LastKnight

For those of you who have a 4L60E that only shifts down to "2", here's how to have 1st if ya want it. All 4L60E's have a 1st gear. On later 4th generation F bodies the 1st gear was blocked. This prevents excessive noise should the tranny be shifted down into 1st at a given RPM. '96 and later F bodies have at least 10 more horsepower than earlier LT1 based cars, which of course produces a slightly louder exhaust note. Shifting into 1st would violate noise pollution laws so the gear was blocked off. If you want that 1st gear back, remove the top shift console plate. You'll have to remove the shifter **** and possibly the cigarette lighter connections for ease of accessibility. Run the shifterall the way back, by pushing the white plastic rod where the **** was down, to 2nd gear. You'll notice that the shifter rod itself hits a small plastic block. Push the shifter all the way forward for accessibility. Using a small hack saw (like an Exacto or similar) remove the plastic block by simply cutting it away. This simple modification, if done correctly (even Bill Gates couldn’t mess this up) will allow you to shift down into the unmarked gear, or 1st gear. Voila, replace the shift console plate and the shifter **** and you're done!

Unfortunately you will have to either live with the unmarked 1st gear or use your ingenuity to create a "1" indicator. Apparently shift consoles from cars that have a "1" will not fit those that do not. Who cares? 1st gear is 1st gear whether others see it or not, right?

Not sure if anyone knows about this. Being that I just replaced my stock 4L60E, I'm not sure I want to try it. Does anyone know if this will shorten the life a tranny?

Thanks.

buffman

iTrader: (9)

Are you sure it wasnt to perhaps pervent the accidental downshift into 1st gear??? The 9c1 Caprices had 1st gear lockout for that reason

ChocoTaco369

are you talking about just under normal driving??

because if i hammer it at 35mph it shifts into 1st gear and slingshots me (i have 2.73's)

also, if i slow down to 5 mph i'm in first gear i believe...

buffman

iTrader: (9)

he's talking about manually putting the car into first gear with the shifter..

Frosty

iTrader: (17)

ESIT: Nevermind, he's talking about LT1 cars.

SmokingWS6

iTrader: (1)

3.23 auto lt1's of select years were limited to manually shifting down to 2st. 2.73 geared cars were not blocked. our good old goverment determined it was too loud to be able to downshift.

All you have to do is replace your center console with one that allows for 1st gear downshifting.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Or score a sicks speed!

LS1 Eddie

iTrader: (2)

Zombie

iTrader: (2)

Yeah but that makes the car slower

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I don't think this applies to LS1 cars. Mine sure didn't do that.

95FbFormula

iTrader: (25)

Actually my rpo codes have me as stock 2.73 in my 95 and it doesnt show first might be because i have the perform button my firends 97 has 1st block off to. It probbaly wont hurt your tranny unless you drop to first doing like 40+. LOL i didi that once after my trans go had been installed tho Loudest thing ever had about 500 rpm the banged rev limit at 62k for me.

revtime

iTrader: (1)

Jeez, search please.

The 2.73 cars had 1st gear locked out not the 3.23 cars.
If you had the performance axle ratio you got to be able to select first gear.
This is one of the easiest ways to tell on the LT1s what gear ratio it had.
If its an auto and shifter only will go to 2 then it was a 2.73 car.
If its an auto and 1st gear is selectable then it was a 3.23 car.
If its a six speed then it was a 3.42 car.

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

You shouldn't be downshifting yourself anyway so why does it even matter? 1 is good for a burnout but that's about it, at all other times you should let the tranny do it.

Armyman2445

iTrader: (17)

only problem with that is after a while you'll break your shifter cable. Its just barely long enough to be put in 1st. Keep doing it and it will break from stress