why does 2nd gear band suck
The shift timing is very important.
The stock band sucks mainly when you put in a real big servo, the band anchors are not strong enough and they will either rip off or the pin will punch a hole through.
and what this might imply for people screwing
down the shift adaptation time trying to make
some events happen faster, while maybe others
have no such "handle"? Like, making apply faster
and release slower (both effects of high line?)
might be a way to increase "overlap"?
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and what this might imply for people screwing
down the shift adaptation time trying to make
some events happen faster, while maybe others
have no such "handle"? Like, making apply faster
and release slower (both effects of high line?)
might be a way to increase "overlap"?
Tuning can play a part in it too but my opinion is to get the mechanical stuff set up properly, then tune it.
Now shift timing is what I'm talking about, shift overlap is what you don't want, that would be the 3-4 applying before the band was fully released. Or even a cut loose, that would be the band releasing before the 3-4 was applied. One thing that helps is the design of the third accumulator, it's behind the servo so when third oil moves to apply the 3-4 it also moves to push the band off.
I'm not even sure this is the problem the original poster has, just a guess. If I had my hands on one of their burnt up transmissions maybe the problem can be narrowed down.
But like I said you need to take care of the mechanical stuff first, tune it later.
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when i had the trans in the 00 formula rebuilt the first time, i bought all kinds of goodies. superior HD shift kit, z-pak 3-4 clutches, torque drive (hardened input drum, shaft) larger boost valve, and some other goodies. at 1500 miles, i lost 3-4. took it apart. the kevlar band was burned and the z-pak gone. replaced those parts. at 700 miles i lost the 2nd again. after opening it, the new kevlar band was toast and the z-pak had over .050" worn!!! so, out went the z-pak and in went the commercial pack. new 2nd gear kevlar band and put in the superior 2nd gear super servo.
now i've finally taken out the stock 2nd gear band in her car. only thing ever done was up the shift firmness. which was done for about a year now. in the last month i upped the shift point by 300 rpms. which makes it shift around 6200 rpms. which is where i think about what mike senia said about the 13 vane pump cavatating.
Last edited by mrr23; Nov 9, 2005 at 12:06 AM.
to let you know, the z-pak was set up to raybestos tolerances of .050"-.070". they were at .055".now imagine 700 miles goes by only to find out they wore to .105"
my only point is we are kinda getting away from the whole 2nd gear issue by now talking about the 3-4 clutch pack. my fault as i described my issues with my 00 formula trans. i look at a lot of pictures.
What I'm getting at is....during transmission operation, when it shifts from second (band applied) to third (3-4 applying, band releasing) the timing has to be right. It sounds like maybe you had a problem with 3-4 applying before the band was let off 100%. Thats a guess.
I've been thinking about this post during the past days.
It also depends on how much power you give it while it's making the 3-4 shift (applying the band).
I'd get a wider band made for full power shifts, an oversized fourth gear servo, a modified transgo kit, and block the fourth accumulator feed hole. At least. maybe some of the sponsors could offer some advice
Yeah right, advice on buying their product maybe. ProBuilt has helped me out and others and I've never bought anything from him. We need more guys like him in the forum.

People helping people, not just people trying to make their pockets fatter.
question, what does blocking the fourth accumulator feed hole do?
If you want to be cheap and have a transmission hardparts supplier nearby you could pick up a slightly used drum for dirt cheap. I got some parts for a 4L80E that came out of a 2004 wreck that broke the trans case, most internals are still new.
As for blocking the fourth accumulator feed hole, maybe thats just something I like to do. Transgo kits for the 4L60E don't have you do this, I use plugs out of transgo kits for 700R4's. It makes the fourth shift more firm. I've read from two big name transmission builders (responding to my post) that blocking accumulators is very bad for about every transmission EXCEPT for the fourth in 700's and 4L60E's.
I believe it too, it doesn't really make the shift that much more firm. Now block the second accumulator (I've done that)....talk about annoying, and brutal low throttle to wot.
Last edited by jxaxsxoxn; Nov 10, 2005 at 06:03 PM.


