lokar kick down help

It sounds like the cable is too tight from the linkage to the trans lever, and I suspect that second gear shifts somewhat later than it did also.
One thing to note is that the cable is not designed to change your shifts, only make the linkage geometry correct.

Hold your throttle wide open (make sure it will go wide open) then adjust your cable to pull the TP lever on the trans to full travel.
You may have to put a spring on it down at the lever so it also returns all the way.