Ok, here's the vitals
01 LS 60k, K&N air filter, Taylor 8.2 wires, Champion Iridium plugs, the rest stock
Engine warm (T-stat open), trans fluid level full, fluid not burnt

Here's the problem
The outside temp is around -15f, the car has been running about 10-15 minutes at idle and city speeds (25-30),I accelerate (gently) to get up to hwy speeds (60), the car downshifts, engine RPM goes up to 3k and the car takes an eternity to build up speed. After 10-15 minutes running at 60, the problem rectifies itself, and everything goes back to normal.

I know the tranny will take time to warm up andengage overdrive. But how long is normal? Is this some sort of "self protection" mode in the transmission? Or should I just chalk it up to the cold?

 

***DON'T CHECK FLUID LEVEL RIGHT AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING!!!!***
YOU WILL NOT GET ACCURATE READING!!!!

Having learned that, I added 1 litre of fluid and all seems well with regards to my shifting problem. The fluid however is a little brown but no burnt smell. I'll get it flushed ASAP.

 

if the fluid is not a redish purply color then have the fluid and filter changed...being an 01 and if it hasn't been changed it most likely needs to be flushed....
try this and that should solve your problem

 

Soundslikethe Catalytic Converter.Should be under warranty until 120,000 miles.

 

It could very well be a plugged cat, but they are not all under warranty until 120,000 miles. Emissions components are under warranty for 8 years/ 80,000 miles but some GMs had issues with the cat so they started a special policy and extended it to 10 years/ 120,000 miles. For the 2001 Monte Carlos, it only includes cars 19100001-19378233 and for 2002 Monte Carlos, it includes 29100016-29374832. Those numbers represent the last 8 digits of the vehicle's VIN.

 

Nice work guys!That's exactly what it was. 3 PSI at 2000 rpm. Anyidea what it should be?

 

Is that PSI referring to line pressure?

Line pressure should never be that low.

 

So does your check engine light need to activate,to tell if your catalytic converters are going bad? I'm having the same problem with no engine light.

 

Have an OBD2 reading done should show if it is bad.

 

I went to autozone and got it check once before but I reset the light. It pulled to codes to be exact, one stated something about my air system (faulty air pump) and the other stated, something about my egr valve<which I just cleaned. Could I just go to the dealership sense there's no code and get it check (cataylist converter) for free since it is a defect in our systems?