727 question

[don duick]

I have a 727 that has built for 500 HP with a shift kit. So I have been told. I usually drive it manually. It is NOT a reverse pattern. When I put it in drive it will change to top gear very quickly. It will stay in 1st for a about 5 seconds, 2nd gear for about 2 seconds then top gear. The kick down linkage is hooked up correctly but does  not work. My question is will I damage the transmission if I remove the kickdown linkage. The 2 reasons I want to remove it is because it gets in the way of my shifter cable and makes my accelerator pedal harder to push 

[cdr]

you have to keep it, & BPE make a very nice cable conversion for that.   

[John_Kunkel]

The amount of time it stays in gear before shifting is less important than the amount of throttle being used and the road speed at which it shifts. Engine and gear ratio determine what shift speeds are normal, for example a 440HP at light throttle with 3.23 gears might upshift from 1-2 at 6-11 mph and upshift from 2-3 at 12-15 mph.

Even though most performance-type guys like the trans to shift a little later, your trans might be operating normally. If you want it to shift later merely lengthen the linkage by threading out the top link.

[don duick]

thanks for replies 

[303 Mopar]

If you want to ditch the kickdown/throttle set up, check out the Lokar throttle and kickdown cables. Summit and other vendors have them.  Easy to install and allow you to set mph for shifting.

[Ghoste]

And as an answer to another part of your question, yes, if you operate your transmission without a kickdown, be it mechanical or cable, you will damage it.  Manual reverse valve bodys are an exception.

[don duick]

oops I discovered my kickdown linkage at the bottom fell off. thanks for replies