So earlier this year I purchased a firebird formula 350, am in the middle of smoothing out all of the rough edges. However I’ve noticed the downshift cable was very lose when purchasing it, I figured it wouldn’t be a hard fix until I found out the previous owner had installed a very low end torque shift kit on it. I have no idea whether or not this affects how I should adjust the downshift cable on the 700r4, it’s very loose and was almost detached from the linkage due to the plastic being broken off at the end of the cable. I’ve now got it secured and ready to be adjusted, I know first to second should shift around 24 miles an hour with the cable properly adjusted. I’m getting about 5-10 miles an hour amd then it kicks a very hard shift at around 1500-2000 rpm that can chirp the tires at times even break my whole rear ended loose when it shifts around corners on wet ground. It’s also to be noted that this car also has an aftermarket 3:73 rear end with it. So what I’m really asking are the steps the same for adjusting my downshift cable even with all these aftermarket parts? How bad am tearing up the tranny by driving the way it is?

 

First off it's a TV cable, not a downshift cable. And there isn't a range of preference adjustment, there's a set right, and set wrong. Set it per the book and leave it alone.

 

Oops lol. But yes that’s what I’m asking, I’m trying to get it right and while the pros are saying one thing that’s with a stock 700r4. I was hoping someone who has experience in installing the kits or know a lot about the transmissions could give me some insight.

 

The cable's job is to tell the transmission where the throttle is.

PERIOD.

That's all it does. If the trans thinks the throttle is somewhere besides wherever it actually is, it has NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER of acting right.

"Shift kit" has NOTHING to do with this.

There is no "adjust", Only, SET. Put it where it goes, then you know the transmission isn't going to be confused about that one thing, at least.