My son's 87 IROC will not up shift up from second gear. It shifts from first to second only. He was driving on the highway at 60 MPH with no problem. The car then downshifted to second gear and no longer shifts up past second. The trans fluid is full. I would like a few ideas concerning the problem before I decide to take the trans to a shop. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Well. I can tell you mine did that as well. Was driving fine for about 2 miles. then it lost over drive, and then it lost 3rd gear and would not upshift. 1st gear and second gear only. and it would rev way up (to about 3800 to 4700 rpm) and slam into gear. Took the tranny out and the clutch packs were toasted... But i think the main problem was that the pump quit on it. so it could no longer built the proper preasure causeing failure

 

makes sense, Thanks, hope the clutch packs didn't get fried

 

The trans is toast. That's classic signs of a failing 700R4. It will need a full rebuild. The weakest link inthe 700R4 are the 3/4 clutches (there just aren't enough of them). They slip first, then it goes right on down the line until eventually you end up with just 1st gear and reverse. I would have the trans professionally rebuilt and add a Vette servo setup and a TransGo reprogramming kit. If you want more insurance get a full rebuild kit from Pro-Built at www.700r4l60e.com It has the aforementioned parts are well as all the clutches, steels, bushings, 10-vane pump guts, and all the good stuff to make the 700R4 a durable trans.

 

I actually have a deal worked out with TCI for the full master rebuild kit. along with a few other goodies. will be a nice winter project for me, and i will not have to worry alot since i will have one from an 88 that worked just fine to put in my 83' while i take the original one apart. Can't be that hard as long as you have all the tools.. and i have not found anything yet that i did not have the proper tool for.

 

The TCI kit is decent, but IMO not as good as the Pro-Built kit. First, the Pro-Built kit is more complete. You get the TransGo shift reprogramming kit, the Vette servo assembly, and all the pump guts (10-vane, which is an upgrade to the stock 7-vane, the unbreakable ring kit, etc)with it.

Two, the Pro-Built kit uses the best of everything, determined by Dana's years of experience with these transmissions. The TCI kit will have alto red frictions and Koleen steels. These work great in a TH350, but are not the hot tickette for a 700R4. The 700R4 responds best to Borg/Warner high energy frictions and steels. They handle heat better, particularly in the 3/'4 clutch pack, and that's the secret to making the 700R4 live.

I looked at a variety of kits before settling on the Pro-Built kit. I could not find another manufacturer that had done as much research, or had as much experience with the 700R4 as Pro-Built. The others are just trying to use the same things that have worked in other transmissions and apply them to the 700R4. Pro-Built ont he other hand has built 700R4s and 4L60Es almost to the exclusion of other transmissions for the past decade. Dana knowns what works in these things better than anyone else. He helped develop a lot of the TransGo parts directly with their tech department and Gil Younger. If I had to build another 700R4 tomorrow the only call I'd make would be to Pro-Built. I have rarely been so completely satisfied with the finished product, and the support I got along the way.

As far as tools go, a clutch spring pack compressor is about the only specialty tool you need. I got mine for $45 at a car show. A pick set for seal removal, a set of bushing drivers, and basic hand tools are needed. A micrometer and a set of feeler gauges are needed. A lip seal tool helps too, but you can use a feeler gauge in a pinch. To do it right you need to send out the pump and have it machined for proper clearance (.0015-.003" rotor body to housing cavity). Some 600 grit-60 grit sandpaper comes in handy for blueprinting things. I think that's about all I used for my rebuild, and the trans works great.

 

looks like i may go with probuilt then when i finally get mine going.. which there was a machine shop that was half competent within 75 miles of me lol. I suppose i will jsut take it to the msp/stp when i hit a local meeting and see if one of the guys there who is a machinist can hook me up.

 

Yeah, I keep forgetting how lucky I am that there's a machine shop here that is amazing. I take blocks and heads to another shop that does a fine job and is a lot less expensive, but when it's something oddball there's another shop I use that can make or machine anything. There's been times when I've just given them a blueprint and said can you make this? The guy who runs it Jim just says sure, piece of cake, give me like three days. Everything's always been dead on.

Glad top hear your considering Pro-Built. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. If you need any help/advice during the build feel free to PM me.