Shift kit??

[granitestategn]

OK Guys...here's a slow pitch.

A.) I have a bone stock 97K mile tranny. The car will see about 50% strip duty. Do I need a shift kit?

and

2.) What brand of kit is recommended (assuming it's needed)? I don't need to be impressed by big name manufacturers. I just want the good parts. Low price is always nice cause I'm cheap and I can make Lincoln say "UNCLE". :cowboy:

[HairDrier]

I have a PTS Extreme shift kit sitting here if you are interested in it. I am not going to put it in my ailing tranny. I am going to milk it out for a year and then get a Janis tranny probably.

Yes you should get a shift kit and a tranny cooler. This is even more important with a higher stall torque converter. Even the stock converters in these cars generate a lot of heat since they are much higher than a typical stock converter.

[granitestategn]

Bob,

I put a large tranny cooler in last year before I went to the strip. I think it's a 40K GVW B&M unit. I've put a B&M Transpak in a Turbo 350 before. Is the PTS kit about the same as far as install?

[HairDrier]

I have never installed a shift kit before, so I cant say a lot about the install. However I have seen dozens of complaints about B&M and Transgo kits in 2004R's. Avoid these brands. The PTS kit is much more detailed and designed completely around the 200 tranny. I would like to be able to tell you why it is better but I cant because I am ignorant when it comes to trannys.

I bought it thinking it would clean up my 2-3 and 3-4 shifts but since have discovered other problems.

[granitestategn]

Bob,

I did a little digging around Bruce's website. Looks like a nice kit. Sounds like I should do the regulator too, as long as I'm in there. What are you asking for the kit?

[HairDrier]

I can have it to your house for $50.

[granitestategn]

Bob,

I'll take the kit. Why is it that when I pose a hypothetical question, I end up buying something? :shakehand I'll PM you.

[Recklessrob]

Hi Guys,
I installed a B&M in my old 86 Grand Prix (mildly built SBC)
and it worked great. The current owner loves it still.
I have another B&M kit, but I was skeptical about installing
it in my GN. So I bought an Art Carr kit from Cotton's. I'm having the
tranny rebuilt next week. I can let you know how it works
when I get it back. I still have the B&M kit if anyone is interested.
I also have a set of speedo gears for use with a 3.73:1 rear axle.

[Black Box]

I installed the PTS shift kit in my original trans. It wasn't difficult, just pay careful attention and follow the directions, which are very good BTW. There are some valves in the VB that need to come out for modification, but as long as you keep everything clean I wouldn't hesitate to install it. Don't lose any of the roll pins that hold the valves in the VB! :smokin: I did the Pressure Regulator System at the same time, and that was more of a pain in the ass than the shift kit itself was.

Steve

[HairDrier]

Thanks for the post Steve.

Gregg the shift kit is on its way. Thanks

[Recklessrob]

Hi Guys,
I installed a B&M in my old 86 Grand Prix (mildly built SBC)
and it worked great. The current owner loves it still.
I have another B&M kit, but I was skeptical about installing
it in my GN. So I bought an Art Carr kit from Cotton's. I'm having the
tranny rebuilt next week. I can let you know how it works
when I get it back. I still have the B&M kit if anyone is interested.
I also have a set of speedo gears for use with a 3.73:1 rear axle.

Its been in for a few months now. It works great. Shifts are firmer and
exceptionally crisp under boost. Shift points are nearly same as stock,
so there aren't any surprizes. I give it a thumbs up !