Installed my shift kit...

[Unofficial]

I put my Transgo shift kit in my 700r4, except I left out a couple of things. I didn't replace the pressure regulator valve spring, and I didn't change the servo thing on the side of the transmission. My friend helped me, and he said he didn't do those things. I was going to, but didn't have luck with either. I couldn't get the c-clip off the PR valve, and my servo on the side was rotted in there or something. When I finished, the shifts were definitely quicker, but not firmer. When my friend floors it in his s10 V6 with the same shift kit in his 4L60E, it breaks the tires loose. But he didn't change his PR valve spring. Would it make that much of a difference if I had another try at the PR spring, or would it not make that much of a difference? I guess I expected too much, because of how my friend's truck shifted with the reprogramming kit, but maybe my clutches/bands are worn or something. Thanks in advance to anyone answering my questions.

[eventhorizon66]

Were you using c-clip pliers?  Did you try pushing up on the boost valve with a long screwdriver to relieve pressure while you try to remove the c-clip?  I personally would not install a partial shift reprogramming kit unless I really knew what I was doing.

[Just-speed]

Dude you need to install all the pieces with the clip.  The servo is by far the quickest and easiest thing to change and it make a huge difference.   Your friend has a lighter S10 so keep that in mind when you compare tires breaking loose.

[Russ130]

I have to agree you skipped the 2 easiest parts of the kit. The servo provides more band pressure which will definately firm the shifts up and having more pressure applied will also do the same. So basically you dropped the valve body drilled like 3 holes larger and removed a few check balls right?

[VileZambonie]

Listen to everyone here. You skipped the most important steps. The servo upgrade allows for positive displacement and will allow the servo to not only apply but release correctly. The PR upgrade is essential.

[Unofficial]

I never said that I was NEVER going to do those things, I just didn't do it all at the same time. I changed my pressure regulator valve spring and got bigger boost/rev valves. All I have to do is get a new seal for my servo cover, because it's rotted pretty bad, and I definitely don't want to reuse it.

[enaberif]

I never said that I was NEVER going to do those things, I just didn't do it all at the same time. I changed my pressure regulator valve spring and got bigger boost/rev valves. All I have to do is get a new seal for my servo cover, because it's rotted pretty bad, and I definitely don't want to reuse it.

What people are saying is do it right the first time so that you don't have to do it again and avoid any problems or troubles you may get into.

[Just-speed]

Yep take the points made and use them.  Do it right bro.   Trannies get costly.  Take it from me. I dont know anyone who has spent more on trannies than I have.  I tend to go overboard.   

Get this. I had an 87 ext cab S10 that I converted over to a small block and upgraded the tranny and etc. I went all out on this truck.  The motor was about 420hp and the tranny was tight. Bro this is where I went wrong. I set it up to shift and run hard. I never thought about pulling loads or anything like that.   I hooked up to my 4000lb trailer one day to go help a friend with something.  Anyways I was at a light and left the light a little to fast. When I shifted into Second gear all heck broke loose.  I lost everything. The tranny was in a million peices. I lost the flexplate, starter , driveshaft, oil and tranny coolers (they were under truck) gashed the floor of the truck wide open.  All this happened because I had the tranny set-up for no load.  Once I loaded it and it shifted something had to give.     Have to put lots of thought into what your doing.....  If your truck will break your neack shifting when your done then lord knows if you add weight to the back of the truck or a trailer you had better be careful......  Lesson.......Plan ahead and think about everything.

[Unofficial]

Ouch, that sucks Just-speed. I did the servo today, and it's shifting pretty firm. I don't think you guys understood me, I wasn't doing it wrong, I just wanted to know how much more of a difference there would be after doing the servo/PR valve. It's not like I was slacking off, I just didn't know what to anticipate. I'll guess I'll just keep to myself.

[eventhorizon66]

Don't do that.  I don't think anyone was jumping your case.  We were just trying to encourage you to finish the installation.

[BigHemi353]

hey, its alright. mistakes are made but its all in the learning process. im 19 and i sure have a heck of a lot to learn... i cant say i wouldn't have done the same thing so i cant blame ya  .  i made the big mistake of buying my truck(joke  ). its a 86 3/4 ton silverado 4x4. i was going to make it a mud truck....then wanted to restore it.....then i wanted to put a 4speed manual trans in it....then wanted to put the 73-80 front end on it... ... i think i bit off more than i could chew but im learning the hard way with my first project.....guys here are just trying to help.... trust me... ive been in your position too... ive put a shift kit in a th400 before at my vocational class back in high school.... kid i did it for burnt it up in a months time too cause he didnt know how to put ATF in! lesson is that the guys here are just trying to save you some money in the long run so you don't tear up your tranny....lol have fun and you got a nice lookin truck man.

Andy

[Russ130]

With a tranny you have to be very meticulous because everything works in synch. Lucky for you and your generation to have access to all the knowledge of a forum and the internet. Lucky for all of us.

There are three kinds of hotrodders.

1) Idiots - never learns from his mistakes and keeps making the same mistakes over and over again. (got a couple neighbors like this)

2) Smart men - Learns from his mistakes and always tries not to make the same mistake twice.

3) Genius' - Not only learns from his mistakes but from others as well and never makes the same mistake twice.

Which one are you going to be?

So stick around and bounce your ideas or questions off as many people as you can get to listen to you. That's how you will learn all the different things that make hotrodding what it is.

For the record - Though privately we acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them, publicly - we never make mistakes, we are trying something new and/or different