[reclusej]

Can any one tell me the pros and cons of putting a shift kit in a TH350 transmission. Good, bad or other wise ?

[WoodsEdge]

I put shift kits in all my trans. Like the harder shifts and find that the clutches last longer due to less slippage.
Jack

[Sandman]

Shift kitting basicly raises the hydraulic preasures in the trans. So as long as it is in good shape to start with should be no problem.

Should you do it, this depends on the application. If you are looking for a silky smooth change i.e smoth ride then dont shift kit it. If however you are looking for a crisper change and less clutch wear as said above then this could be for you. One other point if you are ever going to tow a trailer I would definately have it shift kitted. I run 400 chev through a shift kitted TH400 and it just humms.

Cheers
Sandman

[HotRodS10]

Hey Sandman...I've never installed one of these, can this be done at home by someone with average mechanical skills....I mean I know it doesnt take a rocket scientist but are there a buncha special tools involved? Also, in your opinion, which is the best as far as name brand?
Thanks, HRS10

[ June 24, 2002: Message edited by: HotRodS10 ]</p>

[oldcarguy85]

they are incredibly easy to install. u just drop teh trans pan. take out a couple bolts and bolt everythign back up. its hard under teh car kidna though cause u ahve trans fluid dripping all over u the whoel time. amke srue u let teh trans cool before u do it for a coupel hrs. first time i did it teh trans was still pretty hot and i had hot trans fluid dripping all over me the whoel time

[WoodsEdge]

S10, Like Oldcarguy said they are easy, all have instructions with pictures.You just need simple hand tools. B&M is probably the best, but I normally use NAPA, because of the price and I can pick up locally. Jack

[HotRodS10]

Thanks guys, I'm putting my 350/th350 in my S10 this weekend and was thinking about installing a shift kit before I did but wasnt sure about how hard it would be since I dont know squat about trannys but I think I might give it a try. Thanks again, HRS10

[willys36@aol.com]

Best kept secret is how easy auto trans are to work on. With a good manual to keep track of how it all goes together it reminds me of those rainbow colored stackable donut toys all our kids had as babies! Would much rather rebuild a turbo 350 than a manual gear box!

[hotrodderchris]

A shift kit is easy to do yourself. It's easier if you can have it out of the vehicle. I put one in a Firebird behind a 400 big block. It chirped the tires hitting second taking off from a red light in drive. I recently put one in a 700r4 behind a 327+ in a 4x4 s-10 xtra cab. It turn out to work the same as my old Firebird did. The B&M street/strip one is what I used. You take some ball bearings out and you replace some. You change plates and drill holes bigger. Nothing to it as long as you follow the directions!
Chris.

[novass]

I have a S10 aswell...I dropped in a 350 / 350 combo. I found the shifts to be very weak. I put the truck up on stands and installed a B&M shift kit in about 5 hours with a little help from a friend.....nothing to hard (I am a novice) and I am now chirping into second under moderate acceleration. TRUST ME...YOU WANT TO DO THIS.

[mmetalman]

One of my vehicles is an S10 I put a 3.8 Buick V6 into, very quick but keep blowing transmissions, one TH200, one TH200C & now a TH350. No shiftkits in any. Anyone know of a POB overdrive tough enough?? Anyway I had an old friend a tranny builder most his life said the clutches do last longer with a shift-kit but you must come to a COMPLETE STOP when shifting from forward to reverse or visaversa becuz shift-kits apply much more immediate hydraulic pressure to the clutches than the stock softer transition. This means you must respect the shift-kit's low tolerance for careless behavior like rolling backwards when shifting into a forward gear especially with the revs up abit, as when in a rush to leave but u gotta back out of a parkingspot. Failure to observe this advice may do serious damage to the tranny like ripping the case on a TH350. Otherwise its great & offers better torque and fuel milage.