Transgo Shift kit or TCM upgrade from GDE??

vshockey10 · **Joined:** Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:28 am **Posts:** 59

So like it says in the title should I do both or just one or the other? My Buddy's Dad builds diesel pulling trucks for a living and he told me to get a shift kit to pull my boat. Then I have read on here that the TCM tube will just over ride anything the shift kit does. is that true? I am going for strengthing the trans and trying to prolong its life as well as good fuel mileage

lets here your opinions!

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:58 pm

If you install the full Transgo kit, it will replace the valve in the front pump that goes bad and trashes the converter. Install the rest of the kit in the valve body, it firms up the shifts with the new springs and replaces the week valve retaining plate that can fail and destroy the valve. There are other shift valve enhancements available that go way beyond the Transgo kit, Suncoast will sell them to you if you have the money. Suncoast can mod your trans so it can handle 400HP+, since the VM 2.8L can't go much beyond 225HP with out a lot of extra work and risk taking, the 400HP 545RFE option is for those who want to pay for it. Suncoast learned what they know about the 545RFE (little brother) by doing a lot of testing (some destructive) with the 68RFE (the big brother) bolted up to 800HP Cummins engines.
Any TCM tune will change the shift points and maybe change the line pressures. If the line pressures are not what the TCM likes, it will adjust them to what it wants to match your driving. Tow a load, the line pressures will go up and the trans will shift a little firmer for a while until the TCM learns to reduce the pressures for lighter duty.
Changing line pressures as part of a TCM flash is Kinda like getting a PHD in Humanities and selling Insurance, you might be the best insurance salesman or you might not be. You still need to learn how to sell, but in some markets the PHD will snag more sales.

I did the Transgo kit when I upgraded to the Suncoast converter.
My TCM is from another 545RFE application with much lower shift points, I went that way instead of buying a TCM tune so I could mine data (one of my passions is research beyond the books). My transplanted TCM kept the original shift points, but learned the correct line pressure requirements to match the CRD and my driving in a few hundred miles. If I put the transplanted TCM back into the original application, it would relearn the line pressures in a few hundred miles. In fact, the TCM relearned the line pressures after every performance mod I made. For now, I am keeping it.

Think of it this way the Transgo kit or other ~$350 valve body rework is a hardware upgrade.
The TCM tune is a Software upgrade.
I would go for the hardware first to protect your investment then think about the software upgrade if you like and want the benefits of altered shift points. Those who sell the TCM tune should be happy to show you the shift points their TCM tune has.

vshockey10 · **Joined:** Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:28 am **Posts:** 59

Well thank you for the great write up!

I am actually going out to North Aurora today to do some custom carpentry for my Aunt in her new house. If you have any parts you want to sell that I need maybe we can meet up tonight call or text me 847 502 4174

Back on subject I will be installing a transgo for sure to protect the trans a little better for sure now.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:05 am

Quote:

If you install the full Transgo kit, it will replace the valve in the front pump that goes bad and trashes the converter.

FYI, to replace the valve in the front pump you will have to drop the tranny and remove the TC before
you can get to the pump.
The kit also includes a few new snap rings for the clutch packs but you wont get that deep into it
without doing a full rebuild.

The rest of the kit is pretty easy to do and dont forget to get a new set of filters to go with it.

TIP: Organize and label all the new and old valve body springs. They all look the same.

changingtime · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:26 am

I have the Transgo Shift kit and the GDE trans tune.

The transgo fixes the pump problem and the GDE Tune is plain out awesome. You do get more driving vibration, basically makes it feel more like a truck (especially when you are in 4 wheel full time).

I also have a Honda CRV...it drives similar to it now (i'm only referring to the RPM's). When you slow down, the needle doesn't just drop. this is how my honda drives.

But if I had a choice...I would only get the GDE Trans Tune.

nickademus · **Joined:** Mon May 09, 2011 2:15 pm **Posts:** 54

anyone know which part number to order from transgo?

seems like a good idea to do it while im swapping out the TC.

http://www.transgo.com/transgocatalog0206.pdf

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:24 am

I forgot to mention I replaced both my filters, would not do it any other way.
Beware that a company named Filtran sold the crap made in China filters to Chrysler and others. Some jerks dumpster dived and sold the crap on eBay. The crap filters Chrysler rejected from Filtran were reboxed and sold under house brands.
If you have or get one of these crap filters, it may split where it mates with the trans and you are screwed.
NAPA and WIX have some good stock (others may too, don't know) if you can avoid the Made in China. Not all the made in China filters are crap, but as far as I am concerned, 545RFE trans filters made in China are like sex offenders (not counting the one who celibates his girl friends 18th birthday one minute too soon), best to be avoided.

vshockey10 · **Joined:** Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:28 am **Posts:** 59

changingtime wrote:

I have the Transgo Shift kit and the GDE trans tune.

The transgo fixes the pump problem and the GDE Tune is plain out awesome. You do get more driving vibration, basically makes it feel more like a truck (especially when you are in 4 wheel full time).

I also have a Honda CRV...it drives similar to it now (i'm only referring to the RPM's). When you slow down, the needle doesn't just drop. this is how my honda drives.

But if I had a choice...I would only get the GDE Trans Tune.

now when you say this. did you gain an mpg? and do you have a link from where you ordered it from?

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:14 pm

Suncoast sells Transgo shift kits.
Here are two places that also sell at a good price and one that is a rip off: http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CEsQ8wIwBQ

:google:

Transgo Shift kit or TCM upgrade from GDE??

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