Why does my '91 3.1 hold it's shifts for so long??

[85_305]

My 3.1 goes quick, then as it nears the top of the RPM's it dogs out, goes absolutely NOWHERE, once 2nd hits it torque-steers into second, takes off like a mofo, gets to the top of the RPM range, hits third and mildly kicks the wheel sideways, then takes off like an even quicker bat outta hell etc. Why the heck does it do this? If I buy that 3.1 chip off of this site, can I reprogram my car to shift 500rpm, or maybe a 1k RPM lower??
Thanks,
Matt

[SappySE107]

The gen 2 intake manifolds are only good to 4500 or so rpm. You would need to swap to a gen 3 setup, make a custom manifold, or swap the engine to get it to make power higher. If you want to shift sooner, I believe you will have to change something physical. I know that the chip won't help you because a 91 3.1 is going to have a non electronically controlled transmission.

[86euro]

Your tranny T.V. cable may not be adjusted properly, also.

[85_305]

The gen 2 intake manifolds are only good to 4500 or so rpm. You would need to swap to a gen 3 setup, make a custom manifold, or swap the engine to get it to make power higher. If you want to shift sooner, I believe you will have to change something physical. I know that the chip won't help you because a 91 3.1 is going to have a non electronically controlled transmission.

Dammit!! Are you positive that I can't retune it to shift lower? By 3gen intake, you mean a "3100" intake right? Are those a direct bolt-in?

Your tranny T.V. cable may not be adjusted properly, also.

How would the TV cable affect this? By not shifting the car when it's supposed to be? I mean.. it shifts damn near, if NOT, redline.. but that's MUCH too high for this car. It's dead right about 4500rpms so in essence, I am LOOSING speed by shifting so high

[85_305]

I know that the chip won't help you because a 91 3.1 is going to have a non electronically controlled transmission.

And hey I was just rethinking and looking at that 60*v6 3.1 chip.. it says you can set in-gear revlimiters? Well, let's say I have the revlimiter set to 4500. Or 4600. Or whatever rpm i want. Wont that effectively change the shifting rpm's?

[SappySE107]

No, that will effectively keep you in gear and piss you off:P It might shift eventually but I tried that before but at 3500 RPM just to see if it worked.

[85_305]

Dammit I f*ckin suck. Is there some way I could adjust the TV cable to make it shift sooner?? Or SOMETHING? I need this b*tch to get outta gear at about 4500 rpms lol.


EDIT: Oh and one more thing. I notice that if I let off the accelerator when the R's get high, and it will shift gears quicker.. otherwise it dogs waaaaay out until it switches at redline/orangeline

[SappySE107]

Gotta let off to shift. The TV cable is your kick down cable, not your upshift cable. Its all vacuum controlled. Maybe changing the valvebody or something. Im not the trans expert.

[86euro]

Gotta let off to shift. The TV cable is your kick down cable, not your upshift cable. Its all vacuum controlled. Maybe changing the valvebody or something. Im not the trans expert.

The T.V. cable actually does determine the shift points. The vacuum control is for shift firmness. You can adjust for an earlier shift by pulling out on the center of the cable at the TB linkage. To adjust for a later shift, push in the metal tab and slide the cable back in. You don't want to deviate too far from the stock settings, or tranny damage could result. This applies to the 440t4/4t60 (non-electric).

[Tonglebeak]

How about a th125c (3t40e)?

[85_305]

The T.V. cable actually does determine the shift points. The vacuum control is for shift firmness. You can adjust for an earlier shift by pulling out on the center of the cable at the TB linkage. To adjust for a later shift, push in the metal tab and slide the cable back in. You don't want to deviate too far from the stock settings, or tranny damage could result. This applies to the 440t4/4t60 (non-electric).

This is the tranny I have? Do you think I can knock 500-1k rpm's off my shift by playing with this kick down?
Where is the kickdown adjuster located? Sorry guys.. not terribly familiar with this car yet.. but thanks for the help!

[SappySE107]

Its on the throttle body cable bracket. Been a while since I had your setup in my 91. The cable goes from the transmission, which is easy to see if you remove your intake air box. It routes behind the motor and loops back towards the throttle body and should have a bracket to itself that is connected to one of your upper intake manifold bolts.

[86euro]

This is the tranny I have? Do you think I can knock 500-1k rpm's off my shift by playing with this kick down?
Where is the kickdown adjuster located? Sorry guys.. not terribly familiar with this car yet.. but thanks for the help!

You can lower the shift points down ridiculously low, but I wouldn't go more than 500 rpm to be safe.

BTW, the T.V. cable on the 3speed auto is setup the same way, but it also controls shift firmness (no vacuum line), so not a good idea to adjust different from factory specs. *not 100% positive on this last statement*

[85_305]

First off, I just reanalyzed my shifting. It shifts at whatever the factory redline is, but I need only knock 500 R's off of that. The car pulls past 4500 rpm's like I was thinking.

Its on the throttle body cable bracket. Been a while since I had your setup in my 91. The cable goes from the transmission, which is easy to see if you remove your intake air box. It routes behind the motor and loops back towards the throttle body and should have a bracket to itself that is connected to one of your upper intake manifold bolts.

I found the TV line, but what do I do to actually adjust it?

You can lower the shift points down ridiculously low, but I wouldn't go more than 500 rpm to be safe.

BTW, the T.V. cable on the 3speed auto is setup the same way, but it also controls shift firmness (no vacuum line), so not a good idea to adjust different from factory specs. *not 100% positive on this last statement*

Ok cool, 500 rpm is about all I will need to get this Baby cookin'
I have the four speed though, so I should be good right?

[86euro]

right