Nightrider350

(First off, it's an automatic 700R4 powered by a 350ci). I jumped on the highway this morning to head out for easter dinner, got up to about 85mph, then all of a sudden it felt like i was in neutral, the engine was revving, but no motion. I pulled off onto the shoulder put it in park, it worked, put it in drive, it engaged, so I tried to drive, but once it used up first gear, it felt like it just went into neutral instead of second, but reverse worked, so I backed up, tried again, and the same thing happened. Its now sitting at my shop after being towed. Any ideas? There was no weird noises and there still isn't. Could it be a torque converter problem even though 1st, reverse, and park still work? or is the tranny done for? Thanks.

-Drew

Mike55TPI

Might have broken a governor gear. Pull the round cap on the drivers side of the tranny near the tail housing and slide the governor out. It has a plasitc gear.

Nightrider350

Well I ended up driving it back from the shop. I noticed that if I leave it in first, it will work as normal, but then if i move it to 2nd, drive, or overdrive, it won't work right and i'd hafta slam the gas in order to get the car to continue moving forward, but i would only be able to get it up to 25-30 before the engine would just revv.

1BADROC

iTrader: (1)

mine did the same thing last september except i still had 2nd and no 3rd and od i drove it home in second. Reverse and park also still worked im pretty sure its the bands thatbroke on mine. I wanted to swap to a T-56 so it was a good excuse for me to tell the wife. Im in the middle of that now i finally got a good donor car the trans is going in my IROC of course and the LT1 is going in my T/A the car i bought was a 95 T/A only paid 1900 car is in decent shape besides the passenger side i will be selling everything off of it except the motor trans and seats so if anyone wants something pm me and offer a price on what you want.

Nightrider350

I know there's a lot of websites about doing the swap from an auto 700R4 to a T56 6-speed, but from ur own viewpoint, how difficult was it? I've been wrenching for a good while, built my engine and replaced my rear end, but have yet to attempt something like this. I've done research on doing the auto to manual swap, but haven't had a reason to do it till now since i blew the 700R4.

1BADROC

iTrader: (1)

well like i said im in the middle of it but its not hard really just be sure to have some help when you pull the trans and have lots of paper towels or kitty litter. If you get a donor car pulling the 6-speed is a breeze hardest part i see coming is the pedals and master cylinder. you can use your stock torque arm and driveshaft you will need a fabricated crossmember i got mine from sphon.

Nightrider350

yea, i like the fact that i can use the same stock driveshaft and torque arm, and I found a flew places that make the custom crossmember so i'll have that covered. I'll soon be on the lookout to find a donor car cause that seems to be the easiest/cheapest way to get the job done.

not sure if you would know but would a "Tremec" T-56 be what i'm looking for? cause I was able to get a full manual for that particular T-56. For all i know that's the only T-56 that exists, i'm probably wrong, but lemmie know.

Thanks,
Drew

iroc86z

i had the EXACT same problem a few weeks ago, pulled the off the side cap and found that the governor gear had completely broken off. im goin to get a new one tomorrow.

Nightrider350

lemmie know if that fixes the problem

1BADROC

iTrader: (1)

the tremec is a aftermarket T-56. you can get a complete setup crossmember, pedals bellhousing shifter ect.. from F-Body Motorsports 82-02 Camaro Parts, Z28 Parts, Camaro SS Parts, Firebird Parts, Trans AM Parts, GTA Parts, Iroc Parts, Formula Parts and Firehawk Parts - Camaro & Firebird Parts used for $1800. I would try getting a donor car tho if your trans is really messed up like mine i only paid 1900 for the car and i got everything i need plus i got the LT1 and the car is completely straight (not bent) and fixable if i wanted to fix it but i dont.

iroc86z

i just picked up the part from cottman, they even let me have it for free. i put it in , and the car runs like new. good luck man

stevog66

just curious why they make a part like that out of plastic anyway?seems like a part that puts ya through it when it breaks would be better constructed,a gear at that.???????I will never understand the theory of economical standards Vs.More practical methods of product Engineering.