I have an 86 Z28 Iroc... Back in September (not even 6 months ago), I had to get my transmission rebuilt, due to the shifter that was in it being put in the wrong way. The shop told me it was better than brand new. Got it back, shifted like a dream... no more hard shifts or feeling like the trans was going to drop out...

NOW... 3 days ago, my car is driving like its resisting something... we've gotten alot of snow just about every other day, and I had to drive my car in low or 2nd gear, but I never went over 3,000 RPMs, or 25 mph. now that everything is off the roads, it feels like the transmission is hesitating when in drive, and struggling to rev. My boyfriend and I put some more transmission fluid in, because the dip stick read that we needed to put more in at the 1 pint mark (put in a full quart). Still feels like the trans is resisting in drive. The trans is a 700r4, and I have a 305 v8 (if that helps) Help? I'd like advice before I spend more money to get it fixed.

 

Sure its not brakes sticking? Put the car in neutral and see if the boyfriend can push it any. Does not need to be running, just key on enough to put it in neutral.
Then how does it rev up in neutral or park? Don't over rev, just a quick goose.

And when you check transmission fluid was it hot, running and in park? The fluid expands so when you check it hot it should be at the top mark.

 

we'll check the brakes... they felt a little awkward prior to now. and we did check the trans fluid when it was hot and in park. Thanks for the info! anything is appreciated!

 

No prob!
Just in case though, did you happen to get any kind or warrenty with the trans work? If so and its still good after you go over a few things and still feel its the trans then you should have them check it before it runs out.
Let us know on the brakes and we can think of something else.

 

Funny thing about the warranty... I couldn't get one on the trans rebuild, because I have nitrous. =)

 

..... that makes sense!

 

ohhhh you sneaky girl with Nitrous...hehe

Well even if no warranty if you think it is transmission related you should have the shop who rebuilt it check it out.

 

So... we've figured out its not the brakes... they're pretty new still.
We're going to try an oil change, maybe that'll help.
My boyfriend drove it again, and I'll have to agree with the assessment... we're starting to think that maybe its not the trans, since the RPMs are hesitating when you slowly accelerate. I read somewhere earlier last night regarding that issue... I forget. So if anyone knows, I'd greatly appreciate it! =)

 

Tell us about the motor. Do you have a basically stock (we already know NOS) carbed or TPI 305???
And plug wires burned, feel like its missing?

 

TPI 305. edelbrock mid length headers. we've noticed that its bogging between 1800 and 3,000 RPMs.

 

So we've checked the spark plug wires, and it seemed that two of the wires were against the emissions tube for the headers (I still have all the emission/smog stuff on my car). the wires weren't grounded to the headers emission tube, but they were getting a little black from where they were touching the high heat. Could this be a culprit if its losing power? doesn't seem to be transmission issue anymore.

 

If the wires arc to the exhaust you're not getting the full power to the plugs.
Also since you mentioned emissions and the bogging, do you still have a catastrophic, er ah Catalytic converter? Maybe plugged.
Since most don't have a back pressure gauge and goos guess at it being plugged would look at it and see if its blackened especially around the front from the heat build up. Or a little more work to do is disconnect the exhaust before it and run the car.

 

could be caused by the wires for sure. when the rpms get higher you really ccant feel a miss as much sometimes.

 

Yes, I still (unfortunately) have the cat. converter... The volt meter was running really high when I was driving to work, and it didn't seem to help that we tried to move the spark plug wires away from the emissions tube. I've been reading alot on here about what causes the low voltage, but haven't come across anything yet regarding what could be causing a high voltage/bogging. its only when the car is in drive... when its in any other gear, either we're not noticing it, or its not happening.....

 

The burned wires could have higher resistance or just bad now. Also did you look at them while it was running to see if they are arcing?
Too high of volts could be a bad regulator. Higher while you're driving because the RPM is higher. Take the alternator off and have it checked at a parts store.

 

bogging only in D? Or high voltage and bogging in drive?

 

yes... high voltage in drive, and the rpms are bogging between 1800-3000. I have a b&m shifter, so we drove it like a manual to see if we could feel it in any other gear, and we couldn't... dunno if its because of the lower rpms or what. we believe its the wires, so we'll be changing those. hopefully thats the case.

 

Any update?

 

Changed the spark plug wires... seems to help a little bit. you don't feel the bogging, but you can hear it in the engine. The car is going in tonight for a car inspection *Sigh*, so they'll be replacing the spark plug wires and letting me know.

 

Did you happen to get a chance to look at your cat? See if its blackened due to excessive back pressure from being plugged???

 

we can check that... the cat was replaced 2 years ago with a high flow, because the one that was on there prior was gutted... they shop wouldn't pass my emissions without a new one.