hard 2 - 1 downshift in C6

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Aug 7, 2003 | 08:45 AM

fishin1976

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hard 2 - 1 downshift in C6

I have a '88 4x4 with the C6 that has a hard 2 to 1 down shift about 50% of the time. the trans only does this when coming to a stop and shifts perfectly smooth thru all three gears otherwise. It only takes about a second to engage drive or reverse so I don't think it is slipping. 80k on the trans, fluid is clean and clear, although has a small pan leak (changing pan gasket next weekend ( including filter). if it is a sticky valve, can I take the valve body off and clean it? or should I just leave it alone due to the chance that I may screw it up? I have never done trans work before, but I figured the pan gasket and the filter would be easy enough and hard to screw up.

Also, IF ( big IF) i do lower the valve body, how hard is it to install a shift kit? Is it worth it? I have heard that it extends the life of transmissions. Is this true? I know that it would shift harder with the shift kit, but it would be expected. When the tranny upshifts smooth, a harder downshift worries me.

Any other info I can provide?

Thanks in advance.

Aug 8, 2003 | 03:24 PM

fordin K

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From: Kapaa, Hawaii

hard 2 - 1 downshift in C6

ok sounds like one of your valves is sticking, if it was due to accumalator, it would act up on upshift too. the shift kit is not recommended to improve on bad performance, just enhance shift feel and performance. so they recommend fixing it first. you will definitely feel the upshift firmness. should not feel any downshift. removing pan and gasket is no problem, if you take off the valve body and separator plates, then you MUST becareful. the shift improver comes with everything you need to do the job except a lint free highly absorbent cloth....... LINT FREE...... I would recommend a finned deep pan too while your at it. if not atleast purchase and install a drain plug kit, it beats having to buy a gasket for every oil change.

Aug 8, 2003 | 03:24 PM

fordin K

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Joined: May 2003

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From: Kapaa, Hawaii

hard 2 - 1 downshift in C6

Aug 9, 2003 | 01:58 PM

fishin1976

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Joined: Jan 2003

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hard 2 - 1 downshift in C6

What can I do to unstick the sticky valve?

An additive, take it apart, just change fliud,, flush it out?

Is it true that the shift improver kit helps extend the life of the trans?

Thanks for the response, I won't be getting the pan or a shift kit for a while, as I just put $700 into the bottom end of the motor(new crank, rod and main bearings). But. I will be pulling the tranny pan to replace the gasket and filter.

Thanks again.