cable kick down linkage adjustment

I have the engine and 904 mounted together and out of that car and thought that would be a great opportunity to set the linkages.

this is a mild race prepped 904 behind a naturally aspirated modified slant six with MPFI. using a GM 4.3 L throttle body, so things are not exactly stock. Using a Lokar cable to control the kick down.

I can set the kick down to have a little play in the cable with the throttle plate closed, but at full throttle the kick down lever lacks maybe 1/8 inch travel to the full open position.
or
I can set the kickdown cable to get full travel at the kick down lever at full throttle but have maybe 1/8 inch of preload on the kick down lever with the throttle plate closed.

this is a street / strip car, previously the car shifted great at the drag strip, with full throttle the shifts were fast and firm, normal driving, not so good, the tranny would hang in gear and upshift at higher than desireable street driving conditions. But I don't have good info on how the kick down linkage was adjusted then, or knowledge if the kick down even affects what is described in this paragraph.

so is more important to get full travel on the kick down lever with some preload or to have the kickdown lever not preloaded and give up some travel?

advice appreciated.