A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable.
I had tryed to shift my 700R/4 manually several times at the strip, with limited success. The main issue was that I realy had no gear selection feel with the stock shifter & shift gate. This was because the shift gate was smooth from through the first three geara; so there was no tactile feedback nor stops to tell what gear was selected.
So, I took a Dremel to a used shift gate and cut 1/8" deep by about 5/16" long steps for the first three gears. The idea was to have a positive stop for each of the first two gears (not enough material to separate "D" & "OD"). This allows me to downshift with confidence that I won't hit the wrong gear; it provides a positive tactile feedback on each upshift.
I just had her on the street and now it feels more like a sports car, with manual control over gear selection! It's not a rachet shifter but considerably better than the stock setup, and it could be a "free" mod (I wasn't sure of the effect so I bought the used unit to experiment with so it's a $31mod for me).
I just thought I'd toss this one out for anyone who wanted an improved shift feel from their A4. It only took a few hours to swap the shifters and maybe another 2-3 hrs with the Dremel to do the actual mod. I'll put the details on my site soon for anyone who would like to try it.
So, I took a Dremel to a used shift gate and cut 1/8" deep by about 5/16" long steps for the first three gears. The idea was to have a positive stop for each of the first two gears (not enough material to separate "D" & "OD"). This allows me to downshift with confidence that I won't hit the wrong gear; it provides a positive tactile feedback on each upshift.
I just had her on the street and now it feels more like a sports car, with manual control over gear selection! It's not a rachet shifter but considerably better than the stock setup, and it could be a "free" mod (I wasn't sure of the effect so I bought the used unit to experiment with so it's a $31mod for me).
I just thought I'd toss this one out for anyone who wanted an improved shift feel from their A4. It only took a few hours to swap the shifters and maybe another 2-3 hrs with the Dremel to do the actual mod. I'll put the details on my site soon for anyone who would like to try it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 959
Likes: 1
From: Lemoore CA
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
God theres to many things I want to do at once, and all your doing is adding more 
Pretty good idea, Ill see if others give it a try and see how it goes :yesnod:
Pretty good idea, Ill see if others give it a try and see how it goes :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (Nomar116)
Yea, isn't it always something.:confused: Now I need is a trip to Level 10 to get a shift kit and hi-stall TC installed, and then DRs, and then....:rolleyes:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
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From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
I did that on my 79 when I added a 700R4. Of course I had to modify the shift plate anyway as it was only designed for a three speed.
I learned that putting a stop between OD and neutral was the best idea of all...because I missed a shift to high gear once...when already at 6500 RPM...went straight to neutral at WOT. Bad, very bad. I know it hit 10G's...a noise you don't even hear at Nascar. Of course I was lucky the engine still ran a few years after that...but two rods decided to go south when it did die. ( and all of them were over streched to the point of being non-reconditionable ).
I learned that putting a stop between OD and neutral was the best idea of all...because I missed a shift to high gear once...when already at 6500 RPM...went straight to neutral at WOT. Bad, very bad. I know it hit 10G's...a noise you don't even hear at Nascar. Of course I was lucky the engine still ran a few years after that...but two rods decided to go south when it did die. ( and all of them were over streched to the point of being non-reconditionable ).
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (BBA)
I couldn't see any way to do a neutral safety stop without some welding.
Actually I had initially planned on having some material welded in and then cutting the steps. But a little study of the unit and I came with the current solution.
Actually I had initially planned on having some material welded in and then cutting the steps. But a little study of the unit and I came with the current solution.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
Jim
I predict with a new tranny/looser convertor & Drag Radials, you will pull some 13.1's in good weather. Your car is about 1.5 mph faster than mine right now.
Vic
I predict with a new tranny/looser convertor & Drag Radials, you will pull some 13.1's in good weather. Your car is about 1.5 mph faster than mine right now.
Vic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (Vic'89)
Vic, if I can make it to Raceway Park Wed eve I'll find out if there's any gain from the higher shifts. If Wed is busy, I may have to go out to Island Dragway Sun.
As we discussed, DRs will be a real $$ hit for me but I think I could see a little gain from just a shift kit. I have a little time to ponder it before cool weather.
As we discussed, DRs will be a real $$ hit for me but I think I could see a little gain from just a shift kit. I have a little time to ponder it before cool weather.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
interesting. sounds like a great mod. i hate how sloppy the stock 700R4 shifter feels. did you get any pictures of the mods in progress?
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (88L98)
No pics (wasn't thinking I guess) but got a sketch from my original drawing on my site. Once you have the shifter gate in front of you'll see what the sketch means.
Oh all right, (good idea) I'll take a pic of my original shifter and put it up there for a real life rendition.
Right side view of shifter with gate in 1st gear, tall slot is "Park".
Left side view of shifter with gate in "Park", long slot is "1st","2nd","3rd".
[Modified by 65Z01, 1:46 AM 9/24/2001]
Oh all right, (good idea) I'll take a pic of my original shifter and put it up there for a real life rendition.
Right side view of shifter with gate in 1st gear, tall slot is "Park".
Left side view of shifter with gate in "Park", long slot is "1st","2nd","3rd".
[Modified by 65Z01, 1:46 AM 9/24/2001]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
Jim
Do you know your current shift points on the WOT 1-2 and 2-3 shift ?
My car shifts at about 4600/4700 rpm for both shifts. I leave it in the "D" position all the time for 1/4 mile racing.
Vic
Do you know your current shift points on the WOT 1-2 and 2-3 shift ?
My car shifts at about 4600/4700 rpm for both shifts. I leave it in the "D" position all the time for 1/4 mile racing.
Vic
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From: SE NY
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Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (Vic'89)
Vic, right now mine shifts about the same as yours. I feel it is about 500-600rpm too low for optimum 1/4mi results. I too had been launching in "D" due to no shift feel from the stock shift gate .
My 2nd elemination run Sat was a close one against a C5; we were close on the dial and launched at nearly the same time (both red). I got a nice lead off the line; it looked as though I was pulling on him a little in 2nd but the early shift into 3rd let him slide by. The 1-2 shift comes up so quickly that I couldn't get a feel for relative acceleration, but suspect that a later shift would have realy helped there too. It was pretty obvious that his ability to hold each gear a little longer gave him the edge.
My 2nd elemination run Sat was a close one against a C5; we were close on the dial and launched at nearly the same time (both red). I got a nice lead off the line; it looked as though I was pulling on him a little in 2nd but the early shift into 3rd let him slide by. The 1-2 shift comes up so quickly that I couldn't get a feel for relative acceleration, but suspect that a later shift would have realy helped there too. It was pretty obvious that his ability to hold each gear a little longer gave him the edge.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 268
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From: Western, MA
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
My friend mentioned doing this and i considered it but wasnt sure what i would do if he messed up so i ordered a B&M Megashifter and installed it instead. nice to know it works after i spent the money though! :D
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From: SE NY
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Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (slickGTA)
I too had some uncertainty:
1) would I have to weld in material to have enough for the steps.
2) would the step lengths match up with the shifter positions at the tranny.
That's one reason I went with a used shifter to modify. It still needs some adjustment on button travel as I don't feel the 3rd to OD step. But for now it gets the job done.
Also a major condiseration was a completely stock appearance.
1) would I have to weld in material to have enough for the steps.
2) would the step lengths match up with the shifter positions at the tranny.
That's one reason I went with a used shifter to modify. It still needs some adjustment on button travel as I don't feel the 3rd to OD step. But for now it gets the job done.
Also a major condiseration was a completely stock appearance.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (65Z01)
On the 79, I had enough shift selector plate 'meat' to start at the neutral position and make a notch there to seperate 4 to neutral movement.
For the 1-2, I ground down the 1 position lower than the 2, which was ground lower than the 3. Since I had to work the 3 into the already lower 4 position, I just kind of tapered the 3 range down.
Actually...I ended up teraring the thing out three or four times to come up with a design that felt right. I also had to increase the shifter button travel some to fully engage the new notches.
It works pretty well though.
For the 1-2, I ground down the 1 position lower than the 2, which was ground lower than the 3. Since I had to work the 3 into the already lower 4 position, I just kind of tapered the 3 range down.
Actually...I ended up teraring the thing out three or four times to come up with a design that felt right. I also had to increase the shifter button travel some to fully engage the new notches.
It works pretty well though.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: A 700R/4 that is manually shiftable. (BBA)
I rechecked my sketch and it has the 3rd to OD step so I need to cut a little off the button stop on the shaft to allow it to go up into the 3rd notch.
Guess I'll have to pull the unit and touch it up. But it should be quick this time, no major surgery this time.
Guess I'll have to pull the unit and touch it up. But it should be quick this time, no major surgery this time.
