Customers today want a smooth, durable, and efficient transmission all at the same time. An automatic gearbox shift kit is probably one of the most misunderstood modifications in the automobile sector.
Many people are familiar with the words, but few comprehend what a shift kit truly accomplishes or why it is needed. In a nutshell, an automatic transmission shift kit changes the shift timing of the transmission to improve shift firmness and component durability.
This is good since automobile engineers sometimes allow for too much shift overlap, especially when the transmission is switched between two gears at once to enhance shift smoothness. It was this overly smooth, disconnected sensation that gave early automatic transmissions their name.
While the extended shift overlap provides for a very smooth change, it also puts additional strain on the transmission by forcing the friction surfaces to work harder. The extra friction also causes excessive heat generation, which damages seals and clutches as a result of being generated too quickly.
Shift kits for automatic transmissions can reduce the overlapping time and enhance the overall shifting action. Shift kits make it possible for you to utilize energy from slipping during extended overlap to drive movement with quicker shifts, allowing you to not only see improved city fuel efficiency, but also a better rate of vehicle speed.
In exchange for greater durability and improved fuel efficiency, most car owners are prepared to live with faster shift patterns. Furthermore, because shift kits may be installed in a short time without changing the transmission, they’re an easy way to improve performance.
How To Install A Transmission Shift Kit?
What exactly is a shift kit, and why should you install one in your car? We’ve all heard of adding a shift kit to an automatic transmission, but what exactly does it do inside your gearbox? In a nutshell, the upgrade simply changes the fluid flow through the valve body, resulting in firmer shifts and greater efficiency.
Why didn’t the factory do it in the first place? It’s simple. Because most customers would have preferred smooth shifts rather than firm, they would have been returning automobiles left and right, thinking that they’d be better off with smoother shifting.
In general, most people believe that shifts should be seamless. Typically, the main goal of car builders was not total performance, but customer comfort.
It may seem difficult to install a shift kit at first, but this is actually quite simple. The kit will include a steel plate, some springs, and hopefully easy-to-understand instructions from the manufacturer.
When it comes to reprogramming shift drives, there are three primary methods: conventional, electronic, and automatic. Typically, commercially available shift reprogramming kits are utilized so that the driver may chirp his or her tires when they reach Second gear. Let’s be honest here; everyone does it. No matter how loud the tires are, installing one of these kits will give quicker power transmission between gears, albeit at the cost of a smooth, seamless shift. This is excellent for motorsports enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, many people either live with their transmission’s smooth shifts or hire someone to upgrade them. Many people are hesitant to get their hands dirty with the inner workings of an automatic gearbox, but it is true. Installing a shift kit and having to reprogramme a valve body typically requires a few basic tools that you keep at home, along with some time that you could spare in your garage or driveway, according to your skill level.
In addition, having the transmission out of the truck or having the truck on a lift would have made installation much easier.
What Does a Transmission Shift Kit Do?
There are numerous different types of shift kits available, each suited for a distinct job. A performance-oriented shift kit is intended to provide firmer shifts by altering the flow of transmission fluid through the valve body.
A benefit is obtained by hardening each shift, and it’s significant. The quick response time of a shift may be considered a performance improvement, even if it’s only a fraction of a second.
Installing a shift kit may also help your transmission last longer. This is accomplished by lowering the slip and shift overlap that is inherent in every automatic transmission to guarantee smooth shifts.
To install the B&M kit, you must first remove the transmission pan and separate the valve body. In addition, you must drill a hole or holes in the valve body separator plate to allow for the installation of the kit. However, this is something that can be done at home.
The valve body is the nerve center of the automatic transmission, and it holds all of the necessary components for normal operation. It’s a labyrinth of fluid pipes and passageways that distribute transmission fluid to operate the appropriate clutch pack or band servo.
But, what impact does drilling a couple of holes in a sheet of metal have on the transmission’s shift characteristics? The quantity of fluid supplied to a clutch pack is controlled by the fluid feed ports. Increasing the size of a feed hole decreases the amount of material that gets applied to a specific clutch. This gives us the quick, positive shift feel we want to prevent clutch slip.
