This may sound like a stupid question, but when are you suppose to use Overdrive? During low speeds or high? Because I drive in "Drive" all the time and never use my "Overdrive" is that a problem? Also what gear is the best to use when you want to get the best launch from a red light? I got a 305 TBI with a automatic 700R. I was asking because in my old 2002 Cavalier the best gear to launch was in 3rd, then move to work you way to Overdrive and then finish off in 3rd again and that is how I was beating Mustangs and Mustang GTs in a Cavalier!

 

i always start off in D. when i get above 50mph and know that i wont be slowing down i go into overdrive. if i'm in overdrive and slow down to about 40 and see that i wont be going faster, i downshift to D.

i just try to keep the TCC from constantly engaging and disengaging when you let off the gas and then step on it again.

 

I usually put it in overdrive when i'm going over 40 for a distance.

 

I keep it in OD when driving casualy. I only use D when I feel the need to accellerate fast.

 

About the only difference between driving in O/D and D is that the overrun clutch will allow engine braking in D.

Apart from the not shifting into 4th part, that is.

 

I dont know about you guys, but I hated the way the car shifted by itself (in D,or OD) It always shifted too early, tached out and shifted late. So I cut the computer out of the loop and installed a fully manual shift kit. It drives like a stick without the clutch. I love it, it shifts when I say and how I say it.

 

o/d at least should be used over 40 mph, especially at hiway speed, if for nothing other than to cut down on engine and drivetrain wear. lower rpm =less stress. lots better for mileage also

 

You know the computer has nothing to do with shifting, right?

 

It does for the lockup. But going to full manual valve body will sure get rid of the irratic upshifts.

 

Yes Apeiron,I know the computer doesnt control shifting, only the lockup functions like Bandit5 said. I more meant the TV cable/valve body. Kept adjusting the cable and never was satisfied on how it shifted, so now its diconected, and taken out of the loop.

 

I didnt know you could cut the TV cable out of the loop... even with a manual valve body modification. so its at full pressure, all the time? I dont get it.

 

I'm not going to bs you Kingtalon, I'm no tranny guru. A friend of mine owns a tranny shop and has been doing all the work. You dont have to disonnect it, but with this setup it is not used, so I disconnected it. Even when it only had a stage two shift kit, I always shifted manually anyway, I just dont like the way it shifted.

 

.

 

Yes, your overdrive only kicks in when you are cruising at a certian speed. Not sure about 700R4 but most cars it is between 35 oand 40mph. If you are on the gas it will just row through the gears. When you say you start in 3rd or 2nd you are still starting in first but the tranny will run out the gear you keep it in. So if you have your shifter to 3rd than it will go through 1, 2, and 3 but not shift again. It doesn't make you faster unless you keep it in 1 and go to 2 based on mods that make you faster then the stock shift points. Overdrive is a term that means your wheels are trning over more than your engine. It is a good thing. Saves wear and gas when you are cruising. So just put it into OD when you drive and when you get up to speed it will shift into it. If you want to race just punch it and it will kick out of it.

 

Going for speed, or in very hilly areas, somtimes it seems like keeping it in drive instead of overdrive helps, it seems like the car is more responsive, probably because of the lower gear. I don't know when its supposed to kick in but I know with both of my camaro's somtimes if you shifted from OD to D going faster than about 28 you could feel it.

 

That is why you have the option of taking it out of OD. Some hilly roads get annoying when your car slows down but won't kick down. Same reason why trucks take it off when they are towing. They need a little lower gear and more rpm's to make a little more power.

 

I $#%# hate the way OD works in our cars, atleast in mine. Yeah lets put a 2.73's in a car then put OD in it behind an engine with 160 hp. I hate it. the only time I drive in OD is on the highway at speeds above 60. Driving around town it shifts in OD to early, then locks up, then you try to accelerate then it unlocks, then it downshifts, then it locks up again. And forget it if you are driving on hilly roads, kicks in and out of lockup, then doesn't have enough ***** to pull itself up so it downshifts. Acckkkkkk.