5:1 kickdown linkage worth the $

[thewrongguy]

A friend is trying to sell me a cheap MP 5:1 transmission kickdown linkage. It's supposed to give you firmer upshifts, but I've never used one.

Is it worth the cash on a daily driver, or is it more of a strip item?

Thanks

Jeff

[pishta]

Mr. Younger of Trans-Go fame says dont use it, He says it gives a violent reverse actuation. I think he recommended the 4.3. It is in the literature of the 727/9XX shift improver kit.

[thewrongguy]

thanks for the heads up


Jeff

[dwc43]

I've used them with great results. THey provide a quicker shift with increased holding power for the band. It does not make it hit harder. You need to increase line pressure and remove the accumulator spring for a firmer up shift.

[John Kunkel]

The lever in question is for the kickdown band, it has nothing to do with Reverse.
Like all levers, a higher mechanical leverage ratio means the tip of the lever must travel farther before the band is fully applied, this means more fluid is displaced in the servo and this affects shift timing. To compensate for this, when high ratio levers are installed the band adjustment is run a little tighter, this keeps the servo movement consistent but the tighter adjustment causes the band to drag a little more on the release cycle.
There isn't a lot of agreement in the field on the worth of the 5.0 lever, there are "experts" on both sides of the argument for them. The factory used them on the Hemis to apply the band harder with stock factory line pressure, some think the increased line pressure of the current shift kits and MVB's makes them obsolete.
For all around use, the 4.2 lever is probably the most practical. They were used in some of 904's.
BTW, removing the accumulator spring has about the same affect on shift firmness as turning your shorts around backwards.

[pishta]

Sorry about the bum scoop guys, Kunkel is right. Low-reverse is on another circuit. I gotta dig up that instruction sheet and find out where my wires got crossed!

[djswwg]

I have a 5:1 lever and the shift into reverse is not at all harsh, matter of fact it just feels normal. The 2nd to 3rd shift is harsh, but only at light throttle and just till the trans gets fully warmed up. I usually just stay in 2nd till everything is warmed up, or if I want 3rd gear early, I take my foot right off the gas pedal when shifting to 3rd...........djs