Author Topic: Kick down cable  (Read 1543 times)

Offline gunmetal

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Kick down cable
« on: October 28, 2009 - 07:33:03 PM »
Do I need a Kick down cable on the car?  I was told that with out the cable the tranny won't shift right and could end up causing damage to the tranny.  I was told I should always shift the car by hand without it.  72 challenger, 340, 727 auto, 410 gears.

If so; anyone got a line on a cable?




Offline dodge freak 2

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2009 - 07:44:29 PM »
If the car do not have a manual valve body it needs it..no matter what or it burn up--fast.

Does it shift by it self as speed increases, if yes then it NEEDS a kickdown rod or cable.

Don't drive it until it gets it...or wire the kickdown level by the trans at least halfway in and don't give the motor more than 30% throttle..it will shift late and firm but live until you get a cable or rod for it. 

Offline brads70

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2009 - 07:57:02 PM »
My car is not on the road yet but I went with the Lokar kickdown cable.
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline gunmetal

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2009 - 08:14:22 PM »
So even if I shift by hand I should not drive the car?

Offline 72hemi

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2009 - 08:16:18 PM »
If your car does not have a manual valve body then you have to either have an aftermarket kickdown cable or factory kickdown linkage. If you don't then yes it will cause damage to the transmission.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline dodge freak 2

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2009 - 08:54:10 PM »
If you do have to drive it  and don't wanna crawl under to wire the kickdown level 50% or more in-towards the rear of the car, then you better drive it very softly..like no more then 5% of the gas at anytime or speed.

The kickdown level increases and decreases the oil pressure inside the trans. Thus the more oil pressure the firmer the clutches hold and the later the trans shifts gears. That happens as you step on the gas, the deeper your foot goes to the floor, the higher the oil pressure is inside the trans so the clutches don't slip and burn up. when you lift off the gas the motor makes less power and the trans clutches need not to hold as firm.

So right now the trans thinks the motor isn't getting any throttle and is just stop. That is why you should not drive it, the more gas you give it the quicker those clutches--and bands will burn up. You could ruin the trans in mins if driven hard.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2009 - 08:57:01 PM by dodge freak 2 »

Offline dodge freak 2

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2009 - 09:03:39 PM »
So even if I shift by hand I should not drive the car?


Somebody got mix up it sounds like.

With a manual valve body--the type that only will shift by hand, it never can shift on its own does not need a kickdown cable. On those valve bodies the oil pressure is always high, it still increases more as the rpms build since the oil pump is spinning faster but its always higher than yours is with no kickdown cable.

If you want no kickdown cable then you need a manual valve body. (those are race units but can be made to work good on the street as long as you understand the shifts will be firmer and may even squeal the tires on shifts even part throttle)   

Offline tactransman

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2009 - 07:22:37 AM »
Terry-tactransman 
Torqueflite/Automatic Transmission Specialist
Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Offline brads70

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2009 - 07:52:46 AM »
Gunmetal, Tactransman is our resident tranny expert! I do believe that is the best kit. I had already bought the Lokar kit  when Terry put me on to theBouchillon kit.
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline gunmetal

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2009 - 12:20:11 PM »
Thanks to everyone... again this site proves to be a wealth of knowledge.  Same with me I've already ordered the Lokar cable, hope to have it tomorrow and will try my hand at installing it.

Any tips on the install, sounds like it might not be to tough?  Even for a rookie/newbie?

Offline gunmetal

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2009 - 12:39:34 PM »
Does anyone have any photos of a Lokar kick down cable installed at the tranny and at the carb for reference?

Offline tactransman

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2009 - 12:50:35 PM »
There is at least one thread on here. The pics might be gone though!!!  :poopoke:
Terry-tactransman 
Torqueflite/Automatic Transmission Specialist
Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Offline tactransman

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2009 - 01:00:20 PM »
Here is one I found while eating lunch.

Terry-tactransman 
Torqueflite/Automatic Transmission Specialist
Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Offline gunmetal

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2009 - 03:44:52 PM »
Awesome, now I'm going to be needy, one of the tranny.  I've never done anything like this before, visuals would be very helpful.

Offline the_engineers

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Re: Kick down cable
« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2009 - 08:36:29 PM »
The Bouchillon kit came with great instructions  :poopoke:
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.