M998 Shifts Early

[brazengoat06]

I have a new to me M998 that shifts entirely too early. im in 3rd at 15mph. My first thought is to check the modulator and vacuum source however it looks like the vacuum hose is made onto the modulator. anyways hoping for some thoughts. thanks

 

[Katavic918]

Seems normal to me. Under light to normal acceleration they shift into 3rd very early. Now if you put it to the floor and it shifts into 3rd at 15mph then you might have a problem.

 

[Bulldogger]

I second Katavic918's description. Mine will shift as late as 28-30MPH but only if I have the go pedal mashed to the floor. I posted somewhere about it myself after getting my beast running and road-worthy and was told the same thing. In my case giving it an Italian Tune up seemed to help a little. That's where you push it hard, to a higher performance than normal driving. Not exceeding limits, just pushing harder than normal and making it work for a change.

I tried but couldn't find that thread. It isn't one I started.

If you have not changed your fluids and filter, I recommend you do that ASAP. Only then is the trans getting a more reasonable assessment.

Bulldogger

 

[brazengoat06]

thats very interesting thanks, that being said has anyone thought to change out the governor to allow it to have a different shift pattern

 

[Carrera911]

Make sure the throttle cable doesn't have any slack. Mine would only open 2/3 when I got my truck and not only was it not giving the engine full fuel but it wouldn't engage the kickdown switch. Mash it from a stop and it'll wind out the gears approx 30 in first and 50 in second. At half throttle acceleration it probably hits 3rd at 20-25

 

[brazengoat06]

drove it again and WOT it does prolong the shifts but not at 30 or 50 mph. prob more like 15 and 30ish.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

It's normal....

 

[Katavic918]

I don't think mine has ever been in first. I think I hit second once. It loves third gear so I just leave it there. I get what you're saying though. When I first got mine I thought something was wrong. I also think it would be way more drivable if it would wind out a little more between shifts. I sometimes drop the gearshift into second if I need to but other than that I let it do its thing. I think of the transmission as a sort of CVT.

 

[Behr]

For this very reason, anytime I'm at a red light on a steep hill I shift manually. Otherwise my rig likes to shift to third on the way up and blow a little black smoke.

 

[Chrism998]

Pull the governor and see if it's stuck the center valve should move freely up and down with the side weights

 

[brazengoat06]

Anyone ever swapped out the governors with a more forgiving unit?

 

[brazengoat06]

I've got a 400 out of a cucv I may swap governors with that