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Shifting An Automatic?

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Old Jul 13, 2002 | 09:06 AM
  #1  
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Default Shifting An Automatic?

Occasionally I like to shift my stock TH350. Nothing crazy, just kinda work through the 3 gears. I just had the tranny completely rebuilt. The guy that did the rebuild told me that it's ok to shift upward but it's not a good idea to use an automatic transmission to downshift. Again, we're talkin at slow speeds. Does anyone else shift their autos? L8TER, Paul.
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Old Jul 13, 2002 | 09:48 AM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Vettesic)

If I'm hot rodding or passing, other wise I just let it shift by itself. Mine shifts too soon in hi performance action shift before 5000. On the hiway I down shift if I'm goiing to pass (3rd to 2nd).

Becareful about going to 1st at much speed because it such a low gear.
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Old Jul 13, 2002 | 10:09 AM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Vettesic)

It is fine to shift it. You can also downshift & floor it at the same time.

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Old Jul 13, 2002 | 02:11 PM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Ganey)

Thanks Ganey.
I do this all the time.
Got a little nervous in the hills, accidentally misshifted into first while cornering! Luckily I was only going about 30 mph. (4500 rpm in the LM-1)
-Steve
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Old Jul 13, 2002 | 02:18 PM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Pacin'California)

The shift points in my 700 are completely screwed up. Leaving it in drive will make you lose races. The shift kit I have allows me to shift manually from 1 to 2, 2 to 3 etc etc and it won't shift unless I move the lever. Now I can leave it in drive for a cruise to the grocery store but that's no fun. Some day I will learn to deal with the weights and springs and governers and what not, just not today.
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Old Jul 14, 2002 | 09:57 AM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Ganey)

It is fine to shift it. You can also downshift & floor it at the same time.
Definatly not that aggressive! But I get the picture. I think the guy I was talking to was thinking in the lines of the're warranty issue. L8TER, Paul.
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Old Jul 14, 2002 | 10:05 AM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Vettesic)

A factory Auto won't let you down shift at too high an RPM ( 5000 I think? )
Mine will let me downshift whenever you want :D

I manually shift it WHENEVER I want it to GO!

But be carefull on the corners, if you down shift while you are at the limit around a corner the engine braking WILL put you into a spin!
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Old Jul 14, 2002 | 10:16 AM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (427V8)

But be carefull on the corners, if you down shift while you are at the limit around a corner the engine braking WILL put you into a spin!
I hear ya. One time I was cornering a turn just a little too fast and then downshifted to 1st. The wheels locked. Vette did what I didn't want it to do. Big guard rail next to me. I immediatly applied the brakes. We did escape injury. Scared the sh** outta me. :D
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Old Jul 14, 2002 | 01:20 PM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (427V8)

But be carefull on the corners, if you down shift while you are at the limit around a corner the engine braking WILL put you into a spin!
Same goes for an upshift. An auto transmission doesn't let you double-clutch, and shifts much more harshly than a manual. (At least all of my vette ones have). If you're at a pretty intense turning degree, it will definitely initiate a spin. So be careful there, too. :)
-Steve
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Old Jul 15, 2002 | 08:55 PM
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Default Re: Shifting An Automatic? (Pacin'California)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with downshifting an automatic manually. In fact the owners manual tells you to do that when going down long hills to save your brakes. Joe
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