Automatic downshifting and poor acceleration
12-19-2013, 06:17 PM
#1
Heel & Toe
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Automatic downshifting and poor acceleration
Forgive me for my ignorance....
I recently acquired a 1995 C4 with a rebuilt automatic transmission. Maybe I'm expecting too much from a 19 yr old car, but acceleration at WOT at various rolling speeds has me wondering if something isn't right. For instance, at 60 mph when I go full throttle the car will downshift and the lower gear feels really slow until it upshifts and then it feels like it accelerates faster and harder. I get the same feeling when I give it full throttle at about 20 mph. I get the sensation that based on the sound of the motor and increased RPMs that I should feel some acceleration, but I don't get that feeling until it advances to the next gear. I've only driven C5s, and I've never driven an auto Corvette so I have no way of comparing. At certain speeds am I catching the gears just right where the lower gear is at too high of an RPM to have that hard acceleration or pull until it up shifts to the next gear? Am I on to something, or is this normal for a automatic C4? Thanks for any input.
I recently acquired a 1995 C4 with a rebuilt automatic transmission. Maybe I'm expecting too much from a 19 yr old car, but acceleration at WOT at various rolling speeds has me wondering if something isn't right. For instance, at 60 mph when I go full throttle the car will downshift and the lower gear feels really slow until it upshifts and then it feels like it accelerates faster and harder. I get the same feeling when I give it full throttle at about 20 mph. I get the sensation that based on the sound of the motor and increased RPMs that I should feel some acceleration, but I don't get that feeling until it advances to the next gear. I've only driven C5s, and I've never driven an auto Corvette so I have no way of comparing. At certain speeds am I catching the gears just right where the lower gear is at too high of an RPM to have that hard acceleration or pull until it up shifts to the next gear? Am I on to something, or is this normal for a automatic C4? Thanks for any input.
12-20-2013, 10:27 AM
#4
Gearing may also be a contributor.
My 92 convertible with automatic came with the optional "performance" axle raio, which was STILL only a 2.73 ratio! The stock non-performance option ratio would have been 2.5X!
I swapped to a 3.54 and that turned an ok car into a super nimble and responsive car. Mind you, that's not a cheap mod. But, I would never consider going back to the 2.73
Jim G
My 92 convertible with automatic came with the optional "performance" axle raio, which was STILL only a 2.73 ratio! The stock non-performance option ratio would have been 2.5X!
I swapped to a 3.54 and that turned an ok car into a super nimble and responsive car. Mind you, that's not a cheap mod. But, I would never consider going back to the 2.73
Jim G