"trans go" kits

[mrpatel]

I am having my 727 rebuilt this week, the shop is recommending that we install a "trans go" kit. Anyone familiar with it?

[69 Dartified]

I had a Trans Go kit in my 69 GTS back in the early '80's and was quite pleased with it. The guy that installed it for me is still using this kit in the transmissions that he does. The version I had was set up for street/strip and gave strong shifts when shifted. I would not hesitate using the same kit in my present Dart once I get my car to that stage.

[375InStroke]

I've seen this question many times on this and other Mopar boards.  Consensus is Trans-Go rocks, B&M sux.  I installed the Trans-Go TF2 in a 727 I rebuilt, first trans I did, and loved it.  Tried a B&M once before that and it sucked.  Is this a shift/reprogramming kit, or complete rebuild kit?

[mrpatel]

Its a complete rebuild. Thanks for the feedback, I was not familiar with the manufacture. It sounds like the way to go.

[jbarker]

I am currently rebuilding my transmission, and am using the trans-go tf-2 kit.  Since I am still working on it, I can't vouch for the performance yet.  But I can tell you that I researched this topic extensively before buying the shift kit, and I found most people who seem to know what they are talking about use the trans-go kit.  More specifically, almost all people who want their valvebody to retain full automatic function but are running a high performance engine use the TF-2 kit by trans-go.  Not to put down other shift kits, but I really have heard several different people rave about trans-go.  Here's one with a good price:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/727-CHRSYLER-TRANSGO-TF-2-SHIFT-KIT-M-T22171_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ011QQitemZ320209245860QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I am not the one selling the kit and am not affiliated with this seller.  Just wanted to show you a good deal.
Good luck!
-Jay

[PureGTS]

I put a trans-go kit in and had issues. When I talked to my dealership buddies they were in agreement that Trans-go was using the public for R&D. They were getting problems with the 518 kits folks were bringing in to have them install them. When I described the problems I had, they all said the same thing that the trans go kit had the line pressure too high. Their spring had too much tension on it and would damage things.
  The 727 I had, lost reverse and manual first. In other words, the low/reverse band was being killed by excessive line pressure. This band applies when you shift into reverse and manual first using full line pressure to apply it. If it is too high something has to suffer; the band wore out and killed the drum eventually and before that, the piston had cocked twice in the bore. (Adjusted to 72 in/lbs and backed off 2 full turns; 1/2 turn  tight so the piston shouldn't have cocked in the bore!) You shouild really try resetting that servo, on your back, with the trans dripping on you and your hands covered in ATF and trying to over come the return spring AND install the retaining ring at the same time while eaching around the lever to the band itself. It's exciting! 
  Before we get into 'how I was beating the fool out of this thing with some monster motor and racing it around', this was in a 85 D350 Crew Cab long bed with a tired, carb'd, 360 and 4.10's. My wife drove this thing as a daily driver and we used it to tow the race car around a couple times a year. Sorry, a simple car trailer, not even enclosed, and the car weiged 3310 at the time so it wasn't any where near overloaded. The fix was NOT to use their line pressure spring, but to use the OEM spring and increase its tension. Thereby raising the line pressure but not to the extent their spring would.
  I'm not saying that this happens to everyone, but it did me and I found out others were getting the same issues. Maybe they have corrected the problem. I don't know. But I got real good at transmission repairs because of it, so I guess it wasn't all bad. 

[cory]

 love them  had thier stuff in my charger and gremlin and never had a problem.

[oldkimmer]

...............I use trans-go kits 9 outta 10 times, yes there were issues, but Ive learned alot along the way...single most biggest problem is not enough clearance...........kim.............

[68 HEMI GTS]

A & A

[jbarker]

...............I use trans-go kits 9 outta 10 times, yes there were issues, but Ive learned alot along the way...single most biggest problem is not enough clearance...........kim.............

Teach us OldKimmer....... not enough clearance where....and what did you do to fix it?  Thanks!
-Jay

[dangerdawg]

way back when i had an automatic, i had installed a trans-go tf2 kit, liked it very much, and i do remember something about useing the stock spring. it was used in a 74 power wagon 4wd, what a hoot.

[440-4sp]

I bet any problems attributed to the TF-2's were botched installs.     I'm no master mechanic by any stretch, but the one I put in my TnT Chrysler runs like a bat outta hell.  C-Bod chirps 2nd at WOT.  Just follow the instructions to the letter and you'll be quite happy with it.   

[IL.DART340- 4SP]

I have never used the TF2 so I have no opinion on it.I have not heard any bad things about it. My tranny. guy who has been rebuilding trans. before I was born and Im 46 does not use them.He set mine up in my 66 Charger off the line pressure and some of his other tricks.Stock convertor hemi bands etc. Man I picked it up from his shop and drove it home wow what a difference from when I drop it off. I went in the house and called him.Said what the hell did you do?It shifts so hard in 2nd gear that it chirps the tires.Even at just normal driving speed.He said thats exactly the way I set it up to do. I test drove it and I like it just like that.No problems at all in 7 years I just took it in for fluid and filter service in Nov. 07 and he checked every thing else out and said he made some minor band adjustments also.I think it even shifts a little harder now then it did after fresh rebuild. He has a customer for life with me. Sorry for ramblining on the old guy knows his stuff.I on the other hand do not thats why I take it to him.

[65 SIGNET]

I had the TF-2 and the TF-3 and both work great for many years of service would not use any other kit

[guzzimike]

TF-1 or TF-2 for a street-only Daily Driver..?

383/ 2800 Stall Converter, 3:91 SG.


Thanx

[440-4sp]

The TF-2 is the only one I am familiar with.  It comes with two or three "optional" mods, IIRC.  One is a manual downshift mode, and I forget the other two.  I installed it full-up with all mods.  Seems perfectly street friendly to me.  Just alot better/firmer, under throttle.  Hardly notice the difference driving normal/liesurely.

[jbarker]

TF-1 or TF-2 for a street-only Daily Driver..?

383/ 2800 Stall Converter, 3:91 SG.


Thanx

Hey Guzzimike-
I'd go for the TF-2 for your set-up.  TF-1's are generally reserved for RV's, towing, etc.  TF--2's are more oriented to a performance street machine such as your's.
-Jay

[guzzimike]

Hi, Jay...Thank you.

I just spoke with Art Carr in person about 2 hours ago. His shop, California Performance Transmission, is about three miles north of my house.

http://www.cpttransmission.com/

I told Art what I wanted performance-wise from my Torqueflight (ie: exact shifing when I wanted it to shift), and he said that he could do it for about $200.00 and in one day's work.

He talked about doing something to the valve body, tweaking the governor, and some other Black Magic stuff that all went over my pointy head....

But Art Carr is a BonaFide Automatic Transmission Guru, and an Original Mopar DragRacer (from the early 1960s), so I feel warm and fuzzy about him working on my Dart's Tranny  innards...

[jbarker]

Guzzimike- That's cool.  I know how you feel.  I spoke to Carl Munroe- the guy that literally wrote the book on rebuilding 727's.  I called his company to order some parts and he answered the phone himself (I don't know who else I thought would answer the phone  ).  He spoke to me at length about what I was doing to my transmission, and I really got a kick out of the fact that I was personally getting advice from a guy that wrote the book I read.  Hope it works out good for ya.

[guzzimike]

Yaeh..!

Ain't it cool to talk in person with these legends..?

It's like talking to Iskenderian and Gurney...

[oldkimmer]

...............I use trans-go kits 9 outta 10 times, yes there were issues, but Ive learned alot along the way...single most biggest problem is not enough clearance...........kim.............

Teach us OldKimmer....... not enough clearance where....and what did you do to fix it?  Thanks!
-Jay

...............Any 1 wanting info can p/m me or email............kimrudniski@sasktel.net           I look forward to helping any1

[PureGTS]

As for a bad install; I don't think so. This was far from my first time in a trans or valve boby. I've gotten to the point of giving classes on "how to" rebuild your 727 in my driveway. That was my first time dealing with a trans go kit (TF2) as I usually just readjust the OEM stuff to get what I want. That time I wanted to "do it right" with a "kit" since the wife was involved; and look what I got for my efforts...   . Throwing away the accumulator sping and cranking up the line pressure is really about all you need. (ie: poor man's shift kit) And, if you get right down to it, that's really all their kit, and most kits too, does. My old GTS Dart was well known for this unGodly first to second chirping no matter how nicely you drove it. (Local cops were a bit more forgiving back then than they are now.) And that was without a "kit"; just proper adjustments.

[guzzimike]

As for a bad install; I don't think so. This was far from my first time in a trans or valve boby.  <snip>

Re: the T-G Kit....My source generally agrees with you.

[440-4sp]

...This was far from my first time in a trans or valve boby.

Yep, that would explan it.