Air vs. Elec shifters

Tim H · 06-24-2008, 08:08 PM

Anyone care to make a recommendation for an automatic 3 speed (TH 400) electric or air shifter setup ?
I will be purchasing a new shifter for a reverse pattern and would like to go auto 1-2 shift and possibly auto 2-3 shift .
I dont race at any contingency type races so payouts are not a concern.
Been looking a litte bit at Contender Performance (shifnoid) and also at the Biondo offerings.

Planning on running an alternator and already have MSD 6AL box . ( also have MSD 3 step).

Floyd Staggs · 07-06-2008, 04:55 PM

I have the Precicion Performance air shifter on a reverse pattern t-400. I haven't missed a shift since I put it in. LOL. It's deadly consistent. A little pricey but I felt it was well worth it.

1968chevelle · 07-06-2008, 05:17 PM

Turbo Action makes that cheetah scs shifter, in foward and reverse, those in my opinion are the only way to go, I tried a shifniod on a 3 speed, JUNK is all I can say, the people at shifniod tried to be helpful I must them credit on that, but iI couldnt ever get it to work, testing it it shifted fine, going down the track it would very seldom shift, finaly they told me it was a radio frequenincy problum. I just heard another guy trying one of there new designs, he was having the same trouble. but I know the Cheetah works.....

boss68 · 07-06-2008, 07:22 PM

cheetah wiyh air shift the only way to go. mine works flawless.

boss68 · 07-06-2008, 07:23 PM

cheetah with air shift the only way to go. mine works flawless.

Bob Verwold · 07-06-2008, 09:01 PM

Was having problems with my electric shifter (would shift sometimes and sometimes not) went to an air shifter and it is a very solid shift. Already had air for T/ Stop so just plumed it in. Should have done it years back...........

Carl Juliano · 07-07-2008, 04:13 PM

Been using Biondo electric shift solonoid for over 10yrs, never had an issue, never worry about refilling the bottle or having leaks.

luckydog · 07-08-2008, 09:09 PM

I use a trans king electric vavle body. In my opinion you can't beat them. Everything is done inside the valvebody, just put a chip in it and let it shift itself. 1 12V wire to the RPM activated switch and 1 ground, thats it and the shifter never actually moves!!! However I have a powerglide, I'm not sure if they make one for TH-350 or 400. When I first got the car out I had a TH 350 in it and had a B&M ratchet shifter with a shiftnoid that worked flawlessly. It's for sale too!!!!

`

Bob Verwold · 07-09-2008, 08:43 AM

[QUOTE=luckydog;74905]I use a trans king electric vavle body. In my opinion you can't beat them. Everything is done inside the valvebody, just put a chip in it and let it shift itself. 1 12V wire to the RPM activated switch and 1 ground, thats it and the shifter never actually moves!!! However I have a powerglide,

That is what I have / had before going to air. Hope you have better luck than me................

63corvette · 07-09-2008, 09:43 AM

The internal shift solenoids (inside the pan in the valve body) ARE a problem. It is only a matter of time before you have a problem with them. I think it is the hot fluid and temperature that get them. Then you have to pull the pan along with draining the fluid to change the solenoid.
I build race transmissions and custom build them for what the customer wants. I will not build and sell a customer an internal shift or brake valve body for that reason. They are just a problem.
My 2 Cents

06-24-2008, 08:08 PM	#1
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,039 Likes: 1,057 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Air vs. Elec shifters Anyone care to make a recommendation for an automatic 3 speed (TH 400) electric or air shifter setup ? I will be purchasing a new shifter for a reverse pattern and would like to go auto 1-2 shift and possibly auto 2-3 shift . I dont race at any contingency type races so payouts are not a concern. Been looking a litte bit at Contender Performance (shifnoid) and also at the Biondo offerings. Planning on running an alternator and already have MSD 6AL box . ( also have MSD 3 step).

07-06-2008, 04:55 PM	#2
Floyd Staggs VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,521 Likes: 138 Liked 223 Times in 98 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters I have the Precicion Performance air shifter on a reverse pattern t-400. I haven't missed a shift since I put it in. LOL. It's deadly consistent. A little pricey but I felt it was well worth it. __________________ Floyd Staggs 787 SST

07-06-2008, 05:17 PM	#3
1968chevelle Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters Turbo Action makes that cheetah scs shifter, in foward and reverse, those in my opinion are the only way to go, I tried a shifniod on a 3 speed, JUNK is all I can say, the people at shifniod tried to be helpful I must them credit on that, but iI couldnt ever get it to work, testing it it shifted fine, going down the track it would very seldom shift, finaly they told me it was a radio frequenincy problum. I just heard another guy trying one of there new designs, he was having the same trouble. but I know the Cheetah works.....

07-06-2008, 07:22 PM	#4
boss68 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters cheetah wiyh air shift the only way to go. mine works flawless.

07-06-2008, 07:23 PM	#5
boss68 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters cheetah with air shift the only way to go. mine works flawless.

07-06-2008, 09:01 PM	#6
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters Was having problems with my electric shifter (would shift sometimes and sometimes not) went to an air shifter and it is a very solid shift. Already had air for T/ Stop so just plumed it in. Should have done it years back...........

07-07-2008, 04:13 PM	#7
Carl Juliano Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 294 Likes: 227 Liked 64 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters Been using Biondo electric shift solonoid for over 10yrs, never had an issue, never worry about refilling the bottle or having leaks. __________________ Carl Juliano TS 1275 John Juliano SG 151 Carl Sr.

07-08-2008, 09:09 PM	#8
luckydog Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa, OH Posts: 274 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters I use a trans king electric vavle body. In my opinion you can't beat them. Everything is done inside the valvebody, just put a chip in it and let it shift itself. 1 12V wire to the RPM activated switch and 1 ground, thats it and the shifter never actually moves!!! However I have a powerglide, I'm not sure if they make one for TH-350 or 400. When I first got the car out I had a TH 350 in it and had a B&M ratchet shifter with a shiftnoid that worked flawlessly. It's for sale too!!!! ` __________________ Damien Hazelton Lucky Dog Racing

07-09-2008, 08:43 AM	#9
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters [QUOTE=luckydog;74905]I use a trans king electric vavle body. In my opinion you can't beat them. Everything is done inside the valvebody, just put a chip in it and let it shift itself. 1 12V wire to the RPM activated switch and 1 ground, thats it and the shifter never actually moves!!! However I have a powerglide, That is what I have / had before going to air. Hope you have better luck than me................

07-09-2008, 09:43 AM	#10
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 551 Likes: 127 Liked 353 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Air vs. Elec shifters The internal shift solenoids (inside the pan in the valve body) ARE a problem. It is only a matter of time before you have a problem with them. I think it is the hot fluid and temperature that get them. Then you have to pull the pan along with draining the fluid to change the solenoid. I build race transmissions and custom build them for what the customer wants. I will not build and sell a customer an internal shift or brake valve body for that reason. They are just a problem. My 2 Cents