Looking to replace a Lokar universal TV cable for the 700R4 in my ’73 GS. I played with the Lokar and Holley attaching point and got it closer to feeling “right” with good line pressure(s), but haven’t been happy with the way it feels or wot. I bought a Sonnax TV Corrector Kit (i.e. spring) for the end of the cable, but of course I don’t have enough cable length to make it work. I am thinking of either a B&M 70242 Throttle Cable with detents and brackets for potentially straighter forward adjusting, starting over with another Lokar or a BowTie-Overdrives TV made EZ set up which requires a TV Plunger Spring change. I’ve searched and read all I could find, but haven’t found too much in the way of personal experiences here on the board, where I value the opinions the most.
Not sure how different a tv cable from a turbo Buick might be but that might work. Or something from a Cadillac, Olds or b body Chevy that came with a 2004r could be a solution. Not sure on the lengths though.
Thanks for the reply, Rich. I have been messing and contemplating this for a while, even before my last post on this in 2017 when I started the fight looking for WOT... I bought a pressure gauge, made changes with the cable, got closer, etc but ultimately feel like I am still chasing my tail. I ordered the cable kit from Bowtie-Overdrives this morning and will start from scratch. New cable, matching TV spring, brackets all from one place. I have a new deeper trans pan to install, so I’ll do it all at once. If it still doesn’t do the trick, at least I’ll have a known “good” starting point.
I never want to be that guy who bashes a manufacturers equipment with a blanket statement. So let's try it this way... In my experience, most of the Lokar cables I've used in the past seem to stretch. Not that big of a deal when it's a regular throttle cable but a TV cable that stretches can cause major headaches.
Have you looked through the info pages on how the tv is suppose to work at www.tvmadeez.com ? I think you pretty much need the correct bracket geometry and a "full pull" of the tv cable at wot throttle. This should give the pressure rise needed.
Indeed - every page! That's why I am starting from scratch with their cable, bracket, and TV Spring. Made it as far as taking the old pan down two weekends ago, and now hope to get back under there this weekend and get it buttoned back up with the pressure gauge back on it.
I've been using a B&M cable that is slightly short, but just makes it. Made my own Holley correction bracket and cable adjusting mount bracket. Works well. See pic.
So, as a follow up in case anyone is wondering, or finds this thread in a search... The Bowtie Overdrives (TV Made EZ) kit worked nicely. Dropped the pan to replace the TV spring that came in the kit, and besides finding a bunch of random sloppiness from the builder, I found the TV Plunger/Sleeve was installed incorrectly - too far in with the roll pin in the wrong place. This created a big gap between the plunger and lever that the cable couldn't compensate for. I ran out of cable before WOT. The new setup works nicely, shifts like it is supposed to and I get WOT.
It’s a nice bracket that won’t flex. It sits under the carb and they have them for both square and spreadbore carbs. I didn’t see it separate, so it would be worth a call...
It’s working well. I used the whole kit - spring, cable, bracket, and carb fulcrum. Transmission pressures are in spec and it behaves like it should.
I seen multiple listings on their website for different kits. I'm using a 4150 summit max performance carb. Could you send the link to your exact kit?
The photo in Post #7 above is my set up... yes, a 4150 Holley. I used this kit: http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/catalog/catalog_inc/viewitem.php?ITEMID=217 It looks out of stock. This is the same kit with a braided cable: http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/catalog/catalog_inc/viewitem.php?ITEMID=218 It was pricey, but I was tired of going in circles. http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/
