I've had this 90 L98 for about 5 mos now..most of which I've spent re-freshing from the previous owners long storage. I haven't taken it to track yet but it feels really strong..I've blown away a newer model Z28 and even beat a newer C-5 from 0-80 mph (may have been weak driver) just punk street racing to name a few. I'm wondering what may have been done to the 700R because it shifts hard and tonight while running off and leaving a hill billy in a hopped up Pick-up at about a 52 mph start I accidently pulled her all the way into L-first and it actually went (OUCH!) and it quickly redlined so I reacted as fast as I could and shifted..she caught a hard second and left the truck in the dust without missing a beat. It kind of freaked me out because in my last vette (an 84) you couldn't do that..if you were going too fast to shift into 1st or 2nd you could pull the shifter down and it just wouldn't shift..it too had the 700r4 turbo hydramatic..
So, do you guys think it has a shift kit or was this a fluke?? Or is it because I have a stage II chip?? All I know is that I felt REAL BAD:(. kind of like I punched my girl..or kicked my dog or something. :jester I'm going to not pull so hard next time..So what do you guys think?? Kit or chip??

 

sounds like it has a shift kit in it. here is part of a description of a shift kit from transgo for the 700R4

"you'll be able to hold all gears to any RPM. You will also be able to downshift at any RPM"

I just bought the kit for my vette and am waiting to get it in there.

 

i have seen a chip for sale on ebay saying it was a stage 3 shift thingymbobber whatever u want to call it. i have the automatic its an 89'. will it work and is it worth it

 

i have seen a chip for sale on ebay saying it was a stage 3 shift from fairbanks thingymbobber whatever u want to call it. i have the automatic its an 89'. will it work and is it worth it ok check this im not sure if it is a scamhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2479186448&s spagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1



[Modified by dand1892, 10:28 PM 5/23/2004]

 

The 700R/4 is independent of the ECM so a chip change cannot effect shift points nor shift feel. Only TC lockup point is controlled by the ECM.

When you dropped into 1st gear you likely tached up to about 5,700rpm (assuming 2.59 gears) which is a little high for a nearly stock L98. If you intend to play up there often you should do some valve train work.

If under hard throttle your A4 shifts very quickly and hard you likely have a shift kit installed. Under hard throttle I always get a nice chirp on the 1-2 shift; at WOT sometines even a polite "wag".

 

Thanks 65z01..Yeah maybe my plan to keep "bone stock" is already foiled. I'm the 3rd owner of car and the second guy basically bought it, drove it very little and stored it..then later divorce forced sale. He said the first guy had "done a few things" but couldn't remember what.. but didn't think it was major. So I guess I need to get inside at some point and find out. All I know is that she is very strong..Oh yeah, I forgot to mention..I also pulled my buddy in his 94 LT1 by about 1-1/2 car lengths through our little "back road 1/4 mile" we set up...he was PISSED! :mad ..I was like :lolg:


[Modified by skateparkdave, 12:46 PM 5/22/2004]

 

Oh yeah MYRED84C4, when you get that kit in be careful not to be a dummy like me and pull her into first doing 50+ :nonod: I think I'll look into a duel gate shifter or B&M or something where I'll have to move over a click before down...either that or pull my head out out of my butt :thumbs:

 

Heh I have done that not in my vette tho. I had a 400 turbo with a shift kit. Forgot it was a 3 speed and put it in first on the freeway. Blew the belts off my poor car.... Luckily the AC belt was the one to break and I managed to put the alt belt back on with a screwdriver and my wife turning the motor over with the key. ;D SO even having a ratchet shifter it not idiot proof. :crazy: :crazy:

 

The only thing that the chip in an 89 can control is the TCC lockup. There's no such thing as a stage 3 trans chip. You can do something to your trans if you have an LTx car with the 4L60E, but not with the 700R4 which is the auto in the 89.

Ron

 

Well, that's one reason I bought a used stock shift gate and cut steps into it so that now I must depress the button to down shift from 3rd.

As a plus it now clicks on each upshift from 1st through 3rd.