I have the Heath ECM with firmer shifting and a B&M shift kit, but the 1-2 and 2-3 are still very soft and the 3-4 is very firm, normal driving. It doesn't slip but should definatly be firmer for the mods I have, any suggestions? I have fresh fluid (old fluid was clean) and new shift solnoids.

Also, if I lay into her doing a 0 to 60 (stop watch method about 12 sec) at full throttle all shifts are firm and about equal.

You talked to Bill about it, and does he know you have the B&M kit in it, he may have detuned the shift some as a result of the kit. We found with mine the re-flash combined with the kit is pretty harsh, remember the purpose of the flash is for more towing power, you do get more performance off the line though if you decide to race with it. Your results sound similar to mine (I've done as good as 10.5 sec and as bad as 13 sec 0-60 depending on my ability to start and stop watch consistently) though sometimes my 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 have a pronounced grab and I sometimes set a PCC solenoid line pressure code when this happens; I've given up on 0-60 testing my measure is ability to tow my GN trailer and backhoe approx 18K worth of load; I have sufficient power to do that, going for 18:1s next. Talk to Bill and see what he says there may be some tuning yet he can do if you are not satisfied, IC and hi-pops will help with 0-60 if that is your goal, but hi-pops will change your idle characteristics lot of clack clack down on the bottom end

What boost you running and what are your EGTs

I installed the B&M kit after I installed the Heath ECM, I was looking to firm it up even more.

I have a scan tool that is able to read most if not all of the tranny parameters but I am unsure how to decifer them. My feeling is there is definatly something wrong. I have considered changing the force motor in the tranny, but my thinking is the 3-4 shift would be soft also if it is malfunctioning.

Right now I am running the stock vacuum wastegate actuator, hits as high as 15PSI and usually levels off to about 12. EGT can reach 850 degrees during a 0 to 60 test. My testing is the same as yours, a decent about of tire spin limits accuracy, I have not tried to launch in 4wd.

I don't know much about trannys, particularly automatics, they work by voodoo as far as I'm concerned...but is it possible the torque converter could be the problem? Does your lock-up work?

Lock up seems to function normally. The hardest part for me to understand is the firm 3-4 shift, is seems they should all be slow if something mechanical is the cause?

I have a scan tool that is able to read most if not all of the tranny parameters but I am unsure how to decifer them. .
Go to FAQs above code list is there,

Doc, No DTCs are set, I can just read parameters like shift time, pressures, temps, etc.

Find someone with a Snap ON MT2500 it will read history of the thrown codes that aren't hard codes such as the PCC solenoid code I was talking about, many non GM local shops have MT2500s, does almost all things a T2 does, unfortunately you aren't local.

Doc, thanks for the info. Maybe I will hit up a local tranny shop and see what they are able to read. What will they be looking for?

Here is some data from my scan tool, not all of the read parameters have definations:

1-2 Shift Time=.4
2-3 Shift Time=.3
3-4 Shift Time=1.5
TLSE=5.1
1-2 Shift Error=6.4
2-3 Shift Error=.1
3-4 Shift Error=5.1
TSD=.3
TVSSD=Normal
TPD=Excedded (I really wonder what this is?)
TTAPSTD=No
TLST=Yes
TLSD=No
TAS1=No
THM=Off
SPS=Release

These seem to be the normal values. I can email you (or anyone!) that has extended runtime and many more read parameters.

Thanks, Andy.

I think those are shift times, seem kind of long 1-2 & 3-4 in error column from what I remember from mine, did it shift same before and after adding B&M kit, possible PCC solenoid problem tranny shop will be able to tell you more. Try looking up suncoast transmissions and emailing them your info maybe they can tell you something. They do the hi-perf trannys for DMAX.

PCC solenoid? Pressure control something? If so why would the 3-4 shift be nice and firm?

Got me: just brainstorming, that is what I've seen as an error code when I have erratic shifting (hard), but not stored as a hard code (illuminating SES lite) stored in the discreet event history probably not visible with your tool, run by tranny shop they probably have Snap-On tool and can tell more & advise better than I can, post findings before doing any work, several tranny techs hang out in the forum might be able to weigh in if what tranny shop says is logical.

I had a slow 1-2 and 2-3 shift and was told by a local tranny shop that the trans needed to be replaced/rebuilt at appr. $1500-$2500. Instead I installed a trans-go shift kit which firmed up the shifts tremendously and have since driven it 40,000 miles wihtout a problem.

I have a B&M kit in mine also, but still slow. The local tranny shop thinks they deserve $50 to plug into it, i happen to disagree! I am still driving it, probably will till it either gives out or I figure it out on my own!

Just a thought, what are your rpms during each shift? Are they the same 1-2 2-3 and 3-4? I know you're not supposed use OD under 45 mph because there's not enough fluid pressure in the tranny to keep the clutches from slipping. Maybe the ecu is increasing low end power and trying to take advantage of that by shifting at low rpm/ too early.

on 0-60 you say shifts are good.....foot to the floor = higher rpm = higher fluid pressure inside tranny = firmer shifts.:D

Also the APP position % is considered By the PCM during shifts. I bumped my optical which has the effect of resetting fuel delivery based on % APP. This means I have to let up on my pedal to shift, or the truck will hold the current gear. 25% APP feels like WOT and WOT feels like overkill. I get ratio underfined Error and shift missed and TCC didn't engauge. These codes only show up when the tranny misses a shift, during the first acceleration of the morning or right after comig off the freeway. If I accelerate slow, no problems but throttle it for boost and it wil sometimes miss the shift and I have to restart the engine (usually in N while rolling)to clear it or it will not shift again.