Increasing power & kickdown adj.

[rdodd]

When increasing engine power with an automatic should the kick-down cable be readjusted? I've noticed after turning engine power up that it requires less pedal travel to get going than before and if auto trans. pressure is regulated by this travel would the kick-down have to be readjusted to compensate for this?

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Sorry about the lack of info on this one... . I'm surprised that no one jumped in...



Having said that...

If you adjust the kickdown you'll change your shift points... one sure way to kill our auto is to misadjust the kickdown.

If you want to make minor tweaks to the shift points 1,2,3 and 3,2,1... you can do this with the kickdown. Any changes to OD should be done with the TPS. Care needs to used since you can slowly pull yourself into the misadjusted range. (Just my opinion here)



Unfortunately, the more power we add the more likely we all are, to pull right thru the stock TC. In effect, as the HP goes up, so does the "effective stall speed" of the convertor. When my truck was totally stock, my TC would stall at about 1850 RPM,... after the mods (not including the POD's) my stall went to 2050 RPM +-



You should look at tweaking your line pressures, both at idle and at WOT. This is best done with guages.

Idle line pressure can be set from an average of 52 (factory) psi to about 58-60psi max. The WOT line pressure can be set about 110psi, but please double check that with someone like Bill Kondolay at DTT.

What this will do is help reduce slippage/heat/wear.

When I uprated my truck I shifted into "severe duty service" schedule. Basically cut in half the oil change/ajdustment/checkup times. I also put in a transmission temp guage. It becomes very important as the HP goes up.

At around the 200 RWHP level, I could open up the throttle while doing about 55 mph in OD on the highway. By the time I hit 80 mph, my transmission temp hit 230*F. That is getting pretty warm.

Our trannies run hotter than the later model(s) of this transmission, but still, high temps are tough on them.



Is this any help???? If not let me know and I'll try and clear it up.



Bob.

 

[rdodd]

Thanks for the reply. I didn,t realize that transmission temps could come up that quick. I guess i need to install a transmission gauge. Where did you install temperature probe? Will the use of dexronIII fluid let the transmission live as long as the 7176 fluid with modifiers in it? Last time i had my transmission serviced they installed dexron III and added 2 qts. of mobil one motor oil to it. They also told me there is no need to adj. bands because if they need adjusting you already have transmission damage. The shop said sometimes they even add more than 2 qts. motor oil if a person does a lot of towing. What do you think about adding motor oil to auto trans?

 

[Philip]

They also told me there is no need to adj. bands

Find a better shop. That one is full of $$it. The band wears just from normal use.

What do you think about adding motor oil to auto trans

Not in my truck.





I would install the temp sensor into the trans pan.

 

[DPKetchum]

Transgo tech line said syn. motor oil of 0w30 to 10w30 as much as 5 or 6 qts was ok in auto trans. it helps on gear to gear wear. They said would have no ill affect and mainly helped in the o. d. unit. Said 0w30 or 5w30 prefered. Next service i'm adding AMXXX 0w30 to mine.

 

[Midnite]

Even Bill Kondolay has mentioned using a quart or two of motor oil in these transmissions.

 

[rdodd]

Is dexron III trans fluid available by itself or is it all (dexron III/mercon) ?