Transgo TF-2 or TF-1?

dave79

dave79

New member
I am rebuilding my tranny(727 torqueflite) and I was going to put the tf-2 in it but before I picked it up I was going to see what you guys thought. I drive my Scout on the streed alot is the tf-2 going to be a little too rough. Is anyone running the tf-2 if so I would love to here what you guys think.
Thank you
 
After 40 years of doing 727 builds...my opinion... A transgo tf-1 install is a waste.

Having an immediate, firm shift as provided by the tf-2 mods is good! The designed-in "smoothness" and vague feeling of shifting in any oem trans is not desirable for performance or long-term durability.

And if you are not doing wot acceleration mode, then the transmission doesn't feel much different than stock, unless ya have a trailer on

I've sworn by the tf-2 installs for many years, in fact I won't guarantee any trannys I build unless a shift kit is installed. However, I have some very similar systems in transit from B&M now to try out. In the past, I didn't think the B&M system was near as effective as the trans go...but things have changed and when ya compare the two systems side-by-side, they are virtually identical both in installation technique and the issues addressed.

So...I'm willing to try some out and compare the effectiveness. Especially since ihon is a B&M dealer. A full report on the installation and effectiveness will be forthcoming soon regarding a tranny I'll be building for a fellow club member.

And the installation of the tf-2 system is covered in this thread:

http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.co...-transgo-shift-reprogramming-kit-install.html

By the way...the vehicle under discussion in this thread is running a "built" 727 and now has about 50k miles on the slushbox, is equipped with a tf-2 set-up and has had the oil changed and bands set three times in that period. And it gets hammered in daily operation especially when performing tow duty:

http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/readers-rides/2945-beaters-third-life.html
 
Dave...ya can go to the B&M website and download the install instructions for the transpak kit, p/n 10228. That gives you an idea of what's involved and you can see that the mods are virtually identical to what I outlined in the trans go thread.

You May not want to include the feature that allows a shift into manual low gear at any road speed...that's a personal preference thing that needs to be carefully thought through after considering who May be driving the rig in the big picture over time.

Installing either system will still allow full manual shifting up and down when you need to, that is a major consideration when towing or running the trails...I hardly use the brakes at all!

If I didn't feel the B&M system was as effective as the t-go, I would have never considered it for my own work,...I'm really looking forward to doing one!
 
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One of my buddies that used to own a tranny shop built it my last time, he pulled springs so it goes into low at any speeds and I like it. Doesnt that transgo kit have that feature?
 
dave79 said:
one of my buddies that used to own a tranny shop built it my last time, he pulled springs so it goes into low at any speeds and I like it. Doesnt that transgo kit have that feature?
Click to expand...

If ya go to post #7 in that trans go install thread, that covers the mod for the "shift command" option. So you can perform that step or not, your option. It makes no difference in tranny performance/operation otherwise, only adds the ability to jerk it into manual low gear at 60mph with obvious consequences depending upon available traction! In some cases, that could save yore azz on the trail...in other cases it will create an issue regarding how to repair a hole in the block that the rod peeks through! Even IH sv motors have rpm-related limitations!
 
Well since I have that feature now and there is no shift kit in it now. That 1>2 governor valve is probably already ground down right. Or is there another way to do it?
 
I'm certainly no expert in the hydraulic systems on these boxes, I don't try and re-invent the wheel, I just install the kits!

But...quite often I find these trannys/valve bodies have been modded over the years by folks trying to replicate the shift kits without actually spending the cash!

For instance, I find the separator plates drilled in all kinds of ways but none of the companion parts installed to make any difference in operation.

Same for cutting down the various spools, shimmed springs, etc. So now...on any 727 overhaul, every valve body gets completed stripped for cleaning and verification of correct parts with no juryrig stuff. After 30+ years of cheepazz IH "previous owner" junkyard dawgs scruuin' over this stuff, that is the only way to make sure everything is right.

Back when these trannys were being rebuilt in high volume every day in commercial shops, each builder learned some detailed mods that could be performed to "cure" certain perceived problems. So there is no telling what could have been done in the past.

So take your time with the valve body (and everything else!) and verify what ya got going in before drilling a hole, or grinding something that could create issues down the line.

These are extremely durable transmissions right off the assembly line...all the tricks and techniques that trans-go (and many other companies) developed over the years were with the idea of improving durability and performance when stuck behind motors that made far more power than they were designed to handle! And for continuous use in towing applications that are much more severe than most drag race apps where the tranny is cycled maybe fifty times and then rebuilt again...over and over and over.
 
I started pulling everything today. One more quick question for you. I can purchase the tf-2 from summit or whatever store online for about 70 bucks. Now from transgo it is $149. Do you happen to know if there is a difference in the two?
 
A tf-2 kit is a tf-2 kit!

A few years back, transgo began to incorporate what they referred to separately as the "no yoyo" valve kit into the tf-2 kit. And at one time they marketed a version that included an instructional video also with a different part number for identification purposes. No doubt there is still a supply of both items at wholesale transmission parts warehouse distributors.

Currently, when ya see the tf-2 kit it includes all components and a revised instruction set...but no video.

Current suggested retail for that item is $129 but street price can be all over the place.
 
erik vanrenselaar said:
I was under the impression that the tf-2 kit is now incorporated in the sk-tfsc kit from transgo. Is that right?
Click to expand...

Yes...transgo markets this stuff in various ways, under various control numbers. Even more confusing are the kits they supply in bulk form to commercial tranny builders. And...they do a "private label" deal with many of the tranny component suppliers who incorporate the stuff in their own house brand master rebuild/upgrade kits which include soft parts, hard parts, and frictions...just a bag containing all the stuff with no instructions and some components eliminated because the tranny "kit" seller wants to include their own version of "stuff".
 
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