Modifying non-GN governor to increase shift points

[mzalesak]

Is it possible to modify a non-GN type Governor to increase shift points. I have a 200-r4 from an 88 caprice and rebuilt it using a kit from performance transmisson center. overall very happy with the transmission other than it shifting under 4000rpm (i'd like it to shift between 5000 and 5500). I've read some where that I could remove one of the springs from the governor and that would increase the shift points. It this true?
Also could someone explain to me why a GN governor will not work with a non-GN valve body, seems to me that it should work.

Thanks for any help

 

[notacarlo]

get a very sensitive scale (ounces)

You can shave away metal from the fly-weights in the governor. This will allow the governor to "open up" slower thus increasing the shift point. It is a trial and error process.

Not sure removing the spring is a great idea.

Small amounts of metal at a time.

 

[mikestertwo]

Is it possible to modify a non-GN type Governor to increase shift points. I have a 200-r4 from an 88 caprice and rebuilt it using a kit from performance transmisson center. overall very happy with the transmission other than it shifting under 4000rpm (i'd like it to shift between 5000 and 5500). I've read some where that I could remove one of the springs from the governor and that would increase the shift points. It this true?
Also could someone explain to me why a GN governor will not work with a non-GN valve body, seems to me that it should work.

Thanks for any help

It depends on what speeds you want to change your shift points at determines which weight you want to remove weight from and how much. As mentioned it's kind of a trail and error thing. Use a good gram scale and take small amounts off at a time. It's kind of a pain because you have to drop the pan everytime.
You cannot mix and match govenors and valvebodies and have them work correctly. Valvebodies are calibrated to work with a particular governor and vise versa. They are a matched set. Putting a GN governor in a trans with a non GN valvebody will not work properly. The calibrations would be a missmatch. Your shift points would most likely be way off.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Maybe try a vette governor?
When removing wt, try drilling it out. [1/8" holes] That way, you can add some back w/ steel riviets, should you go too far.
The GN gov has only 1 spring. I "pin it", so it won't slip out of location.

 

[mzalesak]

Thanks for all the input, I guess I have to start a painful trial and error process. Anyone done this in the past and have a good starting point, should i start at 1 ounce (28 grams) and go from there. should I remove material from both weights equally. maybe one 1/8 inch hole from each weight to start?


I guess it doesn't make sense to remove a spring, if you want the weights to move out slower, you would want to use a stronger spring.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[notacarlo]

I didn't get to edit my first post. gram by gram, not ounce. Drill one hole, weigh it, put it in, go for a spin. Not late enough, pull it back out, drill half way through and do it again.

 

[bison]

Thanks for all the input, I guess I have to start a painful trial and error process. Anyone done this in the past and have a good starting point, should i start at 1 ounce (28 grams) and go from there. should I remove material from both weights equally. maybe one 1/8 inch hole from each weight to start?


I guess it doesn't make sense to remove a spring, if you want the weights to move out slower, you would want to use a stronger spring.

Thanks again for the help.

If you remove ounces you will be f ucked. Weigh the GN weights and duplicate the same weight. Use a light spring on the governor. Read my post in another thread about it.

 

[bison]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tr...fied-200-4r-governor-higher-shift-points.html

 

[77 cruiser]

Sounds about like the same thing I had with my OG deal. It's a lot of work to get it where you want. Then the trouble with the OG the 2-3 shifts didn't go up as much as the 1-2. I ended up putting in a slightly stronger 2-3 shift spring.
At that I still ended up with about 6200 on the 1-2 & 5800 on the 2-3 & 5300 or so on the 3-4.
I tried a GN gov. & I probably went to 7500+ on the 1-2 & still only a little over 6000 on the 2-3.

 

[mzalesak]

If you remove ounces you will be f ucked. Weigh the GN weights and duplicate the same weight. Use a light spring on the governor. Read my post in another thread about it.

Thanks for the information, in you post you show a GN governor, for my non GN govenor, should I duplicate the weight? Thats doesn't make sence, if I can't just use a GN governor to begin with. Also I have no way to weigh a GN weight because I don't have one. I a previous post you mention that for every gram you remove you gain 120-200 RPM to your shift point, is this true for a non-GN governor also. and you mention using a light spring, does that mean removing the heavy spring (only using one spring), or replaceing the heavy spring with a light spring?

As you can see I need some hand holding:smile:

 

[bison]

If you have a code CR vb it may work. You will have to experiment on the subject. Make one change at a time. There is no set instructions on how to achieve an exact outcome. There are too many variables. Its easier and cheaper to source out a high performance vb than to drop the pan and play with the governor 10 times and possibly drop the vb and play with shift valve springs. The high performance vb's use stiffer springs on the shift valves (especially the CQ, CZ, and OZ, KZ codes) which make it easier to have elevated shift rpm and more lively kick downs at part throttle.