Okay, tonight i pulled up next to a 5.0 at a light, and he jumped forward, the I did, and well, you know what happened... I beat the crap out of him off the line, even though i started in 2nd for traction, and i still wheel hopped about 15 feet. well I was doing good until he shifted into 2nd (manual) and my engine was still in 2nd. He pulled ahead of me and i did not pass him again until my car finally shifted into 3rd, then I shifted into overdrive. Anyways, how can i fix this? It shifts great under normal driving, but when I accelerate hard, it shifts too late.
Could it possibly be my engine? I need to do some mods, but my @$$wipe dad wont let me...

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1983 Pontiac Firebird SE
LG4-Based Chevy 400
700R4 Tansmission
Modified 4 Barrel Q-Jet Carb
Accel Super Stock 8mm Wires
Edelbrock Pro-Flo Air Cleaner
3.23 Posi Rear
14X7" Cragar SS/T Wheels
35X4 CD/AM/FM Head Unit
100WX2 Amp
2 Pioneer 12" Subs in Custom Box

 

I blew my TH700R4 a few months ago. While the guys were in there, I had them finish up the shift kit that was partially installed (Don't ask...the previous owner musta been a complete idiot) Also, they threw in the corvette servo, and they said they were "hemi-packing" the clutches. I do not know if this is an official term, but basically he said he threw more clutches in to pak them in tighter, to take al the play out of the shifting. Well, my car shifts fast and furious! As for shifting where I want it to, I just nail it if I want it to downshift, or let off for a sec to upshift. You gotta watch it though depending on the tranny. Mine used to like to go from 2nd to 4th, and then when I got back on it, it would have to shift again into 3rd.
Hope this helps
Corry

 

I have a setup similar, and i would have to agree, a shift kit alone would help tidey up that shift, adding things like the corvette servo, etc would only make it bring out what i like to consider the 'agression' of your engine

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89 IROC-Z 350 TPI

-Flowmaster Catback
-Performance Resource Chip
-Rebuilt 700R4 Tranny
With the goodies to go

-K&N Airfilters
-Ported Plenum
-2.77 Gears (not much to brag about but eh, its there)

 

if your shifting too late it's time for a new lower shifting governer. how did you get the trans to take off in second???? if your accomplishing this it'd be like having a manual valve body. i also like how you are impressed about beating the mustang. maybe you should race a fast one. might quiet you some.

 

It is shifting too late??? Like at 5500 rpm or 5700 rpm or what??? You may to get a new governor for your shifts.

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TPI 305,
Gutted airboxes,
gutted MAF,
K&N filters,
Corvette Servo.
14.9@93mph

"Speed kills, wanna live forever, drive a Ford."

 

The TV cable could be out of adjustment..

-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

for firmer shifts you can try ford transmission fluid instead of the dextron II or III suggested.

 

zippy, I got it to start in 2nd by putting it in the "2" gear, then put it in drive when it was time to shift, only it didnt shift. It waited till about 3500 rpm, at which my engien has no power. And my TV cable is adjusted good becuase it shifts fine during normal driving.

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1983 Pontiac Firebird SE
LG4-Based Chevy 400
700R4 Tansmission
Modified 4 Barrel Q-Jet Carb
Accel Super Stock 8mm Wires
Edelbrock Pro-Flo Air Cleaner
3.23 Posi Rear
14X7" Cragar SS/T Wheels
35X4 CD/AM/FM Head Unit
100WX2 Amp
2 Pioneer 12" Subs in Custom Box

 

You're out of power by 3500?!? I figured those 400s spooled up a little higher than that. But it sounds to me like the only way to change the shift points is with the governor, since the tranny was originally used on an engine that shifted at ~5000.

 

if your out of power by 3500 you have more problems than the trans. even a stock 400 from a truck or caprice will pull higher than that. taking off with the shifter in second should does not make the trans. take off in second gear. it will take off in first and allow governer to shift second then wait for your shift to third. unless your running an electronic trans which i can see your not, it shouldn't be starting in second regaurdless of where the shifter is.