Ive been rolling up to a red light, start slowing to >5mph, and the car starts to putter, die out, shake just like its in the wrong gear. It usually putters for about a second before it shifts, once it shifts its fine. Its just the intitial downshifting from 2nd to 1st that its having trouble with. Any opinions?

The fluid level is fine.

Its the stock tranny, turbo 350 i believe (Automatic overdrive), on a 86 SS.

 

When was the last time the fluid was changed? Maybe time for filter and fluid change. At the very least, I would start with that. But there might be someone on here more familiar with the '86 SS...

 

you could try lucas transmission lubricant

 

Ive been asking around for people opinions, they've said: torque converter, governor, ignition timing, tranny vacuum, modulator valve.

Im not sure how the torque converter or modulator valves work, so i have no say on those. Im pretty sure i dont run a governor, and i wouldent think the timing would cause it to NOT downshift. The vacuum seems like the most logical thing to me, ive tried looking at it from underneath but i cant see it because of the damn exhaust.