manually shift an auto transmission?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
manually shift an auto transmission?
I'm totally new to auto transmissions...because i owned only stick cars.
i have the chance to buy a nice 68 Camaro but it has a 3 speed auto trans. I will buy that only if i'm sure i can use the auto trans in manual mode in spirited driving ( frequent up downshift as i'm used with my stick corvette)
i've seen the car just in picture and i see that the trans handle ( a big handle on the tunnel) selects also position 1 ,2 and 3 . how do they work?
btw i've seen that parts suppliers sell valve bodies ( TCI and Hughes) that will allow the manual selection of gears.would they fit my requirements?
i would like some advises about
ah... what is "trans brake"?
i have the chance to buy a nice 68 Camaro but it has a 3 speed auto trans. I will buy that only if i'm sure i can use the auto trans in manual mode in spirited driving ( frequent up downshift as i'm used with my stick corvette)
i've seen the car just in picture and i see that the trans handle ( a big handle on the tunnel) selects also position 1 ,2 and 3 . how do they work?
btw i've seen that parts suppliers sell valve bodies ( TCI and Hughes) that will allow the manual selection of gears.would they fit my requirements?
i would like some advises about
ah... what is "trans brake"?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Yes you can with a nice shift kit,and the auto is quicker then 4 speed.Auto will win out every time at the track and street.And it is less stress to the car then the 4 speed,things wont break as much 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
The automatic wont be exactly the same as a standard, but can still be shifted manually. The trans brake that You ask about is used for drag racing, it basicaly allows You to rev the engine in gear. You can use the gas pedal to bring RPM as high as You want, then hit the button and Your gone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,347
Likes: 418
From: Seattle Area WA
Manual valve body kit for the trans. Trans Brakes are a drag strip thing to spool up the engine before you launch. Taken from the Art Carr site.The Art Carr Rebel Brake has a quicker release, faster 60-foot times, and has a built in safety feature. The Rebel Brake has neutral in the reverse detent, so that when the transmission is shifted to reverse it is a neutral. To back up, shift into reverse and use the Trans brake button. Micro-switch button transmission brakes will give you an instant super launch. The quicker the launch the better the E.T.! All transmission brakes come with bolt-on valve body and solenoid. Transbrake buttons are also available.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
thanks everybody.
my only concern is that I think it would be easy when driving ( and shifting) fast to go from 1st gear to 3rd or, worst , from 3rd to 1st since i'm used to manual transmission and so to "throw in " the gear with straight force on the stick...
have to try...
my only concern is that I think it would be easy when driving ( and shifting) fast to go from 1st gear to 3rd or, worst , from 3rd to 1st since i'm used to manual transmission and so to "throw in " the gear with straight force on the stick...
have to try...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Think you'd be happy installing a Trans-Go shift kit, as use these in all my automatic's with very good result's in the street/strip set up. Still full auto in the "D" selection, with firmer shift's and fast response for manual gear changes. If you're doing 100 mph and select first, first is what you're getting. Pretty inexpensive, and a very easy install on a TH350. You can also go full manual with these kit's.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Fabens TX
Hopefully I am not moving out of topic here. but I have a '94Lt1 camaro with a 4l60e. It was upgraded with a billet servo , transgo shift kit. It shifted fine for about a year then all of a sudden it wouldn't move out of first if left in 3rd(D) or 4th od . So basically this tranny needs to be shifted manually or it doesn't move. It kind of feels like a manual valve body kit was installed . When I get to a stop light I start downshifting and eventually if I come to a complete stop I go to 1st then start up shifting as the rpms go up. It's been like this for 2yrs now and I honestly enjoy the shifting part of it. I have even run a 14.0x at 99 mph at the track with it like that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
First I do not think you would want a trans brake at all on the street. Each company's brake will be different in use but what they all do is lock the trans in forward and reverse at the same time, when you release the apply button it dumps the fluid from reverse and away you go! Your engine will not rev any higher than what the stall is of your converter. The full manual valve body is just that, it will apply any gear at any time you move the shifter unlike your stock set up which will not up shift no matter if you move the shifter or not depending on your speed/oil pressure in the trans has to meet a preset level before the shift will happen. As some others have brought up you will be just fine going with a good shift kit and call it a day!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
TH350's can't handle much of a load. My highley modded one filled the pan with gear teeth. So i went to a 850 HP 700R4. I tried to road race with it and it was a waste of time.
My 700R4 had brutal fast shifts. So I had to learn to lift for and instant to keep from looping my Vette when shifting while turning. Down shifting while braking was also tricky to time the shift while braking. Because it was very easy to cause the rears to lock up. I pitched it sideways coming into turns quite often. That was even with my 9.5 inch lighter torque converter. Torque converters are like big heavy flywheels. they resist rpm change so it is easy to lock the rears on the down shift
The gear spacing on auto trannies is too big. Just three gears or possibly 4 with an OD. Auto trannies suck 25 or more HP just to run the pumps.
Real race cars don't use old auto trannies
My 700R4 had brutal fast shifts. So I had to learn to lift for and instant to keep from looping my Vette when shifting while turning. Down shifting while braking was also tricky to time the shift while braking. Because it was very easy to cause the rears to lock up. I pitched it sideways coming into turns quite often. That was even with my 9.5 inch lighter torque converter. Torque converters are like big heavy flywheels. they resist rpm change so it is easy to lock the rears on the down shift
The gear spacing on auto trannies is too big. Just three gears or possibly 4 with an OD. Auto trannies suck 25 or more HP just to run the pumps.
Real race cars don't use old auto trannies
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Gkull
uhmmm....what you say is exhactly what i feared about auto trans. correct downshift is impossible due to wheel lock up. quite dangerous. i think i have to search for a manual transmission car anyway and forget autos. unfortunately all Camaro and Mustangs here in Italy ( and europe ) are mostly automatics
btw which the gear ratio of a th350?
uhmmm....what you say is exhactly what i feared about auto trans. correct downshift is impossible due to wheel lock up. quite dangerous. i think i have to search for a manual transmission car anyway and forget autos. unfortunately all Camaro and Mustangs here in Italy ( and europe ) are mostly automatics
btw which the gear ratio of a th350?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
TH350 2.52 1.52 1.00
I just read an article that a th350 burns up 35 hp. I went to a 4.11 to close up the gear spacing on my auto trannies.
I just had 355 ci and shifting over 7000 rpm with slicks is what filled the pan with metal teeth from my stronger sprag
With that in mind, there are a number of internal pieces that should be upgraded for applications transmitting approximately 400 lbs-ft of torque or more through the transmission. (The actual breaking point will depend on vehicle weight, gear ratio, traction and driving style.) Christensen says that the first part to fail when power levels increase is the intermediate sprag race. Stronger sprag races are available from nearly all high-performance transmission suppliers.
I just read an article that a th350 burns up 35 hp. I went to a 4.11 to close up the gear spacing on my auto trannies.
I just had 355 ci and shifting over 7000 rpm with slicks is what filled the pan with metal teeth from my stronger sprag
With that in mind, there are a number of internal pieces that should be upgraded for applications transmitting approximately 400 lbs-ft of torque or more through the transmission. (The actual breaking point will depend on vehicle weight, gear ratio, traction and driving style.) Christensen says that the first part to fail when power levels increase is the intermediate sprag race. Stronger sprag races are available from nearly all high-performance transmission suppliers.
Last edited by gkull; Jan 30, 2011 at 01:19 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
If you are used to a stick and want to engage in "spirited driving" don't waste your time with an automatic.
Biggest mistake I ever made was putting a TH350 back in my Camaro. Its sitting on the garage floor now and an M-20 is taking its place.
Auto's are great if you just want to cruise with a cup of coffee in hand or if you run full time at the strip - otherwise they suck
If its not a pristine original car, you could always convert it from auto to manual. Its pretty easy.
Good luck, Ed
Biggest mistake I ever made was putting a TH350 back in my Camaro. Its sitting on the garage floor now and an M-20 is taking its place.
Auto's are great if you just want to cruise with a cup of coffee in hand or if you run full time at the strip - otherwise they suck
If its not a pristine original car, you could always convert it from auto to manual. Its pretty easy.
Good luck, Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Try a look at "Gated" shifters.
thanks everybody.
my only concern is that I think it would be easy when driving ( and shifting) fast to go from 1st gear to 3rd or, worst , from 3rd to 1st since i'm used to manual transmission and so to "throw in " the gear with straight force on the stick...
have to try...
my only concern is that I think it would be easy when driving ( and shifting) fast to go from 1st gear to 3rd or, worst , from 3rd to 1st since i'm used to manual transmission and so to "throw in " the gear with straight force on the stick...
have to try...
Gkull
uhmmm....what you say is exhactly what i feared about auto trans. correct downshift is impossible due to wheel lock up. quite dangerous. i think i have to search for a manual transmission car anyway and forget autos. unfortunately all Camaro and Mustangs here in Italy ( and europe ) are mostly automatics
btw which the gear ratio of a th350?
uhmmm....what you say is exhactly what i feared about auto trans. correct downshift is impossible due to wheel lock up. quite dangerous. i think i have to search for a manual transmission car anyway and forget autos. unfortunately all Camaro and Mustangs here in Italy ( and europe ) are mostly automatics
btw which the gear ratio of a th350?
I believe u can drive with shifting done automatically also if wanted. And their "Hammer" shifter looks great.
I just can't find one for the 4L60E in my Z28. B&M makes no shifters for electric auto trans.
BTW my 4L60E has a 3.06 first gear and is basically a turbo 350 that shifts electrically - meaning steep first gears should be available for the turbo 350 (i think a manual 4L60E is called a 700R4 or something like that).Give B&M a call (1-818-882-6422) and explain what u want.
cardo0
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Dublin Ga
One good thing about autos is that can be very strong transmissions espicially the Turbo 400 and the torque convertor and fluid in it act as a cushion so your not placing high shock loads like a with a sticky highpressure clutch, I personally like both types, it really depends on how you set your vehicle up, Automatics do use power but they also give good launches. I would have a manual/automatic valve body installed.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
If you are used to a stick and want to engage in "spirited driving" don't waste your time with an automatic.
Biggest mistake I ever made was putting a TH350 back in my Camaro. Its sitting on the garage floor now and an M-20 is taking its place.
Auto's are great if you just want to cruise with a cup of coffee in hand or if you run full time at the strip - otherwise they suck
If its not a pristine original car, you could always convert it from auto to manual. Its pretty easy.
Good luck, Ed
Biggest mistake I ever made was putting a TH350 back in my Camaro. Its sitting on the garage floor now and an M-20 is taking its place.
Auto's are great if you just want to cruise with a cup of coffee in hand or if you run full time at the strip - otherwise they suck
If its not a pristine original car, you could always convert it from auto to manual. Its pretty easy.
Good luck, Ed
I know you. You will not be happy with an automatic.
I think there is a bolt in T56 6 speed kit available for Camaros. Team it up with a 4.11 12 bolt. Now your talking.
Last edited by 63mako; Feb 21, 2011 at 01:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
i gave up with that auto Camaro . i need a stick car for sure , but can't go a for an auto to manual swap on that car, too expensive
