Has anyone had any experience with the ATP "shift improver kit"? We stock a REALLY old kit here at my work and was cthinking about slapping it in... Its an a904 in a Volare wagon with highway gears so its a tank and Im not sure if it would be worth while or not.... Have to change the filter and looking like Im going to have to drop the trans out anyway to replace the front converter seal...

_________________
"if it aint broke, fix it till it is"
78 Plymouth Volare Super Six wagon
89 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v
92 Chevrolet K1500 5.7
98 Ford Escort ZX2 zetech

I have only ever used Transgo shift kits, but I heartily recommend them for any 904 application. I put one in an worn out 904 in my brother's 1983 Dodge van and it made a big and noticeble difference (in a good way!).

I can't imagine the ATP shift kit is much different than the transgo kit.

Thanks Reed, thats good to know. Here when Im ready to service her Ill install it. The trans is really fresh already, only a few thousand miles on it.

_________________
"if it aint broke, fix it till it is"
78 Plymouth Volare Super Six wagon
89 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v
92 Chevrolet K1500 5.7
98 Ford Escort ZX2 zetech

Over the years I have used several different shift kits. I like the transgo the best. You can get an idea of the differences, by what is included in the kit, and what mods need to be done. You can download the transgo instructions from their website.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I have a Full Manual VB Transgo TF-2 In the Ruster Racecar over 500+ 12 Second Blasts on the 904 with it = No Problems


Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Looking at the kit it seems to be a pretty basic kit. They call it a "shift improver kit", just has a few springs, a drill bit, the plate to drill into the valve body and instructions for the install and final adjustments....

Like I said it is a VERY OLD kit thats been on our shelf for the last 5-10 years lol...

_________________
"if it aint broke, fix it till it is"
78 Plymouth Volare Super Six wagon
89 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v
92 Chevrolet K1500 5.7
98 Ford Escort ZX2 zetech

Disclaimer: I haven't done it yet....


By carefully reading the instructions of the transgo kit, and some the other kits, you can figure out what they are doing and you don't need to buy a kit at all.

If memory serves, you remove a couple of ball bearing check valves, and drill out one of the passages. And I think there was a couple of adjustments (It's been awhile, so I'd have to figure it out again when I get around to it....)


You get about the equivalent of a transgo TF1 kit.

Since you aren't buying anything I called it a TF0 kit

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Claims on the kit from the instructions:

1: eliminates 2-3 shift overlap
2: firmer 2-3 shifts (I assume from the decrease in overlap)
3: firmer 1-2 shifts
4 claims 600% more oil for high-gear
5: expanded pressure by-pass for safer high RPM operation and cold start....

Seems the have you drill at leat on hole out in the valve body maybe two, and repalce a couple of the springs as well as the final adjustments after the mods have been done...

_________________
"if it aint broke, fix it till it is"
78 Plymouth Volare Super Six wagon
89 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v
92 Chevrolet K1500 5.7
98 Ford Escort ZX2 zetech

Been a while since I installed the Transgo TF1 in the trans, but I believe I had to drill at least one passage and change some springs. can check the instructions. I have them somewhere in my garage.

Frank Adkins has the pattern and steps in his book along with the accumulator shim. I done it to two 904's and had no problems with them, it did firm up the shifts and made the tranny feel more positive even in a late A-body with 2.76 gearing.

Thanks for all the replies, I know ATP is a great company, my store deals with alot of thier other products and they are top notch!

The A904 is in my 78 Volare wagon with what I believe to be the 2.76 gearing. Im primarily interested in the extended trans life, especially being in such a big heavy car.

_________________
"if it aint broke, fix it till it is"
78 Plymouth Volare Super Six wagon
89 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v
92 Chevrolet K1500 5.7
98 Ford Escort ZX2 zetech