need to delay shifts (higher rpm) at part throttle

[tonytheplumber]

I have what I hope is a simple question/problem. I recently purchaced an 86 GN w/76k miles from a member here, my first turbo buick by the way. 2 days after I got it the front seal on the trans started to spew. I figured while I had the trans down I ought to just have it gone through. So I brought it to a gentleman who works for/builds transmissions for the only trans shop that i trust in this area. The guy has a good reputation so I hope he's good. He said it had a 10 vein pump, so he didnt change it out, it has some aftermarket servos, and he said the forward clutches were pretty baked. He put a kevlar band in it and stage 1(?) clutches and got me a "good" 2400-2500 rpm converter that someone he knows had on the shelf for a while and was willing to give up for a nice discount. Everything works good and fine with the trans except the part throttle shift points. If I adjust the t.v. cable so I get the right part throttle shift points, I am restricting the throttle opening partially. If I adjust the t.v. cable so the throttle can open fully, it pretty much just stumbles through the gears right from a stop unless my foot is on the floor, then it shifts at redline. But I don't always drive with my foot to the floor. By the way, the t.v. cable is new, so it's not stretched. Does anybody have a mod for the throttle valve or something to help with this, please??

 

[Steve V]

You did not say what type of any shift kit,if he left it alone it should shift EXCATLY as before. If not ask him what he did,if he's a trans guru he will understand basic principals with the TV cable and how it aftects shifts.

I would have him return the valvebody exactly to stock. Then if you want a shift kit get one from CK,Dave,Bruce etc all are good stuff. CK's works best for me on a lightly modded street car.

Sounds like you will burn it in short order shifting the way you describe. Kevlar band is bad on the drum,I would use alto wide band or a carbon band(best).

 

[tonytheplumber]

As far as a shift kit is concerned, he said "it looked like somebody had been in there before and I don't want what I do to conflict with what may have already been done". So he left it as it was, and to tell you the truth, it wasn't shifting right before it was rebuilt, but I hardly got a chance to drive it before the seal crapped out. The little bit of t.v. cable adjustment that I did only either made it hang in gears to long or shift way to quickly. It was like there was no happy medium. FYI, I am in no way calling this trans guy a guru, I was refered to him by someone that I trust, or used to trust. Does this sound like more than just a throttle valve issue? Oh, and he mentioned something about putting a "helper spring" in the throttle valve.

 

[Steve V]

In that case send the VB to Lonnie Diers at exteme automatics he has a machine that can fix all that. Or get another Virgin BRF,BQ,BR valve body from the board/supporting trans vendor. That is where your problem lies,I believe.:wink:

 

[tonytheplumber]

Thanks, Steve. I went to the vendors marketplace and got the number for Extreme Automatics. I will give Lonnie a call and see what he suggests (different VB or send him mine), and I would like to thank you for all the info and how fast you made replies. I hope you're not mad at me for taking a drive to TN to buy a car instead of heading out to check out yours. The mileage on this GN really had my full attention, but as you can see it's not been a turn key car.

 

[Steve V]

That's cool,not mad at all. Good luck with yours. Mine will be back on the market probably tommorrow nite and it is tun key..with a fresh build.

Lonnie will not steer you wrong.

 

[tonytheplumber]

Talked to Lonnie earlier today and he is sending me a valve body, governor, and the correct pressure regulator spring to go along with his valve body. After I asked him how much he would have charged for a 200R4 build, I now know that I could have just had him do it for about as much as I will have into it after the VB swap and crappy rebuild I got . Also I confirmed that I do have a kevlar band . Yea, I'll probably yank the trans after I park it for the winter and have Lonnie go through and make sure everything is going to stay together. I will check back after I recieve the VB and find time to swap it.

 

[tonytheplumber]

Got the valvebody from Lonnie a week and a half ago but he forgot to send the pressure regulator spring, so I had to wait till that showed up, which was yesterday. I swapped out the valvebody, governor, pressure regulator, and pressure regulator spring this afternoon and NOW it shifts PERFECT. I want to first thank Steve V. for the reference to Lonnie for the parts/guidence I needed. And secondly I would like to thank Lonnie for dialing me in with a perfectly tuned valvebody and some priceless knowledge. I will call Lonnie tomorrow and thank him for the great work. And thank the Lord for this forum and all of you guys who take the time to school Buick newbies like me.

 

[Steve V]

Awesome glad you got it fixed up!