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Shift kit worth it for daily driver?
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44686		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  b5cuda [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Shift kit worth it for daily driver?
Hi, looking for opinions/experience on shiftkits. I'm getting ready to install an A904 (1970 vintage) behind my mostly stock slant 225. Stock torque convertor, 2.76 rearend, daily driver mostly around town. Trans is standard as far as I know with 68K original miles. Before I sling it behind the motor in my Dart, I'm wondering whether it's worth installing something like a TF1 kit to give better snap and life to the trans? I appreciate the replies,
Bill
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 2:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
I like the TransGo TF1 kit a lot. Shift quality/feel is improved. Extra durability? Yeah, that too, but who cares? The Torqueflite is far stronger than it needs to be in stock form.

If nothing else, spend some time, attention, and money on a careful band adjustment and good quality fluid, then prevent pesky leaks: Nice new pan, if you need one, with unwarped rails can be had from the dealer under p/n 52118 779AB, and it even includes a spiffy magnet to catch metallic shavings. Whether you go that route or use your existing pan, save yourself a bunch of current and future hassle: Discard the floppy cork or rubber pan gasket that comes with the filter kit. Instead, from the Chrysler dealer get the really nice double-seal, reusable rigid pan gasket P/N 4295 875AC.
Author:  mfdu [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
oh snap!
just when i'm planning on putting her on blocks for a weekend in the neighbours driveway and doing a bunch of jobs (including checking her bands), you go and put this post up!

chris.
Author:  b5cuda [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
As always, great advice Dan!
BTW, down the road I'm already planning to follow your HEI conversion as well as headlamp bypass. Much obliged!
Bill
Author:  64 Convert [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 5:59 am ]
Post subject: 
I've owned only one daily driver with a shift kit, and it was too long ago to remember the brand, but it was referred to as a street-strip model. I vividly recall the firm, quick shifts with the accompanying tire chirp under full throttle, and especially the annoying, often bone-jarring shifts at part throttle.

If I was going to do a lot of racing, I'd go for it, but for a grocery getter and cruiser, there is no way.
Author:  bigslant6fan [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  ,
Installing a shift kit is like putting a cam in an engine. It just depends how hot you want it to be. The Trans-go SK-TF-SC "no-yo-yo" would be my first choice, with the TF-1 being the absolute hottest for a stock converter. Here, I got a zero buck trans secret for you. Most '70-up non-HP car trans don't even have the line pressure adjusted to "service manual" specs. You
need to drop the pan and make the following tools:

Image

The first pic shows an 3/16" Allen wrench shortened to adjust the line pressure w/o removing valve body. It's a tight squeeze to clear the inner case, so keep grinding it down a little bit and checking. The "T" shaped tool is a gauge to check line pressure adjustment of 1 5/16".

Image

Using the tool, adjust spring retainer. Rotating Allen screw counter-clockwise draws retainer toward valve body, increasing line pressure.

Image

If you're NOT a tool junkie who likes making the "perfect tool for every purpose", you can just use a 1/4" rod or drill bit as shown. An increase in line pressure causes the trans to shift firmer, and slightly increases shift points too. Are you feeling froggy? Then adjust inward another full turn or two, but check that you don't run out of adjuster threads. Some trans shops adjust them in father than this but I don't recommend this w/o professional valve body mods. So, if you find one like that, leave it alone.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I've owned only one daily driver with a shift kit, and it was too long ago to remember the brand, but it was referred to as a street-strip model. I vividly recall the firm, quick shifts with the accompanying tire chirp under full throttle, and especially the annoying, often bone-jarring shifts at part throttle.
That's way beyond what you get with a TF-1.
Author:  polkat [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
I also prefer the Transgo stuff. I've used them in Mopars, Fords, and Chevys and they always worked better then anything else I've tried. And remember, it's not just firmer shifts you get with the kits; shifting is improved, slipping and other frictions are decreased which means longer life overall to the tranny.
________
EXTREME VAPORIZERS
Author:  1974duster kev [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 3:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've used an off the shelf B&M shift kit worked fine shifted fast for my daily driver when it was auto.

Kev
Author:  WagonsRcool [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
While you have the trans out, put a new torque converter/ front pump seal in.
Author:  b5cuda [ Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great input guys - will do the pan gasket, "Noyoyo" shift kit, and tc seal. I'll also take a look at line pressure, thanks everyone!
Author:  Chuck [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:40 am ]
Post subject: 
When I had my shop, it was in an extra bay of a trans shop. The owner of the shop told me that the TF didn't need a shift kit. He would just turn up the line pressure (as mentioned above). This was his opinion, but he was quite a good tranny guy (also had a Slant powered '62 Savoy running on gas/propane).
Author:  Reed [ Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
+1 on the Transgo shift kit. I installed one in (one of) the transmission(s) I used in my brother's van and I really liked it. It is very easy to install, it really firms the shifts up but not so harsh you don't want it in a daily driver.

If the transmission is from 1970, or really any year, I HIGHLY recommend installing or making sure that the transmission has a part-thottle kickdown. I have read that all slant six transmissions post 68 had part throttle kickdown, but I recently rebuilt three slant six 904s, one 73, one 78, and one 83, and the ONLY transmission that had the part-throttle kickdown was the 73.

If you don't have part-throttle kickdown, you can get them from Pat Blais' eBay store for under $75.
Author:  BUCKET 636 [ Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Author:  sixinthehead [ Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Tuppence
+1 for a shift kit. I have tried a few different brands, and have had good results with all of them.

+1 for the low-buck stuff, too. In 1987 (ish?) I got a 904 from a JY ($75) to go behind a 318 in my blue car. Turned up the line pressure, blocked off the accumulator with a chunk of pipe, and all these years and 120k miles later it still barks the tires at full throttle.

x100 for part-throttle kickdown. Should be a must-have for all these trannys, since it makes such a huge improvement.
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