I have a 1990 Firebird with a 3.1L v6, which tranny should it have? 700r4? Also when you put the trans in 1st gear, should it hold 1st forever or eventually shift into 2nd when the rpm's get too high? Last night i put the tranny in 1st gear just to see if it would shift out to second, but i was one tick before 6k rpm on the tachometer and it wasnt shifting up so i stopped. Is this signs of anything? shiftkit? tranny problem? drive and overdrive are fine, tranny runs perfect in normal driving, just wondering about this a little. most automatics ive been in the past would keep 1st gear longer but eventually shift to 2nd, but mine appears to hold 1st forever.

also how much abuse can the 700r4 (if thats what i have) take before giving me problems? i dont plan on ever getting near 6k rpm again in 1st gear but i could see sometime in the future where it would be fun to hold 1st to about 4500-5000rpm Do you think i could have already caused some damamge with that quick little run to about 6k rpm in 1st? it was there only for a few seconds.

and i know the "get a manual if you want to drive it like a manual" phrase will probably come up in this thread, and i eventually do plan to do the tranny swap, just not for a couple years.

 

i never really tired to leave my tranny in first and see if it would change to second. i just shift to second when i want to (about 5 k rpm).

700r4's can take a pretty good beating, they hold up to 350 tpi fairly well... i test mine every so ofter with wot from first threw overdrive..

one day i did hold first gear untill like 5,550 and nothing happened, i was trying to be loud as i could going by this cop...


as long as your tranny shifts smooth with no slipping, i think you should be ok..

 

Most 700R-4's will shift out of first regardless of being in manual first or not. Its to keep those with a "death wish" for their car from actually doing so. If you were able to wind it out and it did not shift, then you are one of the few that can do it stock, or its had some sort of modification done like the TransGo Reprogramming kit.

 

are there any tests i can do to see if it has some sort of shiftkit or has been reprogrammed? just out of pure curiosity. also does running it up to 5k-ish rpm in 1st cause "damage" other then faster wear and tear?

 

Its not the 5K that is the big deal, its how far past 5K you go. Stock SBC engines usually go into "valve float" around 5500 RPM.

 

i was more worried about tearing up the transmission past 5k rpm in 1st gear then the engine. the v6 revs up pretty nicely, even so i never let it get past 5000 or 5500rpm ever except for this once. so if i keep the revs under 5k, i shouldnt be causing any damage to my engine or trans, even in first? does manually shifting the automatic cause problems other then faster wear and tear?

 

If you want to rev past 5500 RPM, then you should install the TransGo Hi-Rev springs, and the TransGo "NoYoYo" pump kit. The springs will keep the 3-4 and overrun clutches from applying from centrifical force and the pump kit will keep the pump rings from breaking. The pump kit also includes a priming spring that helps keep pressures stabilized as long as you mod the PR valve as well. Other than that, you should be OK.

 

Mine decides to shift itself when left in drive around 5000-6000rpms, and everything has been fine, so I don't think your going to damage it with what your doing. It loves to redline and hit 6200 all the time as well, when just left in drive, unless you sort of let off the gas for a sec, and get back on.