Question for owners with automatics
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Question for owners with automatics (SunCr)
Yep it sure was and I was surprised too, I expected well not sure what I expected but was definitely surprised with what I saw. I wished now I had remembered to have the digital cam in the car I could have snapped several pictures. There was a hint of a film in the bottom of the pan that when he wiped it with his finger you could barely tell it was a little dirty. The fluid flush was neat to watch, you can see when the old darker fluid change over to the new bright color fluid. I think it was like $120. for the flush and filter. And no extra charge for getting to watch and ask questions.
:chevy :party:
:chevy :party:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,876
Likes: 39
From: cincinnati ohio
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Question for owners with automatics (87vette)
I installed a trans-go shift kit in my 86.I shift mine because of the constant shifting it does on it's own really annoys me.Plus it is so much more responsive and sounds better when I shift.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 4
From: Middle River MD
Re: Question for owners with automatics (jlsru75)
I also leave it in "3" which is actually "drive" below ~43 mph.
The constant shift/downshift is unnecessary and as stated several times responsiveness and engine braking are enhanced at these slower speeds. RPM's do not change much because with my loose convertor, slippage is greater in OD below 43-45 mph.
Plus mashing the gas at these speeds only requires one gear change to second, unless I'm only going about 30 which results in a whiplash like shift into first. :D
The constant shift/downshift is unnecessary and as stated several times responsiveness and engine braking are enhanced at these slower speeds. RPM's do not change much because with my loose convertor, slippage is greater in OD below 43-45 mph.
Plus mashing the gas at these speeds only requires one gear change to second, unless I'm only going about 30 which results in a whiplash like shift into first. :D
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Southfield Michigan
Re: Question for owners with automatics (HeeHaw89)
Someone asked about manually shifting. If there any performance gaines manually shifting? It seems like if your trans was set right it will shift at the right time the only thing you would get out of manually shifting would be to shift early or late.
Just curious. I have been known to manually shift it myself but I usually put it in second because that is all the gear I need to get from the drive way at work to my first turn around. ( Michigan turn arounds gotta love them.)
Just curious. I have been known to manually shift it myself but I usually put it in second because that is all the gear I need to get from the drive way at work to my first turn around. ( Michigan turn arounds gotta love them.)
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 445
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Question for owners with automatics (BookSmart)
I'm not sure that there is much of a "performace gain" from shifting it manually. I have an L98 and the powerband really starts to tail off as the rpms climb past 4,500. If I let the transmission shift "automatically" from 1-2 I believe the no real gain is derived from shifting 1-2. However, I like to hold onto second gear a little longer than the "auto" 2-3 shift will allow. I'm not sure of the reduction in ET from running a bit deeper in 2nd, but it feels a little quicker (or maybe it's just the Borla Stingers screaming at 4,900 that makes it "seem" faster).
Has anyone with an automatic noticed a difference in ET/mph when shifting manually as opposed to leaving the car to shift automatically?
Has anyone with an automatic noticed a difference in ET/mph when shifting manually as opposed to leaving the car to shift automatically?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Question for owners with automatics (vader86)
leave it in D until getting over 45mph and staying there
town driving would force it to shift more 3-4, and those are the first to go when the tranny dies
town driving would force it to shift more 3-4, and those are the first to go when the tranny dies
Also I've yet to bring my car to the shop to inspect my tranny due to shifting problems especially getting into 3rd gear. I changed the fluid twice in the 4 years I've owned the car. It was dark brown when I bought it and when I changed it .. it pretty much stayed red. Although I don't drive the Vette much. until recently I've been having tranny problems. I read that changing the tranny fluid on a car that hasn't been serviced like it should would be a bad thing. Something about the fluid acting as a detergent?
Although I did adjust the Tv cable and it shifts better but irregular. I guess I won't really know the whole answer until I get it inspected.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Question for owners with automatics (87vette)
After I got my transmission done, the tranny guy told me that I should drive in OD. Ive had a couple of other experts on transmission tell me that as well. So, thats what I do most of the time right now. Its hard to break old habbits and I do like driving at higher rpms. (You probably wont wanna buy my car if it goes up for sale.) :crazy:
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: Question for owners with automatics (87vette)
My tranny builder told me that it doesn't matter how I abuse my trans...
A broken tranny means a free rebuild (where I shop).. so I imagine that a well built auto tranny can take the "daily abuse" of "whatever" you'd like to do to it.
I'm sure he said this knowing that it'll be 10 years before I could kill my tranny with "granny" driving. Maybe 2 years with hard driving and nitrous.
You must TRY to ruin your transmission. Just make sure you've got $1K in the bank to back up your fun. I'll bet it takes much longer than you think with stock power.
Don't be a kitty when driving your car. It was meant to be driven at more than 12% throttle.
A broken tranny means a free rebuild (where I shop).. so I imagine that a well built auto tranny can take the "daily abuse" of "whatever" you'd like to do to it.
I'm sure he said this knowing that it'll be 10 years before I could kill my tranny with "granny" driving. Maybe 2 years with hard driving and nitrous.
You must TRY to ruin your transmission. Just make sure you've got $1K in the bank to back up your fun. I'll bet it takes much longer than you think with stock power.
Don't be a kitty when driving your car. It was meant to be driven at more than 12% throttle.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Question for owners with automatics (87vette)
I read that changing the tranny fluid on a car that hasn't been serviced like it should would be a bad thing. Something about the fluid acting as a detergent?
If I'm granny driving, I pretty much just leave it in OD. Otherwise its easier to hold say 30mph in D then it is in OD. I had a sheriff following me one afternoon coming into the subdivision and in OD it was tough to hold 30 on the nose. I just dropped it back to D and said to myself go bother someone else. :)
