I have a 1994 Formula Firebird, LT1, 350 that has a granetelli MAF, headers, PCMFORLESS tune, Magnoflow exhaust. Anyway, the bird use to kick down fine at WOT and shift to the next gear without redline/RPM cutout. I drove it on Sunday this last week and of course kicked it down and the car redlined its RPMs and cutout/would not shift unless I let off the accelerator pedal. Any suggestions on what to look for would be appreciated; I don't want to get hosed by a transmission shop...thanks!

 

verify fluid level running in park. verify the t.v. cable is still on and adjusted. late upshifts are normally a hint of things to come-no movement etc. if it is an internal problem. you could check the governor gear for teeth starting to go bad (they are plastic riding against a steel shaft. Fluid burnt? After it cooled down did it get better again or is it all the time now not wanting to upshift?

 

It's all the time now; probably something internal possibly. I'll have the transmission serviced fluid/filter and see if it is better. If not, time to look at the transmission.

 

servicing rarely does a thing but **** off the buyer when nothing new happens.
a recommendation during the pan off for service is to pull the two bolts holding the t.v. assy on the trans, pull the roll pin for the plunger and pull the plunger and aluminum sleeve out with visegrips. a large spring will follow. use a pocket magnet(a very very strong one) and work the t.v. valve back and forth if you can get it to move. It should pull back and forth. a lot of times this valve likes to stick in the bottom of the bore causing late or no upshifts. note:the t.v. valve won't come out with the valve body on because there is a roll pin under the valve body keeping it in. Hope you try it!

 

Yeah, I knew it was something internal. Thanks for letting me know what to look at and yes I will try it. I had the transmission serviced yesterday; no improvement. Shifted the same way at kickdown and did not upshift, just redlines/does RPM cutout. I will definitely try your suggestion.

 

check the governor at the same time the pan is off, they like to apple core (wear in the middle) causing the same symptom. it is in the little round cover on the drivers side of the trans, just silicone it back on when you're done.

 

This site is for discussing Thirdgen f-body vehicles only. You can use http://www.camaroz28.com/ for 4th gens.

Thank you.