B&M shift improver

**KUGS** · 01-04-2011, 10:29 PM

My 01 1500 has 122k on the clock. Trans has never been rebuilt but the shifts are getting softer, a few years ago the were a little soft so put in corvette servo and a bigger boost valve and it shifted good. But it seems that its getting soft. I was thinking about putting in the B&M ShiftPlus Electronic Shift Improver Kit with the little switch to firm up the shifts. Anybody got any input on this, will it work or will i be wasting my money.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70380/

**2500ak** · 01-04-2011, 10:55 PM

No, no, and no terrible idea imo. In lieu of hacking up your wiring harness have the PCM tuned to command higher pressures. This will not fix anything that's failing in the trans, but it might make it last longer.

If you want to beef up the trans itself you might try a real shift kit, replace some parts in the valve body, flush the bastard and change the filter.

One of the more involved shift kits like the Transgo HD2 kits, will shore up most of the engineering problems and make the trans a lot more durable. Unfortunately if it's slipping no shop will touch it, so you'll have to do it yourself.

There are places that have better prices, but Summit carries the kit for around 80$
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRG-4L60E-HD2/

Even then, if the clutches are damaged enough it'll still fail eventually. Is this a soft shift, or is it flaring and slipping up when it shifts?

I'd have a look at the fluid, if it's clear, read, and sweet smelling I'd say it might be worth a try for the money. Only if you do the labor yourself though. If it's even slightly brown, or opaque, or burnt smelling I'd leave it alone and then rebuild it.

**KUGS** · 01-04-2011, 11:08 PM

Well a tuner is out of the question. Im not trying to put that kinda money in this truck, a new truck(2500HD) is coming with in a year so i guess i will just live with it thanks.

**2500ak** · 01-04-2011, 11:17 PM

Not a tuner, that could also make matters worse. Custom tuning, from someone with a copy of EFI live, who knows what they're doing.

Not sure how many custom tuners would write up the tables for a truck with a fragile trans, but I've been very pleased with my tune from blackbear performance, they did a very good job. Tune itself is only 200$, but I kept the old PCM so that adds an extra 100$. Don't waste money on handheld tuners.

Although I agree, waiting for the HD is the way to go.

**KUGS** · 01-04-2011, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by 2500ak

Not a tuner, that could also make matters worse. Custom tuning, from someone with a copy of EFI live, who knows what they're doing.

Well isnt that person a tuner? lol

**2500ak** · 01-05-2011, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by KUGS

Well isnt that person a tuner? lol

Yeah, but whenever I hear "tuner" I all I can think of are those gimmicky handhelds.
I figured you'd probably know to avoid them, but I've been so pleased with the tuning on my truck I usually make mention of blackbear performance anyway.