I have a 1986 Camaro IROC with a 700R4 transmission and I have been experiencing some issues with it. Mainly it feels like it is slipping. Here is the situation. Under WOT the transmission feels normal, does not slip, and shifts firm and smooth. But under part throttle the shifting is very long, very slopy, and at times it revvs up even, the car doesn't not feel like its pulling; it feels like its slipping. This is amplified when the transmission is cold and less noticeable when it is warm.

I thought it might be the TV cable so I set it up "properly." No! The last owner changed the fluid before he sold it it me... I am thinking maybe he put the wrong fluid in and the friction modifiers are not correct and its causing slipage. Or maybe the transmission is just shot?\

DG

 

This could be a few different things. Don't get so upset about it because it could be something small to nothing! During the winter and late fall months when it gets colder that fluid isn't moving around as good until it's heated up so your experience with issues when it's cold isn't that big of a concern.

One thing I do want to say is if you had older fluid in the transmission for along time and then you drain all of that and put new fluid in, that could cause potential problems due to the transmission innards being so used to the older fluid. Some say don't do a transmission fluid change but to just add fluid, others say do a change and with a new filter too.

All I can tell you is from MY personal experience with my 700r4 are a couple of things.

1.) My transmission seems to shift abit harder since late fall when it got colder. Under normal driving conditions in the city it seems to shift abit harder but overall, 98% of the time it shifts exactly as it should, especially once the transmission fluid has warmed up.

2.) I put new fluid in and a new filter in back in August of 2010. I did that because I had no idea how long the old fluid had been in my car since I never did a fluid/filter change. I've had no problems with the transmission shifting in that regard either and it seems to have benefited my transmission's life as it seemed to shift better after the fluid/filter change.

So don't worry as much but keep an eye on it.

 

Make sure that the TV cable is "tight" at WOT. Make sure of this and then go for a test drive. If it is tight, then overtighten it a couple of clicks and see what happens at part throttle where the problem occurs. If you leave it overtight, it will pull it back out when you go to full throttle. You will have to readajust it. If this helps, let me know.

 

Tried it today... it made it worse. I put it back to factory settings. Shifts are flaring also. I think its on its way out. Debating on a rebuild kit... but haven't done one in 6 years at least.

DG

 

The TV system sounds like it is not working anymore if you tried the above recommendations. If you built one before, then with the rebuld kits that I have and the supplied DVD that comes with it, you should be able to do another one. I would recommend the ATSG build book for this if you do not have a ATSG or Haynes rebuild book now. Do you have someone helping you out on this, or are you doing this yourself? Let me know if I can be of help? Dana

 

Ill be doing it myself this time. Last time I did it was back in 04 in College with the assistance of an instructor. It was a pain. I did one of your shift kits about 2 years ago on my Impala... that wasn't to hard. Let me grab a repair manual, and I will get back to you. Does your rebuild kit come with the transgo upgrades or is that separate? I also want to find a post 86 transmission from a C4 Vette rather than starting with my 86 Camaro one.


Thanks,

Dan

 

Dana,

I purchased a 87-up 700R4 book from your site. I will read through it and see if I still feel confident tackling the job.

Thanks,

Dan