I recently bought a 98 Camaro that shifts really firm on the 1-2 shift, necksnappingly so at light throttle. All other shifts are fine, TCC works too. No codes, already cleaned MAF and checked the TPS via OBD.

I found some posts that point towards the 1-2 accumulator spring/piston so I pulled it today. I've never had one of these open before, can someone tell me if that little sleeve thing belongs in there? It's a really sloppy fit around the pin, doesn't quite strike me as a factory part.

 

Someone has changed this setup. Go to a transmission shop and get the two original springs that goe in first, then install the piston. No little sleeve is used here. The piston will now make contact with the separator plate and not the accumulator spring. If the aluminum piston fits loosely on the pin, replace the piston with a new aluminum one, and maybe get a better pin that was originaly used with a plastic piston. Replace the seal also. This will put the part throttle shifts back to stock, which is what you want.

 

This looks like a variation of the B&W shift kit for 16-year olds who to chirp their tires with their V6.
There should be 2 springs under the piston, one inside the other. You can get a stiffer outer spring to tighten the shift up a bit (from stock).

I see you are in the Netherlands which might make finding the correct springs difficult. If you get stuck, PM me and I will send you a variety of springs for just the shipping charge.

 

Dayna did you happen to see his location? Being that he is in the Netherlands that might be a little difficult. It looks like you have the correct outer spring but will need the inner spring. The GM # for this part is 8685656 for the inner spring and the outer is 24209794. For a complete housing with springs and piston the # is 24203239. You could always try to hit up WIT to get a good used set as well. HTH Vince

 

Thanks for the responses. Vince I looked for 8681195 but that comes up as a servo spring. I've done some sleuthing and from what I can find on the net the stock inner spring for a 98 LS1 Z28 is pink, #8685656. There's also the following inners:

Natural 74926F / 8684431
Orange 74926AA / 8685655
White 74926BA / 8684570

I've spent the morning on the phone trying to track it down locally, so far no luck. Guy on the phone told me any one of the above will work well enough, they just didn't have any in stock, so he'll order one for me from the states.

 

Vince might know this for sure, but I suspect the GM makes difference springs for different cars. Soft spring for family cars, stiffer springs for performance cars.
Keep in the mind that Transgo and Sonnax make shift kits which include all the springs and parts for the accumulators. (Each sets it up differently and differently from stock, but all the parts are included.)

 

now this is really strange..........did the old TG kits have this spacer? and I know that there have been different 1-2 housings thru the yrs ......the TG kit i put in had the different 1-2 springs and those washer spacer things......but i did not use any of the TG springs and kept the stock dual spring setup with NO TG spacers in the accumulator......it is still a plenty firm shift

 

The Transgo HD2 kit uses a spring on each side of the piston and 1 to 3 washers underneath. One washer typically makes it plenty stiff, but you can put in two or three. This pictures shows how it stacks up; this shows one washer with the extra two unused.



I have seen two different 1-2 housings. The newest ones (e.g. on a 2010) are shallower and I therefore use one less washer than I would on an older one. Always need at least one washer though.

 

I do apologize I read the wrong line when looking across the page for the number and yes you are correct! I did correct my post above in case someone does a search and doesn't order the wrong part!

Yes in most cases this is true but more so for the outer spring. Truth be told, being that most of these units I have built have used a shift kit, I never really pay attention to this spring. If I were to have a broken one in a stock unit I would replace it with what came out.

 

now which of the stock spring P/Ns is stiffer than the others?

my 1-2 shift is the firmest of all 4.....dont have a clue why............since i did not use the TG springs

 

You can order a variety of springs here for just less than a dollar each (plus shipping):

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...rts_s/5563.htm

I have them all, but it is surprising hard to compare them without spring measuring equipment. I use the HD2 setup anyway.

 

if you go by just spring wire thickness the white spring is .138 ....purple .131 and red .114

but i remember that my stock setup had 2 springs......but i cant remember if it was above or below the piston

 

The stock setup has a stiff inner spring that fits into the recess in the housing. In stock both springs are below the piston.

Also, the wire thickness might be misleading as the springs are also different lengths - a longer spring might have more force when compressed than a slightly thicker shorter spring.

 

Update:

I ordered the pink inner spring (8685656) and installed it, left the sleeve out. Both springs below the piston. Also changed filter & o-ring, and added about 5 liters of new ATF.

1-2 shift is nice and smooth now

Thanks for the help!

 

Thanks for the update and glad to hear you finally got the right parts and that it works well now.