Morning folks.

Being a real newbie to transmission operation, I have a question for you all.

I have a 1988 Formula 350, with the 700R4 auto. As it stands
now, at WOT it does not shift till around 5200 RPM. As the
engine is not really developing much power up there, I don't
see the point of delaying shifts so long, and would like to lower the shift point to somewhere around 4900 RPM.

I have read some of the posts about adjusting the TV cable to alter the shift points, but, it seems that this method would only work till the first time I stepped real hard on the gas. Then, the cable would readjust itself, and I am right back where I started. I assume the governor actually controls shift points, but, how would I change where it thinks it should shift? I am guessing that these is no such thing as an "adjustable" governor.....

I am open to any and all suggestions.

thanks

 

The 'readjust' at full throttle only occurs when the cable is past it's maximum. If you adjust it so it shift sooner, it will be below it's maximum and won't change at full throttle. The governer is a better way to adjust shift points.

 

Any suggestions as to how to modify the governor, or, a good replacement unit that would suit my purpose??

Thanks.

 

Adjust the TV properly and leave it alone. That is not the place to fix this. You need a heavier governor. If you get one from a local tranny shop out of a normal V8 with a 'C' weight you will be around 4500 RPM. Try that first and see if you really want it any higher. If you do you can grind a little weight off of the inner weight, trial and error till you get what you want. You can also get a neat Governor calibration kit from B&M that is easier to work with but wil cost you more.

 

Governor Calibration kit? That sounds like the hot ticket.

Thank You for your help, greatly appreciated.

 

You might want to try a corvette servo. It won't change the shift point but it will shift it a little faster before the engine can rev up so high. I had this same problem and really wanted the 2-3 shift at or before 5000. With the stock servo it would start to shift at 4800 but would not complete the shift until 5200 or so. With a corvette servo is still starts at 4800 but finishes the shift before rpm hits 5000.

 

That is a good point. A lot of people don't realize that you can get earlier shifts if you firm them up. As you said, they start at the same time but just finish earlier. Very perceptive of you.