[Regal Beagle]

I am wanting to add a stage 2 kit to my SBC Regal 200 4R but I am confused as to the difference between a shift kit and a reprogramming kit.
Do I need just onre of these or both to a\maximize performance?

[kleen56]

shift kit and reprogramming kit is the same thing. The shift kit basically reprograms the shift pattern of the transmission by redirecting the flow of fluid with the use of a pattern, springs and a ball bearings. Some guys swear by shift kits and most transmission builders claim they are a waste of money and a transmission can be built to run better than with a shift kit. Trans Go is well known and one of the best kits available. B&M is another option. I'm not running a shift kit in my C4 transmission and it hits pretty hard without it. I have run them in the past and it will definitely make the tranny hit harder and crisper on shifts. You can even program the tranny for manual shifting.

[jakeshoe]

Beagle,
You want the Reprogramming kit from Transgo. It is their performance kit. The "Shift Kit" is a fix it kit for common issues for a stock transmission, and is also trademarked by Transgo, that is why nobody else can legally use that term.
B&M doesn't make a "shift kit".

The Transgo stuff is usually well engineered and does more than just "hit hard".

[SSedan64]

Originally Posted by Regal Beagle

I am wanting to add a stage 2 kit to my SBC Regal 200 4R but I am confused as to the difference between a shift kit and a reprogramming kit.
Do I need just onre of these or both to a\maximize performance?

The shift kit usually just has a few drill bits & maybe a spring for enlarging seperator plate holes. The reclibration kit has shift kit contents plus large TV & Low/Reverse boost valves, valve springs, servo spring, modulator spring etc.. much more complex and the one you should get.
Tip, don't use the washers on the servo pin or use the tight wound spring on the 1-2 shift valve.
2004R-HD2kit if you plan to stay with TransGo products.

[kleen56]

[QUOTE=jakeshoe]Beagle,
B&M doesn't make a "shift kit".

Jakeshoe. just for your information, B&M does make a kit, but they call it "shift improver kit" If you look at the kit, it is very similar to Transgo shift kit/ reprogrammer kit. I've installed the B&M kits before and they work well.
http://www.jegs.com/p/B&M/747997/10002/-1

[Regal Beagle]

Things are much clearer than they were guys.
Thanks for the helpful replies.

Cheers

[hrodgmc]

I prefer Gil's shift kits as he does contract work for any hydraulic system (trans related or not) and has decades of thermodynamics theory and operation
Transgo does offer just correction kits and occassionally does consulting for a few oem's. I was told by a gm trans engineer to use Gil's stuff as they watched what he did.......and made some improvements based on his kit.

[jakeshoe]

[QUOTE=kleen56]

Originally Posted by jakeshoe

Beagle,
B&M doesn't make a "shift kit".

Jakeshoe. just for your information, B&M does make a kit, but they call it "shift improver kit" If you look at the kit, it is very similar to Transgo shift kit/ reprogrammer kit. I've installed the B&M kits before and they work well.
http://www.jegs.com/p/B&M/747997/10002/-1

I'm very well aware of the fact that B&M makes a "kit" but I also know that they can't use the term "Shift Kit" because that is trademarked by TransGo.

I've rebuilt MANY of the transmissions that have came in with the B&M kit in them and broken parts, so I tend to disagree on their "effectiveness". Yes they make the trans shift harder but with serious consequences.'

The point is,
there IS a technical difference between a "Shift Kit" and a "Reprogramming Kit" and the original poster was asking specifically about the TransGo products, which I also have extensive expience with. Before you try to "correct" someone, you might want to read a bit deeper, their level of experience may be more than you assume.

[kleen56]

I'm not going to get into a pissing contest here on who has more experience here even though I have several years on you. The reason we are here is to give people advise or suggestions with their automotive needs or questions. Sometimes its wrong advice, worthless advice, good advice. We all try to help here with our expertise or knowledge on a subject. You made the statement, "B&M does not make a shift kit" I merely provided information that they do make a shift improver kit, similar to a "shift kit" I'm well aware that Transgo has the rights to "shift kit" name, I'm also aware that the kits are not the same, but your statement states that B&M does not make any type of kit. My intention was merely to correct that and provided proof that they do make something similar. As I mentioned in a previous post, I prefer having a transmission without any shift kit,as do the several people I race with and attend car shows with. If the transmission is put together correctly, or by someone who knows what they are doing, that transmission will run just fine under any condition of driving. Perhaps you should talk to people who build racing transmission and ask them their opinion on "shift kits"? I would recommend the "shift kit" if your transmission is old, fails to shift well and Transgo is a reputable name to go with. B&M is also reputable name and gives one choices. It will bring some life back to the transmission or at least until it needs to be gone through. If you read further, you'd notice another poster mentions Gil's shift kits, neither Transgo or B&M and the original poster stated, "things are much clearer now!, Thanks" I for one appreciated your input!

[jakeshoe]

Originally Posted by kleen56

Perhaps you should talk to people who build racing transmission and ask them their opinion on "shift kits"?

I build racing transmissions, and have been doing so for several years now. I talk to peers in the industry often. A couple who frequent this forum.

My opinion is, only TransGo makes a "Shift Kit". They coined the term and have fought in court to keep it trademarked. You have to be careful about what you call a shift kit, and this is why B&M and others cannot use tha phrase.

I call it a valve body kit, and in many cases they do several things that increase the longetevity of a trans. I do my own valve body mods in many cases but in certain units still use TransGo products.

You are still making assumptions and the point isn't to start a pissing contest.

I never said B&M didn't make a kit, they simply don't make a "shift kit" for the reasons above.

[Regal Beagle]

[QUOTE=jakeshoe]

Originally Posted by kleen56

I'm very well aware of the fact that B&M makes a "kit" but I also know that they can't use the term "Shift Kit" because that is trademarked by TransGo.

I've rebuilt MANY of the transmissions that have came in with the B&M kit in them and broken parts, so I tend to disagree on their "effectiveness". Yes they make the trans shift harder but with serious consequences.'

The point is,
there IS a technical difference between a "Shift Kit" and a "Reprogramming Kit" and the original poster was asking specifically about the TransGo products, which I also have extensive expience with. Before you try to "correct" someone, you might want to read a bit deeper, their level of experience may be more than you assume.

Jakeshoe, please tell me from your experience, would you recommend transgo and if so am i better to go with the Shift Kit or the Reprogramming Kit?

[C-10]

Ahhh!

Buy the "____kit" that matches the application and what you want it to DO for crying out loud...

Like Gil says: 'It's not fussy'



I love passionate conversations.

[jakeshoe]

RB,
The transgo reprogramming kit is what you want for performance use. The SK is for correcting common problems on a stock type application.

[Crosley]

I've built a few high performance automatic transmissions and racing transmissions the past few decades. I still learn new stuff each week.

Usually I average 325+ trans across my benches a year the past 10 years.

In the future , it may be best to mention B&M and other companies can not use the term shift kit , they use terms like : shift improver kit, shift recalibration kit .... what ever. I've mentioned this many times on discussion boards

on to the subject at hand:

If you want max performance from the 200-4r trans , for the DIY person i would suggest the TransGo kit 200-4r HD2 kit. A billet aluminum servo known as the "Super Servo" would also be suggested.



Jake has extensive knowledge on this 200-4r trans and can provide additional tips via email or the PM system.