[LoudMalibu]

should my shift kit work if i don't have the kickdown cab;e hooked up, i have a 81 malibu with a th350, and i put the shift kit in myself, did i mess something up or will it work with that kickdown cable hooked up.

[willys36@aol.com]

The 'kickdown' cable does much more than just shift to second when you punch the throttle. It also gives the tranny other signals so it will shift properly at other speeds than WOT. Don't even cosider running on the street w/o the throttle cable hooked up and properly adjusted.

[Dave E Shank]

HEY LOUD: I ran a B&M Shift kit without the kick down cable on a 350/350 setup for about ten years without any problem. Last winter I went to a Transco shift kit from Sumitt Racing and it is much better but I still do not run a kick down cable I am not saying that it is better or worse but just answering your initial question that YES you can run okay without the cable connected....DAVE

[mustang66maniac]

th350s shifts are vacuum modulater controlled. The kickdown cable just kicks down a gear.

[74huggerorange]

are you sure you dont have a th350c?

[Crosley]

T-350 upshifts are controlled by vacuum, the governor and the cable hooked to the carb.

At low speeds the vacuum modulator controls the upshifts along with the governor.

As the throttle is opened the detent cable is pulled and along with lower vacuum the main line pressure is increased. This results in higher shift points .

At low speeds, the governor springs control the upshifts more till around 35 mph depending on gear ratio, tire size etc. After that the governor weights control the upshifts.

Most folks think the cable on a T-350 is merely a passing gear. On a tranny dyno I can run a T-350 up to 3500 rpm in high gear with NO cable pull. I can then pull the cable to MAX and the main line pressure will rise an average of 15% or more. Depending on the setup on the governor and other valve body items, the tranny make kick down to second gear too.

Many folks think the cable can be unhooked and all is well. I disagree since the cable pull increases main line pressure which equals more holding power for the clutch packs.

Since many of us here are into performance with these trannys, I think more holding poower is good.

just my opinion.

[ March 04, 2003: Message edited by: Crosley ]</p>

[LoudMalibu]

well it is a th350c and i bought the shift kit for that type of tranny,

it still shifts like stock you know the old shift it then 1 second later it shifters after revving up

so i guess i messed up, DAM gunna go take it out soon and fix it

[airworld2]

many shift kits and shift improvement kits state that this kit is not a cure all for ailing transmissions. I dont know how many times I've had someone come to my shop for a shift kit but the transmission was shot but his buddy told him a shift kit would make it like new! most 350 transmission can be made to work great with out buying any thing, just get some one to share their
knowlege with you. some do it your self guys here are quick to point out web sites but dont know anything else.

[LoudMalibu]

well i thought it was in good shape. i might have messed something up with the shift kit which is probally what happened. but im gunna have the tranny rebuilt and with the shift kit.

[th375Bmark]

hi ya i ran the street n strip year back with a 350 trans without a kickdown and my mt trans in drive position and the pedal mashed to the floor it would slam into 2 gear at 82 mph by using a 1 3/4 adjustible vacumn modulotor valvw with the adjusting skrew all the wat to right AKA every full turn to the right is about 3 mph increase Oh bye the way i had airplane gears 2.73 but it ran bracket 2 in the 8th mile ,nothing like crossing the finish line in 1st gear...cable-chopper mark...