Auto trans for autocross?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Penna.
Auto trans for autocross?
I'm planning a project using a C4 for cruising and weekend autocrossing. My plan includes installing an LS engine and trans. I have found a lot more auto trans C4's for very reasonable prices than manual trans cars. My question was whether anyone has any experience or opinions on using an automatic trans in autocrossing.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
10 plus years ago i did a lot of autocrossing
i have 92 auto with 3.07 rear(g92) and with a lot of seat time i even managed to get a fastest time of the day at our club's auto-x event in 2000;
one car that repeatedly got fastest time of the day was a 1986 auto;
the 1986 L98 torque seemed a bit better than the Lt1 and even ls1
the folks with stick cars just shifted to second and left them there.
Also the god of autocrossing corvette's was Roger Johnson and his yellow 1986 auto corvette;
now i haven't been autocrossing since 2002 so i am sure people will have new info
other suggestions SCCA national tour has autocross school take it; also here in canada we had VCMC /CACC put on beginner and advanced autocross schools that helped
main focus was g circles; off set gates and slalom;
remember look ahead; slow hands; slow feet; smoothness
also get alignment for autocross; sticky tires; play with tire pressure
best of all seat time
anyway my .02
i have 92 auto with 3.07 rear(g92) and with a lot of seat time i even managed to get a fastest time of the day at our club's auto-x event in 2000;
one car that repeatedly got fastest time of the day was a 1986 auto;
the 1986 L98 torque seemed a bit better than the Lt1 and even ls1
the folks with stick cars just shifted to second and left them there.
Also the god of autocrossing corvette's was Roger Johnson and his yellow 1986 auto corvette;
now i haven't been autocrossing since 2002 so i am sure people will have new info
other suggestions SCCA national tour has autocross school take it; also here in canada we had VCMC /CACC put on beginner and advanced autocross schools that helped
main focus was g circles; off set gates and slalom;
remember look ahead; slow hands; slow feet; smoothness
also get alignment for autocross; sticky tires; play with tire pressure
best of all seat time
anyway my .02
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you want manual type shifting with an A4 you could install a TransGo shift kit set up for "manual" operation. Then you would have full gear selection control sans the clutch.
Though I would think that an L98 with A4 would likely never need to come out of 2nd gear.
Though I would think that an L98 with A4 would likely never need to come out of 2nd gear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
I've seen several people do well in auto C4's. The biggest catch is the dropoff in gearing between 1st and 2nd. Nearly a 50% drop in torque! So don't get stuck in 2nd after a tight turn.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
The local A/S champion (at least he was champ two years ago...) runs a C4 L98 w/ auto trans. They can work.
Good luck, have fun, and do well.
Larry
code5coupe
Good luck, have fun, and do well.
Larry
code5coupe
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
[QUOTE
the god of autocrossing corvette's was Roger Johnson and his yellow 1986 auto corvette;
[/QUOTE]
I've owned several C4's and have run SCCA solo II in SS, BSP and ASP but nothing was faster on an autocross course than my 86 Z-51 automatic Roger Johnson clone. Front suspension design, light weight, L-98 torque and 2800 rpm stall torque converter equals fast!!!
Larry
the god of autocrossing corvette's was Roger Johnson and his yellow 1986 auto corvette;
[/QUOTE]
I've owned several C4's and have run SCCA solo II in SS, BSP and ASP but nothing was faster on an autocross course than my 86 Z-51 automatic Roger Johnson clone. Front suspension design, light weight, L-98 torque and 2800 rpm stall torque converter equals fast!!!
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
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