I just finished tuning my new 350tpi and have been test driving it. At first I was a couple of quarts low on ATF after a filter/fluid change and it was shifting all silly and slipping bad. I topped off the fluid (a bit too much actually) and it seems to shift more consistent the more I drive it. It still kind of slips, but not nearly as bad. The problem is that it just doesn't shift with any UMPHH and it only shifts at just over 4,000rpm. I only just found out that the engine will run past 5,000 rpm when I shifted manually. I think I feel the new 2500 torque convertor working (a slight delay on pedal mash, then GO-GO-GO). It just seems like I'm down on power because of the trans. I can barely roast the tires with 3.42 gears and 400+lbs of torque!!

I should mention that this is a completely stock 700R4 with 48,000 miles and it just had it's first fluid/filter change. It was setup from the factory to run with the wimpy 305tbi that was in the car (never shifted much past 4k with that engine either). I'm guessing I need at least a shift kit? Anything else? How do I raise the shift point? Please help me as I'm pretty new to the auto trans! Most of my cars were 5-speeds...

 

First off, go to the tranny board do a search for transfixleo's method on adjusting the TV Cable, this will ensure proper line pressure in the tranny and proper shifting.

Next, like he and other tranny experts will tell you, get the TransGo shift kit. "it's the only REAL shift kit, it fixes the problems in the 700R4, unlike other kits that mask the problem".

This should take care of your problems.

Also, only way to raise shift points correctly is to play with the weights of the governor.

 

I actually just did transfixleo's tv cable adjustment last night. It downshifts and upshifts properly, but with no ***** and not much past 4200rpm. Won't a shift kit raise the shift point? If not, what is the proper way to raise it?

 

I'm sure a shift kit does allow you to raise shift points, sorry I'm not really an expert on this. Maybe try a search on the tranny board.
But like said, playing with the weights of the governor will raise shift points. Taking weight off will raise it. Not exactly sure how to do that though.

 

Could be holding you back; but you may also want to consider an ATF change, 'stead of just topping it off. When you pull the pan off, be sure to clean it out good, and look to see if you have any (and how many!) metal shavings in there.. if you have a lot, you are probably eating up gears. Cleaning this out can usually restore your shift points to normal, even more so then just topping off the fluid.


(I'm not saying that the trans isn't holding you back... find a tranny expert over on that board for a more technical answer )