Transgo has been in business since 1959. These were the very first shift kits we installed back in the '70s, and the product line is still great. Transgo offers a shift-improvement kit (PN SK 200-4R) that it claims will correct 3-2 cutloose, 1-2 slide or slide-bump, wrong gear starts, downshift clunk, rough 2-3, late shifts, early shifts, and kickdown delay. Yes, your B&M shift kit should have helped with the delayed shift; however, the more we looked into this problem, the more Transgo came up as the place to turn for help, such as with its reprogramming kit (PN 200-4R-HD2), which is more a race calibration. This may be too aggressive for what you're looking for. It still retains full automatic programming for street use.
Either lower your shift rpm to keep it out of the chip, or install a higher rev limiter (just kidding). We've always had to shift the overdrives about 500 rpm early. It's been more than once that the El Camino was north of 7,000 rpm when the TH700R-4 finally went into Third gear. And each time it did you held your breath. Happy shifting.Source: transgo.com
Round Out The Package
Q: I'm trying to get more pulling power out of the 5.3L engine in my '01 Chevy Tahoe. I have changed the air filter to a cold-air package, replaced the spark plugs, and upsized the spark plug wires. It does run better with these changes, but not as much as I hoped. I pull a small trailer, and on some hills it's just a dog! Thanks.
Bob Trapizona
via email
A: Your best bet with minor bolt-ons is to finish out the standard performance package. You are now getting more air into the engine, but the exhaust is still plugged up. Installing a nice after-cat exhaust will free up the backpressure and round out the easy airflow increases to your engine. Check around for the sound and quality you like. Borla, Flowmaster, and MagnaFlow all build a high-quality exhaust system that will free up your exhaust flow. They each have a different exhaust note and tone. Check the manufacturers' websites for audio and video clips of their exhaust systems.
Now that the exhaust has somewhere to go, you can throw a better tune-up at the engine. Check with Hypertech for information on the Power Programmer III. This trick handheld device plugs into the diagnostic plug under your dash, and with some simple yes/no questions you can pick up real power and fuel economy. The programmer allows you to adjust the tire size, fuel type, speedo corrections, shift points and firmness, rev limiter, and top-speed adjustment to tire quality, and it reads and clears diagnostic trouble codes. A stock Tahoe with a premium fuel calibration had gains of 17 hp and 24 lb-ft of torque at the peaks. This will only complement your cold-air intake and exhaust system upgrades.
Between the exhaust and programmer install on your truck, I'm sure you'll like the extra 20 to 25 ponies they will free up. This should make easy work out of the hills with your small trailer.Sources: borla.com, flowmastermufflers.com, hypertech.com, magnaflow.com
Technical questions for Kevin McClelland can be sent to him at chevyhi@sorc.com.