"manually" shifting an auto
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
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From: Rio Vista ca.
"manually" shifting an auto
Is it hard on an automatic transmission to either upshift or downshift using the 1st,2nd,and Drive shift positions on the auto shifter? If so, what are the rpm limits I should look out for (especially downshifting I presume) when manually running through the gears on my "89 coupe?
Kim
Kim
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
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are you kidding, LOL with my 
2.59's I have gone 80 in 2nd wound out of course
, for those sucky gears, and the crappy stock tpi that is my most fun gear to play with aor most of the fun driving.
It is ok to shift up at any point, but down shifting on it will kill it eventually I think.
2.59's I have gone 80 in 2nd wound out of course, for those sucky gears, and the crappy stock tpi that is my most fun gear to play with aor most of the fun driving.It is ok to shift up at any point, but down shifting on it will kill it eventually I think.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
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From: Warwick RI
Downshift one gear at a time and you should be fine. Cars have brakes so there is no reason to go down more than one gear.
If you grab the shifter on the highway and downshift to first don't bother asking why you broke something, you will have deserved it.
In other words...don't grab a handful of shifter and yank back on the highway
If you grab the shifter on the highway and downshift to first don't bother asking why you broke something, you will have deserved it.
In other words...don't grab a handful of shifter and yank back on the highway
Le Mans Master
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
You should do it anyway, but if you start downshifting often, make sure you ritually have your trans serviced every two years or 24K, whichever comes first. I highly recommend getting a shift kit too. I had one put in my truck at 65,000 miles and it's now at 205,000 and just now showing signs of going out...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
With my '88 I try and not do 3-2 above 100mph and 2-1 above 50mph as those are just a tad below my upshift points. Also I tap the brake pedal as I'm downshifting to unlock the TCC, reducing stress on the clutches me thinks.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Rio Vista ca.
Thanks for the advice. With the kind of driving I do the need to downshift doesn't come up much. Sometimes it's nice to wind her up a bit in 1st gear before moving on to 2nd. We've got some twisty roads running through some hilly farm land here that makes manually shifting between 1st and 2nd more fun. I usually leave it in 2nd for most of this particular drive. It's hard to find a place to drive around here where I can go faster than 65 or 70 mph, so low end acceleration and spirited cornering provide me the most fun. I've got to watch out for cows and cops in the farm lands and oncoming soccer moms on the 2 lane levy roads.
Kim
Kim
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Le Mans Master
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
The other thing to think about is the heat generated. If I'm on a spirited run, I always turn on the Trans Temp Gauge. If it starts creeping up too high I stop shifting. Had a blast on a controlled lap of Sebring Raceway and was surprised at how fast the Trans temp went up when shifting and how quick it dissipated when I let her do her thing.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
We've got some twisty roads running through some hilly farm land here that makes manually shifting between 1st and 2nd more fun.
Team Owner
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100mph in 2nd gear I thought I was pushing it at like 80 something:o
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
When I was still breaking in my motor last fall I'd push about 70-75 in second, then 110 in drive. All on a closed course, of course. 
I'm sure people in the next county could hear me hitting 5500+ RPM.
I'm sure people in the next county could hear me hitting 5500+ RPM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Le Mans Master
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are you kidding, LOL with my 2.59's I have gone 80 in 2nd wound out of course, for those sucky gears, and the crappy stock tpi that is my most fun gear to play with aor most of the fun driving.
It is ok to shift up at any point, but down shifting on it will kill it eventually I think.
2.59's I have gone 80 in 2nd wound out of course, for those sucky gears, and the crappy stock tpi that is my most fun gear to play with aor most of the fun driving.It is ok to shift up at any point, but down shifting on it will kill it eventually I think.
I've got a '93 LT1 with the retarded 2.59s, I leave it in 2nd for everything except the interstate, have for years. It doesn't even affect the mileage. I think the only bad thing is downshifting, because you can't match revs, stupid automatic.
Team Owner
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I think this is my favorite quote 
