[mavracer71]

Is it safe to eliminate the kickdown rod on my dad's 71 maverick with a C4 and manually downshift into 2nd? Or is this going to grenade the trans?

 

[gregaust]

The kickdown can be left off no problems will occur..

 

[ckelly]

I have found that for racing with the trans, it's best ot have a properly adjusted kick down in place. Just seems to work better.

 

[64 TBOLT]

when you race do you leave the selector in drive?? or shift it manualy

 

[64 TBOLT]

 

[ckelly]

Shift manually.

 

[64 TBOLT]

then you dont need the kick down rod

 

[Mario428]

On 2006-05-01 08:25, 64TBOLT2 wrote:
then you dont need the kick down rod

The kickdown properly adjusted at full throttle will increase line pressure making the tranny shift harder and last longer.

 

[ckelly]

Exactly. And without it, I've seen the trans shift by its self on the 2-3, exactly what you don't want if you're ET racing. Especially if it likes to pick it's own RPM to shift.

 

[64 TBOLT]

Exactly. And without it, I've seen the trans shift by its self on the 2-3

if your shifting manually it shouldnt shift by it self.you should be able to hold any gear till the engine blows

 

[Mario428]

On 2006-05-02 08:55, 64TBOLT2 wrote:
Exactly. And without it, I've seen the trans shift by its self on the 2-3

if your shifting manually it shouldnt shift by it self.you should be able to hold any gear till the engine blows

Maybe you should be able to but there is plenty of evidence that you cannot.
Kickdown pressure does help hold the shift valve in place.

 

[ckelly]

if your shifting manually it shouldnt shift by it self.you should be able to hold any gear till the engine blows

You'd think - and all the kits say you can - but it might. It may be a govenor issue, but it can happen. Fought it on the Mustang, trans would shift 2-3 at between 5400 and 5800. Same with B&M kit and with TransGo. Had the VB out of that trans a bunch. Finally bought the Lokar stuff like I have on the Falcon for kickdown - problem solved. She's already tested the 6500 RPM limiter in second.

 

[63SportsCoupe]

I had same problem without kickdown in place...replaced prior manual/auto VB kit with full manual forward shift pattern transgo kit and eliminated problem.

 

[kmracer]

so.. how does one go about adjust the kickdown? i want harder shifts.