don't know if trans works right

[john54981]

I bought my '89 coupe about one month ago. I love the car, but I thought it wasn't nearly as fast as a vette should be. I was screwing around on a back road today and I noticed something odd. If I take off from a stop with the trans in D, it takes off in second gear. If I pull the shifter back lightly it looks like it should be in first gear, but it still starts out in second. If I pull the lever back hard, then it really does take off in first gear. Now it has the acceleration I expected a Corvette should have!
Is this trans supposed to be this way, or is something screwed up?
john54981

[LarryK 87]

on mine the 1st - 2nd shift occurs very fast, around 13 mph or so, and the gear spacing seems very close, could be your just not noticing the 1st - 2nd shift?. as to the manual shift, i have to pull mine back a bit to get it to go into first as well, seems to be the boot.
Maybe someone else can chime in and offer there 0.02 worth.

[jmooney]

Welcome John. I have a 87 with an auto trans. I purchased mine about a year ago, and I understand what you are talking about. My car, from a dead stop, seems lackluster for a Corvette! After I get moving , if I "foor it" it seems to take off pretty good. I am also disappointed, because I expected more from this car. I am wondering if I am having a trans problem or maybe it is the torque coverter lockup. I see that Ecklers has a torque converter lock-up delay harness that delays lock-up in 1st through 3rd gears. From what I have read, this might make a noticeable difference, I don't know. Anyone else know?

[MoeJr]

I am not dead positive on this but if you have a Detent Cable/T.V Cable it may be misadjusted and not allowing the trans to build up enough pressure before it shifts. I know it was like that for my 87 GN and my 84 Vette has a Detent cable but not sure if the later ones have it. Just my .02

[john54981]

Thanks guys, I don't really have a problem now , I'm happy now with the way it works. Now I know how to get it to go fast if I want it to.Usually I drive slow anyway. john54981