200-4R shifting late ? (long)

[DorianL]

I dunno. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. I just transplanted a 200-4R from a 1989 Caprice into my 3800# Malibu (former TH350) with a torquey SBC400, 27.4-inch tires and 3.08 gearing.

I’ve got a PTS shift kit in there + a GN servo.

At light throttle, my TH350 would shift (1-2) at a very low rpm, low enough from me to not really notice.

At light throttle, the TH200-4R seems to shift (1-2) at 2600-2700 rpm. If I let go the throttle slightly it will pop in to second a pinch earlier. The engine gets kinda loud in first at that RPM.

The tranny will shift all the way to OD. I think 2-3 might be a bit later than my 350 but not by as much.

Giving a little gas, downshifts come quick.

I don’t want to grenade this tranny so I’ve only driven a few miles.

I fabricated at bracket for my Performer carb. The TV cable hook up point is at 1.125 radius from the throttle centerline and at a 0.404 cord towards the driver from the vertical of the throttle center line. Since I have a Lokar cable, I “set” the TV cable with the 200-4R’s pan off. I asked an assistant to WOT the lever and I made sure the TV plunger was flush with the bushing with the TV lever against it.

Should the TV cable be loosened, or is this “higher” shift point normal? Am I just used to the early shifting 350?

The 1-2 shift is VERY firm at light throttle. However if I get on the gas a little more, the shift becomes softer – I think this is a “sucking air” problem… but who knows, it may be related.



MTIA,

D.

 

[HOTTOGO]

Try backing the tv cable out a click or two and see if it helps, one or two clicks out from max setting won't hurt and some even prefer it.

 

[DorianL]

Cool, thanks - I'll try that.

Question tho'

Originally posted by HOTTOGO
Try backing the tv cable out a click or two and see if it helps, one or two clicks out from max setting won't hurt and some even prefer it.

"Some prefer it" I don't really mind (yet ) the higher shift point and snappier shift... as long as it is normal. Is the current behavior normal?

Beyond the click or two, I'm more worried about toasting my trans by lowering the TV cable tension.

BTW, I "set" the TV cable by pushing back the throttle lever rather then using the pedal. I read in another post that it is best to set it using the pedal.

MTIA,

D.

 

[DorianL]

Correction

1-2 seems to be between 2000 - 2500 rpm. So I guess that's about right ? Just takes getting used to

 

[Nordbert]

shifting late

Have you done a pressure check? I wouldn't worry about loosening the TV cable a few clicks as long as I had at least the
minimum pressures as in the GM service manual. They have been posted several times on this board. BTW, I have basically the same setup as you, but with 2.73's and a lot less motor. My pressures were 110 PSI at 1000 RPM with TV cable unhooked and 260 PSI at 1000 RPM with cable pulled to the stop. My shift
doesn't get softer at higher throttle levels, either.