Delayed start & Hard Shifts - Even after TransKit

[misterhyde]

Got the '05 in '08 with around 60~65k on it. Jumped right into the online community for the TB's on the OS. Everything with this truck seemed to go wonky after the exhaust manifold cracked and I ran it for about 3 or 4 months in Michigan winter until I got it replaced (with aftermarket). My mechanic (whom has since blown himself up in his garage dropping a gas tank to a suburban/tahoe and past away a few months after due to the burns, but off-topic) said he had trouble with a few bolts, but was able to get them all out. Of course, you can't see the lower bolts

Anyway, even after PCMforless.com PCM tune first, then the Transkit (here) which is this with a corvette servo, I still have harse shifts from in the early ranges (1-2, 2-3) and hesitation starting from a stop (acts like not in gear for a few seconds then grabs and goes).

I was recommended to the tranny shop that did the trans kit and they did not relay that there were any problems with the install. All they do is Tran's by the way.
What is also a nusainse is that it seems to go into 4th (TC lock?) early.

I do now have a BT OBDII module and the Torque Pro app on my phone. Trans temp seems to stay under 200deg F, as I don't keep a close eye on it but wanted to make sure it wasn't too high.

Other things I have done to the truck (in no order, can provide if needed):
Resonator delete
90deg tail pipe
new direct-to-fit cat (thought it would help
new aftermarket exhaust manifold
plugs changed around 100k
new water pump
new cts + tstat
mech fan removed
PCMforless.com PlugnPlay efan kit (temp probe in top water outlet, but going to move to lower soon due to always on)
PCM Tune from PCMforless.com
Secondary air system now completly removed (solenoid removed and port plated recently)
New Variable timing solenoid
new camshaft pos. sensor (recently)
O2 sensors replaced (NTK front, ACdelco rear)

 

[Bill05EnvoySLT]

The only thing in your list i think might be an issueis the NGK O2 Sensor.. I heard they may not have the same tolerance that the AC Delco's are made for .. heard they can cause intermitten issues with response.. but the truck seeming like its slipping at a light then grabbing makes me think maybe TC is bad or possibly the pump? any leaks? this could happen from kit and tune increasing line pressure in trans valve body...
This doesnt sound like you baby the truck either... so how long ago did you get the shiftkit installed?

Im only giving my two cents worth here as im still technically a noob on the site and the platform..

So I could be off base unless another member can cooberate my story..
Either way good luck and keep us informed
Thanks
-Bill

 

[misterhyde]

The only thing in your list i think might be an issueis the NGK O2 Sensor.. I heard they may not have the same tolerance that the AC Delco's are made for .. heard they can cause intermitten issues with response.. but the truck seeming like its slipping at a light then grabbing makes me think maybe TC is bad or possibly the pump? any leaks? this could happen from kit and tune increasing line pressure in trans valve body...
This doesnt sound like you baby the truck either... so how long ago did you get the shiftkit installed?

Im only giving my two cents worth here as im still technically a noob on the site and the platform..

So I could be off base unless another member can cooberate my story..
Either way good luck and keep us informed
Thanks
-Bill

Well, at first I had put a Bosch up front, and then read that Bosch wasn't recommended. I thought I saw somewhere on here that NGK was exactly the same as ACDelco?

At times I don't baby it, but mostly I drive it normal. Actually seems to shift harder the heavier my foot is.

No leaks except for overflowing trans fluid towing a small 16.5 foot aluminum fishing boat about 300 miles in "D". (oops) From Upper Pennisula to home (Lansing, MI)

Efan - 4/19/12
PCM - 4/29/12 (shift setting 2)
Bosch front O2 (mid year 2012)
PCM adjust - 9/1/13 (shift setting 1)
Trans Kit - 12/19/13
NGK Front O2 (3/2014)

 

[DocBrown]

One thing that I can think of off hand is the position of the accuator piston in the valve body that is up against the seperator plate. GM actaully installed these differently depending on the year of the 4L60E. Some had the open cup side facing the seperator plate, some had the dome side facing the plate. IIRC, having the dome side face the plate causes harder shifts. Some people will flip the pistion when replacing it to make it shift harder on purpose, some put it back the same way. I did mine the same way, cup side to the seperator plate. It might be worth a call to your trans shop to see if they know what was done. BTW, I also used a Trans-go kit and it worked flawlessly.

Also my understanding is that the Corvette servo will also cause harder shifts. I bought one but never put it in so I can't really speak to it.

 

[misterhyde]

Another thing I should note is that the harsher shift at 2-3 seemed to have gotten worse after the trans kit install.
And that my Torque app is showing that the Coolant temp never really goes above 195 F as the efan is coming on at 186 and off at 184 or so. Thus I want to move the thermo switch to the lower water neck at the tstat. Could that be causing the trans coolant to not be warming up enough? Or is cooler trans fluid better?

 

[DocBrown]

Another thing I should note is that the harsher shift at 2-3 seemed to have gotten worse after the trans kit install.

That makes sense to me since part of the shift kit is replacing springs and plungers inside the valve body that affect all shifting. Several springs work directly with solonoids. The replacement springs in my kit were usually stiffere and longer than the stock springs.