Tuning my 700R4 Shift Points
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Tuning my 700R4 Shift Points
Originally used a B&M kit and bought a Superior Transmission kit for another project but after loosing the spring I needed bought a TCI kit which is basically the same as B&M.
Here's the vid if you wanna check it out.
Here's the vid if you wanna check it out.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
I spent many hours popping the governer cover off and changing different combinations of weights and springs. I mixed and matched different kits and even filed weights to dial the part and full throttle shift points in. I got my 700r4 working pretty well for the street and strip. Finally, converted to a 4l60e. Dialing in shift points is as easy as pressing buttons on a laptop in the diriver's seat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
I purchased a kit, but never got around to trying it... Looks like getting the cover off, and back on, with exhaust, etc on there will be a pain....
I have a good friend who rebuilds transmissions for a living. He gave me a a used governor to modify. He said the corvette governor's are hard to come by and suggested I did not want to ruin it....
I have a good friend who rebuilds transmissions for a living. He gave me a a used governor to modify. He said the corvette governor's are hard to come by and suggested I did not want to ruin it....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 397
From: Lakeville MI
If ever doing this again, I would buy 2 kits in order to have the option to run 2 equal weights with different springs similar to the stock configuration. This helps to minimize the variables involved to 3.
I would suggest starting with both stock springs and 2 of the heaviest weights from the kit (assuming they are lighter than stock) and go from there to fine tune as needed. One light spring, one heavy spring and nearly matched weights (if possible) seem to be the hot ticket.
Note: My testing was done on a turd-gen LG4 w-nitrous, so results may be a bit different if starting with a C4 governor.
I would suggest starting with both stock springs and 2 of the heaviest weights from the kit (assuming they are lighter than stock) and go from there to fine tune as needed. One light spring, one heavy spring and nearly matched weights (if possible) seem to be the hot ticket.
Note: My testing was done on a turd-gen LG4 w-nitrous, so results may be a bit different if starting with a C4 governor.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
Mines at 6400 using the kits. Fun trying to dial it in on the street. Just make sure to keep readings with each change. I have pretty light weights in mine. I also mixed kits. I think I have a Sonnex and B&M.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
I purchased a kit, but never got around to trying it... Looks like getting the cover off, and back on, with exhaust, etc on there will be a pain....
I have a good friend who rebuilds transmissions for a living. He gave me a a used governor to modify. He said the corvette governor's are hard to come by and suggested I did not want to ruin it....
I have a good friend who rebuilds transmissions for a living. He gave me a a used governor to modify. He said the corvette governor's are hard to come by and suggested I did not want to ruin it....
Yah I wanted to try both the same weights but I got it close enough and got tired of testing. This time I just went off my old notes and if I had a lift I'd try more to get both shifts exactly the same.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
For WOT shifts, where did you end up? Also, are you satisfied with the part throttle shifts? Assuming you get the vehicle high enough to get under, how hard was it to remove the cover, and reinstall with exhaust etc on car?
FWIW. I have had 2.59 gears. (Orig.) 3.54, 4.09, and 3.73 in my vette. Had the stock converter (1400?) a 3000 yank, and a 4400 vigilante. I cant see any difference in shift points with the same gov. But that has been my experience.
FWIW. I have had 2.59 gears. (Orig.) 3.54, 4.09, and 3.73 in my vette. Had the stock converter (1400?) a 3000 yank, and a 4400 vigilante. I cant see any difference in shift points with the same gov. But that has been my experience.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
I changed it to 1-2 5700rpm & 2-3 5600rpm in the video
Prior it was 1-2 6000rpm & 2-3 5600rpm acording to my notes, so the spring only effect the 1-2
Long story short it picked up about a tenth with the 6k 1-2, then I changed to high ratio rockers and it dropped a tenth, so I changed back to 5600rpm since the more aggressive rockers were making the stock lifters collapse most likely. Not timed it to confirm just didn't feel like swapping the rockers and wanted to lower the shift anyway to be easier on the engine long term.
I honestly never noticed a diff in part or normal cruise shifts, my main concern was WOT, seems to drive the same but they could be a bit higher???
The cover was hard to remove the 1st time and you can see more info bout the location/area around of the cover in the vid, as they say a picture is worth a 1000!
Prior it was 1-2 6000rpm & 2-3 5600rpm acording to my notes, so the spring only effect the 1-2
Long story short it picked up about a tenth with the 6k 1-2, then I changed to high ratio rockers and it dropped a tenth, so I changed back to 5600rpm since the more aggressive rockers were making the stock lifters collapse most likely. Not timed it to confirm just didn't feel like swapping the rockers and wanted to lower the shift anyway to be easier on the engine long term.
I honestly never noticed a diff in part or normal cruise shifts, my main concern was WOT, seems to drive the same but they could be a bit higher???
The cover was hard to remove the 1st time and you can see more info bout the location/area around of the cover in the vid, as they say a picture is worth a 1000!