About a year or two ago my transmission died and I had it rebuilt with the full Transgo shift kit installed. We ended up going with two washers and turning up the pressure on the pc solenoid when it was put back together. After driving it for awhile I realized that it was shifting WAY to hard on the 1-2 shift so we turned the pc solenoid back down to the stock setting. It was better but still shifting hard but I thought it would be alright. Well after about a year driving it like this I decided it's still shifting to hard for my tastes and decided to pull out a washer tonight. I'm glad I did because after cleaning the parts I noticed that the plastic piston was cracked. So now the truck is down for a few days until I get another piston. I'm going to try and see if I can get an aluminum version. Also, I noticed that the spring that installs under the piston is chipping away at the little "buttons" on the underside of the piston and leaving debri in there, wearing away the o-ring. I figured I post about this for those that are thinking of using two washers and the plastic piston.

 

Yea, get rid of the plastic piston. I think that accumulator piston can be had from KDS Performance if I remember right. Same with the spring... Im getting ready for all this transmission fun soon. So Im stocking upon little parts.

 

If you use two washers you really need a looser stall to absorb some of the harshness of the 1-2 shift. Maybe while your truck is down you should replace that stock like stall with something a little looser like a TCI 3800 or something.

 

Yeah I knew that going in to the rebuild but I wanted a firm shift. I didn't realize that it would be as firm as it was.

I'd like to go with a higher stall than this 2000rpm that I have now but unless you plan on buying my next one for me it isn't happening anytime soon.

 

I'm glad you told me that. I was about to put the shift kit in with that plastic piston. The aluminum one I have has a different size pin bore that gave me all kinds of hell when I had it in. Who sells the aluminum piston with the small pin bore?

 

So the shift kit from KDS (with the vette servo) has the plastic piston? Gonna be doing this over labor day and had planned on the vette servo with one washer. Think I'll have that problem?

BTW, do you put your truck on jackstands or ramps and can you get the trans pan off without loosening the exhaust? Any other little tips that may not be in the directions?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

where are you in michigan? i put them in stock for that reason a while ago at work.

 

The shift kit does not come with a new piston. The piston in the 1-2 accumulator housing is plastic and has a small pin diameter. The piston in the transmission case on the other side of the separator plate is aluminum and has a larger pin diameter. The forward accumulator piston (in the valve body) is also plastic and is a smalller diameter piston. I have not found a direct replacement for these plastic pistons. All I can find are pinless accumulator piston converstions or oversize pins replacements for the 1-2 accumulator. Yes, you have to undo the exhaust and it is easier with the truck on ramps or stands. There is also a shift cable bracket held in by two torx bits that also keeps the pan from dropping down. It's very hard to get to with my 4wd. Plastic sucks.

 

The metal version fo the piston accumalator is available at the dealer for about $20. I was told to replace it even with my low milege truck.

 

Would you happen to have a part number? My local dealership seems helpless without one.