Turbo 400 electric kick down… - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stranny64 · 07-28-2021, 07:51 AM

Hello to all! Probably a stupid question but do I need the electric kick down on a 68 c20 with a 327 and turbo 400? Reason is is because I had the motor rebuilt with a Edelbrock intake and a Quick Fuel carb and now the factory one don’t hook up. I know there is aftermarket styles to use but do I need it? Will it burn up or wreck the transmission if I just don’t use it! Thanks! 👊

**BigBird05** · 07-28-2021, 08:02 AM

You need the kick down for power to pass. you should be able to rig one up.

**70cst** · 07-28-2021, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranny64

Hello to all! Probably a stupid question but do I need the electric kick down on a 68 c20 with a 327 and turbo 400? Reason is is because I had the motor rebuilt with a Edelbrock intake and a Quick Fuel carb and now the factory one don’t hook up. I know there is aftermarket styles to use but do I need it? Will it burn up or wreck the transmission if I just don’t use it! Thanks! 👊

You should be able to find them for sale in the For Sale forums.

**Sheepdip** · 07-28-2021, 10:03 AM

Your truck will be a slug without it.

MARKDTN · 07-28-2021, 10:07 AM

You can rig something up or get a later pedal and linkage that has it inside the cab. B&M has a kit, but you can do it yourself for less.

**kwmech** · 07-28-2021, 12:12 PM

had the same issue with my 69. When I got the truck the wiring was there, the switch was there. What was missing was the small piece that bolts to the linkage. Somewhere along the line the carb was replaced and that piece did not get transfered over. In the long run it was easier for me to convert the pedal assy to a cable style with a 71 pedal.

SkidmoreGarage · 07-28-2021, 12:36 PM

It is really easy to make something work, you do not need the bulky factory switch. You just need a microswitch that can handle the 12v. You can then place the microswitch anywhere that can measure full throttle. That is usually the carb linkage or the pedal. Edelbrock sell a kit that mounts to a carb stud.

sick472 · 07-28-2021, 01:35 PM

Put one in...you will like the results and the effort is pretty minimal once you learn yourself what needs to be done. But, you don't need it...IF you don't make it a habit of flooring it at the low end of the gear when the kick-down would normally do it's job. This assumes that you are not pulling or hauling heavier loads.

mike88a · 07-28-2021, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranny64

Hello to all! Probably a stupid question but do I need the electric kick down on a 68 c20 with a 327 and turbo 400? Reason is is because I had the motor rebuilt with a Edelbrock intake and a Quick Fuel carb and now the factory one don’t hook up. I know there is aftermarket styles to use but do I need it? Will it burn up or wreck the transmission if I just don’t use it! Thanks! 👊

Lokar makes a kit just for what you want. I used one on my 67. Comes with everything you need.

Stranny64 · 07-29-2021, 06:46 AM

Thanks for the reply’s. Ordered a B & M switch.

**bigmac73** · 07-30-2021, 11:20 AM

you could just manualy down shift into Second when you need to .

07-28-2021, 07:51 AM	#1
Stranny64 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Mora MN Posts: 172	Turbo 400 electric kick down… Hello to all! Probably a stupid question but do I need the electric kick down on a 68 c20 with a 327 and turbo 400? Reason is is because I had the motor rebuilt with a Edelbrock intake and a Quick Fuel carb and now the factory one don’t hook up. I know there is aftermarket styles to use but do I need it? Will it burn up or wreck the transmission if I just don’t use it! Thanks! 👊 __________________ 1968 Custom Camper C/20, rebuilt original 327 with 350 hp., turbo 400 with shift kit, factory AC truck, original patina rust free paint from Oregon, 2/4 lowering springs + 1" blocks, GM 2500 8 bolt rally's with dually center caps with Firestone Destination 245/75-R16's. (My 50th birthday present from my wife!!!)

07-28-2021, 08:02 AM	#2
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… You need the kick down for power to pass. you should be able to rig one up.

07-28-2021, 10:03 AM	#4
Sheepdip Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Waterford California Posts: 2,365	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… Your truck will be a slug without it.

07-28-2021, 10:07 AM	#5
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,129	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… You can rig something up or get a later pedal and linkage that has it inside the cab. B&M has a kit, but you can do it yourself for less. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

07-28-2021, 12:12 PM	#6
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,388	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… had the same issue with my 69. When I got the truck the wiring was there, the switch was there. What was missing was the small piece that bolts to the linkage. Somewhere along the line the carb was replaced and that piece did not get transfered over. In the long run it was easier for me to convert the pedal assy to a cable style with a 71 pedal.

07-28-2021, 12:36 PM	#7
SkidmoreGarage Registered User Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 335	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… It is really easy to make something work, you do not need the bulky factory switch. You just need a microswitch that can handle the 12v. You can then place the microswitch anywhere that can measure full throttle. That is usually the carb linkage or the pedal. Edelbrock sell a kit that mounts to a carb stud.

07-28-2021, 01:35 PM	#8
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,130	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… Put one in...you will like the results and the effort is pretty minimal once you learn yourself what needs to be done. But, you don't need it...IF you don't make it a habit of flooring it at the low end of the gear when the kick-down would normally do it's job. This assumes that you are not pulling or hauling heavier loads. __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

07-29-2021, 06:46 AM	#10
Stranny64 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Mora MN Posts: 172	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… Thanks for the reply’s. Ordered a B & M switch. __________________ 1968 Custom Camper C/20, rebuilt original 327 with 350 hp., turbo 400 with shift kit, factory AC truck, original patina rust free paint from Oregon, 2/4 lowering springs + 1" blocks, GM 2500 8 bolt rally's with dually center caps with Firestone Destination 245/75-R16's. (My 50th birthday present from my wife!!!)

07-30-2021, 11:20 AM	#11
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: Turbo 400 electric kick down… you could just manualy down shift into Second when you need to . __________________ Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks



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