I know you guys are mostly into the 1st generation Camaros, but thought maybe someone could help me here.....I'm in the process of buying a one owner 23,000 mile '86 Iroc Z28 Camaro. My neighbor (good friend) manages the new car dealership where the car was traded, so I'm getting a real good deal and the car is just like new.
It has the 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive and it's all original with no modifications. I've got a question regarding the transmission. When I'm starting out, the shifting seems sort of aggressive almost like it had a shift kit (it doesn't). When I'm cruising about 30 mph and slowing to about 5 mph before a stop sign, the downshift feels sort of different. It's hard to describe the feeling, but it almost feel like a quick slip even though the transmission shifts just fine. I've never driven a 4 speed automatic and was wondering if this is normal for this transmission. The car was bought new and traded locally and I spoke with the original owner and he said he never had any problems and it shifted like this since new. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Bill
P.S. (When I'm in town, I put the selector in drive and when I'm on the open road, I use overdrive). The manual says to use overdrive all the time unless extra passing power is needed. Is this correct?

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<LI>My Retro '69 Z28 Camaro - http://hobbystage.net/camaro/redlines4us/
<LI>My Email 1969camaro@charter.net
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Bill,
The 700r4 in my 85 Blazer felt like it had a shift kit in it from the day it was new. I put over 150K miles on it with no problem. You might check the TV cable adjustment as that is what controls shift firmness in those transmissions. The adjustment is very easy, but hard to describe without showing you. If you get it wrong in the other direction (soft shifting)...you can burn up the trans REAL quick. I used to keep mine in D also, 99% of the time, but the Blazer was pretty heavy and the little 305 did not like od until about 65 mph. As long as you dont feel the trans shifting up and down out of O.D. too often, it will be fine if you leave it in O.D.
Hope this helps,

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Bill Koustenis
Owner
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
1971 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy" original owner

Thanks for the quick response. I think I'll stop by my local transmission shop tomorow and let them take it for a spin. Bill

I just took the Z to the transmission shop and he said everything is working normal and what I was feeling was the converter kicking out at low speed when I touched the brake. He said that was perfectly normal. Plus he said that there is very very little adjustment you can make with the cable. Thanks! Bill

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>My Retro '69 Z28 Camaro - http://hobbystage.net/camaro/redlines4us/
<LI>My Email 1969camaro@charter.net
[/list]

Ive got an 84 Z28 and pretty sure i have the same tranny, i know what your talking about, i thought i had a trans problem myself, but its apparently just as you put it "Aggressive" i also use drive on local roads and OD for highway usage, i like the extra power and horses on normal driving. there is no harm using OD or Drive all the time however dont use Drive on the highway im no pro on transmissions but youll notice when using drive on the highway that it winding out and needs that extra gear, im sure someone more knowledeable can explain this better but always use OD on the highway unless you need that extra passing power or Climbing. Good Luck with your New toy. By the wayalthough the majority of users here are 1st gen, dont let that fool ya, these guys know their stuff. and as far as we aer concerned a Camaro is a Camaro your in the right place. Welcome to Team Camaro, looking forward to hearing more from you.

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1984 Chevy Camaro (305)