Holley with ZF kickdown bracket

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:18 pm

I am looking to make (buy) a linkage to connect my ZF autobox kickdown cable to my holley
Anyone has pictures ? RPI has a linkage however about 100 €.

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:34 pm

Nobody knows

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:43 pm

Although not exactly what you are after, I have done similar with twin SU's.

I just set it up so at full throttle, the gearbox cable was fully extended. Seems to work OK.

Chris.

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:07 am

ChrisJC wrote:Although not exactly what you are after, I have done similar with twin SU's.

I just set it up so at full throttle, the gearbox cable was fully extended. Seems to work OK.

Chris.

Problem is to get the cable @ full extend, the throttle plate should be lager hower there is no place.
Just ordered the rpi kit, this should work perfect.

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:15 am

If i disconnectd the kickdown calble to drive to the mot can i damage the gearbox ?
It is the only thing that has to be done before mot

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:08 am

No. Some diesel conversions didn't use the kickdown cable at all.

Chris.

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:12 am

ChrisJC wrote:No. Some diesel conversions didn't use the kickdown cable at all.

Chris.

Hmm. Not sure of the actual ZF box, but if the only control is the cable, it also adjusts the line pressure. If disconnected, the pressure is at its lowest to give smooth changes at low throttle openings when the engine is producing little torque. The clutches will then slip badly at high torque. A box designed for a diesel may well be different.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:13 pm

DaveEFI wrote:
ChrisJC wrote:No. Some diesel conversions didn't use the kickdown cable at all.

Chris.
Hmm. Not sure of the actual ZF box, but if the only control is the cable, it also adjusts the line pressure. If disconnected, the pressure is at its lowest to give smooth changes at low throttle openings when the engine is producing little torque. The clutches will then slip badly at high torque. A box designed for a diesel may well be different.

I don't mean a factory diesel conversion. I saw a Range Rover with a 3.5litre Mazda Diesel, and rather than worry that the governor in the gearbox was set to permit a max engine speed far higher than the Diesel could sustain, the kickdown cable was simply not connected. This meant the engine never got anywhere near max speed.

I can't comment on whether it was a good idea or not, but the owner said it all worked just fine.

Chris.

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:43 pm

Just phoned Ashcroft to be certain, they say don't drive the vehicle you will damage the gearbox.
So i just have to waith for my kickdown bracket from rpi to arrive.

Thanks for the info guys

Regards Steven

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:45 pm

It might well do - for a while. But then not many would like an auto which changed gear at the same speed regardless of throttle position anyway.

Autos and diesels used to be a dreadful combination when thrown together - like older London taxis. Modern ones can be very very good.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:57 pm

DaveEFI wrote:It might well do - for a while. But then not many would like an auto which changed gear at the same speed regardless of throttle position anyway.

Autos and diesels used to be a dreadful combination when thrown together - like older London taxis. Modern ones can be very very good.

I've just picked up my new truck. Isuzu Rodeo auto diesel. Its very refined in the auto box area. I wasnt sure about the auto in the diesel truck but I thinks its great so far.

FWIW !!

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:29 pm

I placed the kit on my V8, looks great however on the testdrive i found that.
It does not shift up, when i release the throttle it shifts up.

When i the put my feet a bit to hard on the gas it shifts down however is doesnt shift up anymore. I stays to long in one gear and the engine is dragging to get the vehicle moving (its like driving 20 km h in 5 gear)
Question is, how do i set the kickdown cable ? There is a piece of lead on the cable i think this is the zero marking so with the engine @ idle this lead would be full in.
However if i then give full throttle the cable is not at it full extend (there is a klick if i pull the cable by hand not when i use the throttle.
Can i damage the gearbox by setting the cable so the piece of lead is a bitt extended.

JSF55 · Post by **JSF55** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:36 pm

I originally set mine like you, then i fiddled

i've got it set at about 15mm out at the idle setting, this is reasonable for most shift's, i have it wider for drag racing as it moves the shift point up higher

EDIT:- ignore those measurements on the drawing !!!

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:59 pm

Steven 90 wrote:I placed the kit on my V8, looks great however on the testdrive i found that.
It does not shift up, when i release the throttle it shifts up.
When i the put my feet a bit to hard on the gas it shifts down however is doesnt shift up anymore. I stays to long in one gear and the engine is dragging to get the vehicle moving (its like driving 20 km h in 5 gear)
Question is, how do i set the kickdown cable ? There is a piece of lead on the cable i think this is the zero marking so with the engine @ idle this lead would be full in.
However if i then give full throttle the cable is not at it full extend (there is a klick if i pull the cable by hand not when i use the throttle.
Can i damage the gearbox by setting the cable so the piece of lead is a bitt extended.

Setting the cable so the 'the piece of lead' is extended will make it change up at a higher speed. And if full throttle isn't operating the kickdown, it suggests to me the lever to the gearbox cable isn't long enough. In other words, the gearbox cable should travel from minimum to maximum along with the throttle. That should be easy enough to check.

Other thing could be if this is correct is the valve sticking inside the box. Very common on the 35 as it is simply spring loaded onto a cam.

Steven 90 · Post by **Steven 90** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:46 pm

Nothing helped i tried many hours.
A friend of mine came over and when i took him for a testrun everything worked just fine

Perhaps some air in the governor ?
Mabey something that the valve has been sticking inside the box. Very strange...
The combo off the crower camshaft and the autobox gives a real

effect !!! It pulls very well and also has lots of low torque when off roading.
The rear axle is fitted with a detroit locker,and this works great. Dont feel it on the road however works well off the road