#70SM2

I've been playing with this B&M spring & weight kit for a couple weeks. But really haven't been able to test as many possible combinations as I would like. My first Governor shifted at 3400rpm. My new Corvette Governor shifted at 4400rpm. I dropped 2 weights (Lighter) and 2 springs (Lighter) and it shifted perfectly at 5200rpm. like clockwork. I put in a lighter spring and it shifted 1-2" at 5800, 2-3: 5200, so I put back the green spring and went 1 weight liter . I still can't get the 355 to hook up .. the tires spin everywhere ..

65Z01

Sounds like you are in the groove.

How difficult is it to get the governor cover on/off? Once it's off does the governor just pull right out?

#70SM2

Cover pops right off w/screwdiver .. the governor slides out like your 3d. baby!

darkman5001

This governor topic interests me, as I am looking to improve the performance of the car. Where did you get the governor kit? I looked on summit, and I still can't find it. How much was it, and exactly where is the governor and how hard was it to get out? Thanks!

Sliding

Does the tranny fluid have to go out?

C4Crazy787

Here's the summit part # BMM-20248 its 29$
I'm thinking of installing one of these kits aswell.

#70SM2

Thats correct, the kit is only $29 .. It's comprised of 6 weights & 6 springs, 2 axle's with clips. You have to cut the ends off the old axle's, but the new ones are reusable for changing combinations.

1st. thing I discovered was, it's a piece of cake! and really kinda fun to do. My experience is change a spring & weight lighter raises the shift point equally for each gear. Change a spring but no weight, changes shift's higher in one gear but not another. I'm real close now, but still need a little more testing. We've had a lot of rain lately so haven't been able to test latest change, but have it shifting at 5600rpm. right in the torque curve for my 355 Trick Flow setup. Oh ya, you only lose a shot glass or 2 of tranny fluid, could be a problem if it was real good scotch.

Vic'89

I have done this mod to get my shift point to 5200 rpms.

Lots of Trial and error to get the job done.

On my 89, the exhaust doesnt have to come off to get the Governor cover off. And only a drop or 2 of Tranny fluid will come out IF you remove the cover when the Tranny is COLD.

Vic

#70SM2

Not really that much trial, if you don't do to much change at a time and keep track of changes. I think I tried 5 times and have it exactly where I want it! It shifts right at the end of 5400rpm. just see 5500 and it's shifted, precisely the same every gear. The governor is easily accessable in my 86, nothing to remove. What I have verified by experimentation is that equal weight & spring changes, changes the shift points the same in each gear, as do weight changes. Change a spring and shift point rpms. change from gear to gear. I ultimately went 3 weights lighter & 2 springs lighter, only changed 1 side of Governor.. Perfect.

#70SM2

I located this thread from a while ago, not so easy, since a number of folks have questions about Governor Recalibration.

XtremeVette

I have a 1990 automatic that just had a tranny rebuild this past summer....its goes very nice and Iam happy with all EXCEPT MY DREADED 1ST TO SECOND SHIFT!....its like at 5200-5500 right now.....and this is on my only bolt on L-98!....so its sorta out of the power band....this plus it seems to not be a very quick and positive shift....it sorta wines and wines and then finally shifts.....Iam hoping going back to my tranny guy and telling him to adjust my governor weights will do the trick!

JrRifleCoach

This over the top first to second shift seems to be common for the 86. Just curious #70SM2, do you have any record of the exact weight and spring combinations? I'd like to get started on mine and any info you can share would be gratfully accepted.

My recordings to date are;
1-2 5500 and long pause (1-2 seconds) before she finally shifts.
2-3 5200 just perfect.
3-4 3400 waaay too early. I found that locking the TC early will eliminate the premature 3-4 shift and let 3rd stretch out to 5000.

-JRC-

TIMSPEED

I have a Brand New GM Governor, ready to put in the vette, wondering if anyone knows what rpm it'll shift at, right out of the box? Cuz if it'll pop at 5000, then I'll leave it be.

JrRifleCoach

Yeah, I bought one of these off of ebay for 10 bucks. No markings or part numbers visible. Here's the start of some part specs.

New gov - blue drive gear
Side 1
Spring - purple (heavy)
Weight - 242 grns -- 0.55 oz.
Side 2
Spring - white (light)
Weight - 236 grns -- 0.539 oz.

B&M Gov Kit
Weights
#1 - 233.5 grns -- 0.533 oz.
#2 - 220.2 grns -- 0.462 oz.
#3 - 173.5 grns -- 0.396 oz.
#4 - 110.0 grns -- 0.251 oz.
#5 - 98.0 grns -- 0.224 oz.
#6 - 84.1 grns -- 0.192 oz.
Springs
Purple -- Heavy (different from GM spring)
Blue
Green
Yellow
Orange
Red -- Light

I'll have more to report once I have removed the running govenor and document it's weights and springs.

#70SM2

It may take some experimenting, but my first guess would be to just try a spring change, like 1 spring heavier, a lighter spring will make it shift later. One thing, I went 1 spring lighter and it shifted late from 1-2 & early from 2-3. All the stuff I did was only on the one side of the governor, side with the heavy purple spring. My experience was that a weight change will change shift points equally each gear. But that might be different if you change something on the other side of governor, which you may need to if the heavy purple is on now. Let us know what you find.

JrRifleCoach

Right!
B&M troubleshooting guide mentions;
-To increase weight and/or spring tension for late shifts.
-To decrease weight and/or spring tension for early shifts.

Your experience;
-A weight change will change shift points equally for each gear.

I found a website with some further info;
Lighter weights will bring later shifts (heavier-earlier)
Stiffer springs will produce stacked, closer shifts.
Lighter springs will tend to space the shifts apart.

Thus your findings and statement are right on!

-JRC-

REDC4CORVETTE

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/700r4.htm

#70SM2

I just installed they're Raptor Level3 $2000.00 .. but I checked them and they want $20 more than Summit for the recalibration kit, but good info. there. I have stuck valve, we think on the tranny, it's not engine braking 1-2-3. I was a little surprised when I spoke with them about it, and they told me they just stick in any old valve body they have. I really would have expected that they would have gone through the valve body for $2000.00.

JrRifleCoach

After my R4 was overhauled she stuck in 2nd gear and I limped her home the shop had me pull the gov to be sure it wasn't stuck. It wasn't. So the TV valve assy was probably stuck. They added an additive from NAPA that helps to slick up the new moving parts. Dropped a pint in there and never had another problem. It a synthetic sperm oil that does not gunk up the oil, just helps to make the new parts slide easier.