auto shifter ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
auto shifter ?
What exactly are the ratchet shifters sold for Auto transmissions? I had an 86 auto and I usually just put it in od and drove. A few times I kept it in 1st and took it up just to tweak 2nd. Do these ratchet shifters just make you manually shift gears or are they just something a bit more cool than the stock shifter? Watching movies like fast and furious you see them shifting auto trans cars and I always wondered what/why they were doing this. I always had the urge to downshift and mat it while going 65mph but I was afraid to mess up the trans. What would have happened? Do any of you use the ratchet shifter and how do you like it. Getting ready to buy another vette, 95 or 96 and still debating manual or auto. Just curious about the after market shifters. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
no more missed shifts or hitting N
But unless you have mods in the trans as I do ( shift kit ) then the trans will (in stock form ) over ride the shifter position anyway .
My stock '90 will shift up with the shifter locked in 1st and will not shift down above a set speed regardless of where shifter is moved to.
On the other hand ,the shift kitted trans in my '87 ( with ratchet shifter ) will hold a gear until the engine blows up , shifts instantly the shifter is moved and will downshift ( with engine braking like a stick car ) to any gear at any speed / revs ( motor not withstanding )
Also gives full auto function in D
Best of both worlds ; manual shifting without a clutch and auto for when you are feeling lazy
Depends on trans mods
There are valve bodies ( full manual ) available that have no auto function at all and require the shifter to be moved when you want a gear change
Like a stick car ;Put shifter in 2nd ; trans will start in 2nd and stay there unless shifter moved
Last edited by rodj; Mar 28, 2011 at 11:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I rebuilt the trans in my 86 and had a shift kit put in. Basically it just made the shift harder. If I started in 1st and held it up to 5k or so then put it in 2nd it would chirp the tires. If I just left car in drive and took off it would shift way before 5k. Thats cool to know that you can make your auto trans a manual without a clutch. Seems like everytime I find a car I would buy it's an auto and I would prefer manual. maybe I'll look into the kit. Thanks for the replies. I don't know much about this
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Do you shift manually because it allows you to take the motor up to higher rpms? If 2 equally equipped cars raced 1/4 mile and one shifted manually and the other let the computer shift would the manual get there first, due to getting more out of the rpm range? Sorry if these seem like simple questions, just curious and contemplating my options. also, does manual shifting wear more on the engine or trans since you may be taking the engine to higher rpms than it would do automatically? thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Do you shift manually because it allows you to take the motor up to higher rpms? If 2 equally equipped cars raced 1/4 mile and one shifted manually and the other let the computer shift would the manual get there first, due to getting more out of the rpm range? Sorry if these seem like simple questions, just curious and contemplating my options. also, does manual shifting wear more on the engine or trans since you may be taking the engine to higher rpms than it would do automatically? thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Do you shift manually because it allows you to take the motor up to higher rpms? If 2 equally equipped cars raced 1/4 mile and one shifted manually and the other let the computer shift would the manual get there first, due to getting more out of the rpm range? Sorry if these seem like simple questions, just curious and contemplating my options. also, does manual shifting wear more on the engine or trans since you may be taking the engine to higher rpms than it would do automatically? thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
There are internal mods that can be done to change /raise the auto shift points of the trans
No different than a car with a man trans
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Thanks for the replies guys. I know they may have sounded like basic questions. I just wanted to gain some knowledge. I appreciate it and I think I get it. I have my search narrowed down to 3 cars and I am going to make some offers tomorrow. See if I can get rid of this Knot of cash and the empty spot in my garage. Tired of driving around in my truck
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,448
Likes: 27
From: Valparaiso
i have a B&M Shift kit on my 700R4 and i was discussing this yesterday with my passenger ...he was impressed that we got to 65mph and still in 1st gear (shifter was in "D" all the time) check it here at 00:19 :
Can i use it full manual with the B&M ? Never tried it !
Can i use it full manual with the B&M ? Never tried it !
