I noticed a bit of spirited debating in the archives regarding transgo shift kits. I am not a pro builder, but I build a few a year for buddies.
My own 87 vette has had a B&M kit for years, and although alot of the world hates them, my car has run fine with one for 15 years.
Most guys that ask me to build one, do request the transgo 700 2&3 kit for the non electronic units. They are without doubt, the internet favorite. Because the oldest install is only 1 1/2 years old, I have not been able to get back into the transmissions to verify anything hurt.
I notice Frank, that you are not a fan of them at all, and I am wondering what you have seen fail in regards to the shift kit. The question is not at all a challenge, just curiousity. I want to know what to expect, or look for when these units start coming back for a refresh.

 

Check back through some of my posts. I've pretty much laid out many times exactly what the TG kits tear up.

Frank
CPT

 

I did do a little searching and picked up on a few key points. The load release springs being 1 of them. I never use them, so I feel a bit better about that.
I never felt comfortable removing and discarding the servo snap ring and white spring. Using the gold and silver washers do make me uncomfortable as well.
It makes more sense to me to use a stock servo arrangement and maintain the snap ring, spring and a properly set selective pin.
I have noticed that the 700 2&3 kits no longer contain the accumulator washers or the double springs.

 

I have put together about 6 700r's over the years, all b&m shift kits and billet servo's....never had a problem with one.
A friend built one with the trns go kit and had nothing but problems, ended up going to another type trans....never found out the problem he gave it away

I am curious as to why you would modify the band apply set up other than the way you do with a billet servo type kit. I'm also curious I have never used that kit first hand....just like to know stuff

 

I normally do not use a billet servo. Usually just the vette servo. Transgo has you remove the snap ring and white spring. Then you install washers until the band "feels" right. I am never comfortable doing it this way.

 

I have only had one problem with my oem vette trans with a b&m shift kit. I broke the output shaft and rear planetary. Most of the world seems to hate the B&M kit, but they have worked well for me.

 

I have broken a rear planet before but that was before the shift kit... I thought there was a bulletin about oiling to the rear planet....anyway it had 200K on it so what do you expect....I think the 6 pinion truck planets are a direct drop in too, never tried it tho

 

I agree. I never held the broken planetary against B&M. My trans had 235k and over 3000 1/4 mile passes before breaking. I am wondering if anyone makes a hardened output shaft for a non electronic trans(82-93)