i have a 84 Z28 with a recently rebuilt 700R from a 86 Suburban with a TCI shift improver....if you put it in manual low it will shift into secong while in manual low , and will not down shift into 1st from second at speeds over 10 mph......wondering if it is part of the shift improver or normal for a 700R...it shifts into second at about 4200 rpm while in manual low.....and if your are in OD and @ WOT from a stop it will shift at roughly 2800-3200 rpm ....the engine is a strong 406 that makes peak power at 5200 rpm...it is killing the acceleration shifting so soon

 

I suppose some would blame TCI for not fixing what the factory did "wrong", but sounds like it's doing normal factory things.

Except you might want to check the TV cable adjustment. Sounds like it's shifting unusually low @ WOT in OD.

 

You'll probably end up needing a new governor for that if its from an 86 suburban. However, I'll second the fact that it should be shifting later then that even with the governor it has.. I'd verify proper TV cable adjustment too. Also, keep in mind that the TV spring that actuates the valve in the valve body might be worn too (making it hard to achieve the "proper" adjustment)..

 

To get a 700R4 to hold first gear install the TransGo reprogramming kit. With this kit there is a new valve and some holes drilled that allow first gear to be held to any RPM.

RBob.

 

the first thing i did was check the TV cable....it is perfect...the tranny will hold second till you shift out of manual second , it will not shift from second no matter what the rpm.......is that normal as well? only shifting out of 1st ?

 

Yes. Only the Trans-Go will give you the ability to "hold" manual low. The TV cable should be tight at WOT. If it still shifts at a low rpm at WOT then the TV system is not setup correctly, the Trans-Go Perfromance Shift kit should solve this. You could try a lighter weight governor, if the shifts are firm at WOT (even at the low rpm) that is occuring now.