Automatic shift points?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Automatic shift points?
Is there any way to change the shift points on a '86 automatic other than getting a new chip programmed? The reason I'm asking is that my car shifting from 1st to 2nd gets farther into the redline than I'd like when at full throttle. All other shift points are perfect with the "pedal to the metal". 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,914
Likes: 37
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Shift points on a 86 are done via weights in the transmission. The 4L60E versions are done via the PCM from the ECM. On the side of the transmission there is a round housing that holds these wights, they act just like the spring weights in your distributor, as the rpms increase the weights go out and allow the tranny to shift. The stiffer the springs, the higher the RPM the shift.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,914
Likes: 37
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
To raise the RPM of the shifts from , for example 4800-4900rpm, yo put heavier weights in.
Yo could always manually shift too. SOmetimes the 4L60/700r transmision allows yo to hold it pretty far.
Yo could always manually shift too. SOmetimes the 4L60/700r transmision allows yo to hold it pretty far.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
As steve40th said, the way to alter shift points is through the governor. The prom and ECM has NO influence over the shift points in a non-electronic transmission like your '86. The TV cable is NOT for changing shift points. First, it has very little effect on the shift points, and second, varying from the correct adjustment can cost you a transmission. B&M and others, probably, sell governor kits with weights and springs just for the purpose of tailoring the shift points to your tastes.
RACE ON!!!
PS. A claification on the TV cable. DO check to see that it is properly adjusted. Just don't change the proper adjustment to try to alter the shift points.
RACE ON!!!
PS. A claification on the TV cable. DO check to see that it is properly adjusted. Just don't change the proper adjustment to try to alter the shift points.
Last edited by CFI-EFI; May 8, 2005 at 12:13 PM. Reason: PS.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
According to instructions with the B&M Governor Recal. kit if you change weights all shift points will change and if you change springs the relative separation in RPM of shift points will change.
So you may need to change both springs and weights in the governor to get all WOT shift points were you want them. In any case, it's a matter of trial and error.
BTW, you can get the recalibration kit from Summit for around $25 or so.
So you may need to change both springs and weights in the governor to get all WOT shift points were you want them. In any case, it's a matter of trial and error.
BTW, you can get the recalibration kit from Summit for around $25 or so.
