65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Drivetrain => Transmissions => Topic started by: jmos4 on July 25, 2016, 05:15:45 AM
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Hi all,
I've been doing so research on this 66 Buick article on modifying the valve body plate and wanted to know if anyone here has done this modification, as the article I have has a very hard to decipher picture on what hole needs to be opened from .090 to .125.
Regards,
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Hi all again,
Well after some searching on the internet I did find this on Russ Martins web site.
Also found out that there are 2 different valve body gaskets as mine did not have the A & B holes. So I did drill out hole C to 1/8" so will see if it helps. Also found out that Trans-n-go was formerly Research from the article. http://www.transgo.com/contact.html (http://www.transgo.com/contact.html)
As I had to call them to verify which gasket to use.
Regards,
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Good stuff, I'll throw my 2 cents worth. When I bought my GS in 1994 it had a freshly built ST300 by someone in the Upstate NY area. Supposedly similar modifications were done to it. I can't verify that but the ST300 ST400 Guru at the time was Mark DeConti. He made a band adjustment based on old information like this and when he was done that was the best 2 speed I've ever driven. I like the ST300 and personally the biggest issue is no one seems to be able to get Idle micro switch set properly. A "gadget" switch as Pops Kennedy referred to it as is a must have as well. Rob (Stage 1 Performance) and I developed a 3 way switch for the switchpitch trans cars and it worked great. (Fully controlled by the micro switch and kickdown switch, high stall constant , low stall constant) all in 1 dash switch.
Full disclosure, I now have a fixed stall ST400 in the car but I really did like the ST300 with the 3 way switch.
Jerry
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Dear Jerry and mid-60s Buick encyclopedias,
Full disclosure, I now have a fixed stall ST400 in the car but I really did like the ST300 with the 3 way switch.
Okay, I'll admit my ignorance. I've never heard of an ST400 transmission. Could somebody clue me in on what is this beast?
A curious mind wants to know!
Edouard :occasion14:
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ST400 (Super Turbine 400) is the predecessor to the TH400. although it had 3 forward gears it was not possible to manually control the 1-2 gear change. I believe it was only produced for the 64 year model. The SP400 came out the next year and it had a switch pitch converter and the 1-2 shift was manually controllable. I often wondered why the SP400 wasn't available in the GS behind the 401 nailhead. I am building a 65 GS clone and it is going to have a SP400.
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Dear EZ Cool and mid-60s Buick evolutionary biologists, . . . .
ST400 (Super Turbine 400) is the predecessor to the TH400. although it had 3 forward gears it was not possible to manually control the 1-2 gear change. I believe it was only produced for the 64 year model. The SP400 came out the next year and it had a switch pitch converter and the 1-2 shift was manually controllable. I often wondered why the SP400 wasn't available in the GS behind the 401 nailhead. I am building a 65 GS clone and it is going to have a SP400.
WOW! I had no idea of this evolution of GM transmissions. This actually makes much more sense with all these missing details.
THANKS! :icon_thumright: That's what makes this forum da' real McCoy! . . . :glasses9:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Does Transgo make a shift kit for a ST300?
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Hi,
Transgo doesn't make a "shift kit" this article is what I found searching online for tweeks to improve the performance of a st300. I am sure if you gave the article to someone rebuilding a transmission that they could incorporate it.
Also I got my gaskets from Fatsco, and up until yesterday they were unaware thete was 2 different valve body gaskets, even though they had sent me both types, so I believe if you go for this modification get both types so your not left waiting for the correct one.
I have yet to get my car going to see what difference the hole size makes, will let you all know.
Regards,
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Good luck! It will be interesting to hear your report.
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Hi all,
Finally got some miles on my project, mostly driveability issues.
Well the article modifications do help, much firmer shift, still no rocket ship, but much better than any ST300 I can remember.
Regards,