Well, let me start by saying that I have searched extensively all over the forums for my particular issue the last couple days.

I used to own a 92 3.1L Firebird, and I remember the 700R4 having a similar issue when I got it, but its been so long I can't remember if there were ever any repairs done, or if any were even needed.

Anyways, in the last week I purchased an 87 5.7L Trans Am GTA with ~94,500 miles. Apparently the car had sat on the lot for the better part of this summer. When I did purchase the car the trans fluid was a bit low, still covering the dipstick on the tip where it reads "add 1 pt" but not in the crosshatch once it got warm. After buying it I put some trans fluid in and is now at the correct level. During test drives I noticed no slipping or grinding and the trans fluid didn't smell burnt at all, and looked normal. No leaks that I've been able to find anywhere.

So here's the issue. It may not even be an issue at all, but I need to ease my mind. Especially when the engine/trans are still cold, on part throttle 1st to 2nd shift (and actually usually others are if I'm really babying it) is very firm compared to other gears. Not a slam, no noises, just a firm 1-2 shift that is noticeable compared to others if I push it a bit harder. I'll give you an example:
From a stop at a light, at probably 1/4 throttle, firm 1-2 shift around 10-11mph, then maybe slightly less firm 2-3 at about 28-32mph, then even less firm 3-4 at about 45-50mph. Usually once the car is warm, the shifts do get a bit softer, but not too much as to notice any slipping or anything. If I gun it, I can feel the shifts, but they're not anything I'd call firm except for maybe the 1-2 shift, and that's a stretch.

I made sure the tv cable is adjusted properly, the trans fluid is good to go when hot, and I've read in here that firmer is better than softer. Its just the variance in feeling shifts that has me a bit concerned. I'm trying not to sound too paranoid, and it might just be that I am. This is my first TA and I want to make sure she gets taken care of and I don't want to screw anything up.

Thanks!

 

Possibly the trans has a shift kit in it?
I would rather have firm shifts than slipping

 

Sounds just like mine; from what I've read it's normal. This is why you'd install a shift kit - to firm up the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts.

 

The responses are much appreciated! I figured it was normal, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'm not sure about a shift kit, I would have to look into it since I bought it from a car lot and they probably wouldn't have known either.

Thanks again!

 

There is one very common thing with 700r4's that can cause an excessively harsh 1-2 shift. Quite often the accumulator springs will break. Since the accumulator helps to "cushion" the force of the shift, when the spring breaks, it causes a harder shift. The other common problem is, over time, the accumulator spring will push upwards and dent or sometimes even punch through the separator plate. In fact, when I got my rebuild kit from Pro-Built Automatics, he included a reinforcement plate that goes over the accumulator portion of the separator plate. My original separator plate had a good bulge from the spring pushing up on it, and if I remember right, the accumulator springs were broke too. It always shifted pretty hard from 1-2. I never minded too much, but a lot of people who rode in my car back then would ask me if I had a shift kit in it. If I were you, I wouldn't go out of the way to fix it, but if you ever drop your trans pan to do a filter change, that'd be the perfect time to unbolt the accumulator assembly and see if the springs are still intact. You have to drop the valve body down to install that reinforcement plate, so I wouldn't do that unless you're getting the trans rebuilt. Most of your cheap, fly-by-night shift kits tell you to completely eliminate the accumulators for a neck-snapping shift. While this does work, kits like the Trans-Go one give you better accumulator springs, and the trans will shift pretty normal when you're driving mellow. They only get really firm when you nail the throttle. Neck-snapping shifts are great when you want to get on it, but it sucks when the trans does it when you're driving like a grandpa!

 

I think this is just a matter of it's cold outside this time of year. Those first couple of shifts are happening with cold thick fluid. It's real noticiable where I live because the seasons change so fast. It might be 70° when I drive to work one morning. It may be 40° the next morning. The 40° morning has firmer shifts for the first few minutes. The 70° morning doesn't.

 

Yeah, true that. Temperature definitely has an affect on the shifts too!