B&M ELECTRONIC SHIFT IMPROVER
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Powell River B.C.
I believe the transgo kit allows you to modify your shift points as well as clutch pressures, cost more. The B&M only alters the clutch pressures. All depends what your looking for and how much mad money you have available.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Beaumont Tx
As a transmission mechanic for many years I can tell you that the best bang for your buck will be a Superior shift kit. I have used them all over the years and use Superior in all my own vehicles. As to the B&M controller I have them in all my trucks with electronic transmissions. Also keep in mind that for every improvement you make cooling becomes a bigger priority. Granted when you firm the shifts you are taking away slippage and reducing the heat you would get. My best recommendation is to install a large stacked plate type cooler and take your radiator out of the mix entirely. Another thing I believe all electronic transmissions should have is a good ground strap. I tend to run them from a bell bolt to the frame.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills, Ca
Why take the radiator cooler out of the mix entirely? is there any benefit to doing this? I curently have a small trans cooler piped in after the radiator cooler, but im going to buy a larger cooler.
WSM
WSM
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Beaumont Tx
Radiator coolers have a bad habit of either clogging or developing internal leaks. I have replaced 100s of transmissions because the radiator cooler leaked and allowed antifreeze to enter the transmission. Also you have to look at the fact that with it inline it adds heat to your cooling system. Your truck normally runs between 170-210 degrees. Why would you want all that extra heat being in the transmission. I have seen 50 degree drops in trans temps by taking the radiator out of the mix with a junk tube and fin cooler. My personal trucks run about 150 degrees no matter what I'm towing with them.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Canada
A point that should be made about the rad cooler is that it also warms up the transmission in the winter. Many Electronic transmissions will not not lock the converter until the trans fluid gets to a certain temp. The -30* days we have had this month would mean that there is a good chance the convertor would never lock. The climate you drive in determines whether bypassing the rad cooler is a good idea or not. Don
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills, Ca
Don, I'm in SoCal. Winter to me means 50 deg on a cold day 80 on a warm one. If tranny warm up is the only reason not to bypass the rad cooler then I am probably ok doing it. I am much more concerned about heat in the summer when towing my boat.
Thanks,
WSM
Thanks,
WSM
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
what the part number of the b&m shift kit for the e40d's?the kit with just two wires and costs $44?sounds like a cheap and easy why to end the so soft shifting?thank you all
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: south jersey
I just put a tranny cooler on my truck its a perma cool it is for a vehical with a 30,000 gvw. i bypassed the radiator trans cooler and ran lines straight it. i do not see how the radiator could possibly warm the fluid for the trans. it has been around 20* here since i installed the cooler and the trans has been fine every morning. it really does make a difference i tow a 10,000 lb trailer on the weekends and the trans temp stays right were it should when it used to climb with just the radiator cooler hooked up
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
The part number for the B&M shift kit is 70381. It covers transmission codes D, E, P, L, H, U, and V. They say it's for 95-97 trucks, but if your trans code matches one of the ones listed here, it should work.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I think it is great that by bypassing the cooler in the rad the trans temp has dropped like a stone. What i meant by my comments is this. Different people live in different climates than others. In California or New Jersey cold is one concept. In Manitoba where I am, your 20*F in Jan. would have people going to the beach. We just went thru a 3 week period where the daytime high was 0*F. However in July when its 85* for two weeks straight bypassing the cooler may take some strain off the rad. What ever you choose to do, I think you can't buy a big enough cooler, a trans temp gauge is very important for towing, and so far this has been a very informative thread. Thanks Don
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
From: Near the ocean
Originally Posted by Don Senkow
I think it is great that by bypassing the cooler in the rad the trans temp has dropped like a stone. What i meant by my comments is this. Different people live in different climates than others. In California or New Jersey cold is one concept. In Manitoba where I am, your 20*F in Jan. would have people going to the beach. We just went thru a 3 week period where the daytime high was 0*F. However in July when its 85* for two weeks straight bypassing the cooler may take some strain off the rad. What ever you choose to do, I think you can't buy a big enough cooler, a trans temp gauge is very important for towing, and so far this has been a very informative thread. Thanks Don
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills, Ca
don, I installed my B&M shift improver on my 89 today. Pin #38 EPC is lt blue/yellow. Pin #35 EPC power is yellow/brown. Went for a test drive and there is a noticable difference in the firmness of the shifts on setting 1 even more on setting 2. I have not towed with it yet but it seems well worth the $44 and pretty easy to install. Next mod for me is a huge tranny cooler.
Thank for your help,
WSM
Thank for your help,
WSM
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
I think I mentioned this before but just in case... there's a caution sheet included with the kit that warns against daily driving in the #2 setting. They say the increased hydraulic pressure can cause damage with daily use.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by brownieboy525
I just put a tranny cooler on my truck its a perma cool it is for a vehical with a 30,000 gvw. i bypassed the radiator trans cooler and ran lines straight it. i do not see how the radiator could possibly warm the fluid for the trans. it has been around 20* here since i installed the cooler and the trans has been fine every morning. it really does make a difference i tow a 10,000 lb trailer on the weekends and the trans temp stays right were it should when it used to climb with just the radiator cooler hooked up
BTW, this is the best thread I have found on this subject!