Hi all. I know this is an old topic but I was looking at it because I'm trying to decide whether to get my C4 with an automatic or 6 speed. After reading the posts about shifting the automatic manually I wanted to share a story from a while back (around 1975). At that time I had a 1962 Corvette. It was'nt stock it had a 3 speed turbo transmission. I was racing a guy (on the street). He had a 390 cu in Ford Torino. I always shifted manually, for the fun of it. In the heat of the moment, while racing and at about 60 MPH I accidently went into reverse I must hacve grabbed the button on the left side of the shifter and pushed it in and went past third up to reverse. The rearend felt like it jumped off the ground! Anyway, there was no damage to the transmission. Anyway sounds like if you change your torque converter and put in a shift kit as well as changing the rearend ratio you can really go faster. By the way, for a while the 62 had a 4:88 rear in it. woo. I found this link that might be of some interest to some:
http://defaria.com/Vette/Gears.html

 

Interesting story.
The tranny depends on what you want out of your car. For sport driving I do prefer the manual, but if it is drag racing - Auto is consistant and the way to go.
I shift the auto manually, you can push the shifter from 1st to 2nd and third without touching the button.
My tranny is not electronic so I shift where I want in the powerband.
Jim

 

Hi Jim. I was wondering if anyone uses an Auto transmission for Autocross or is that strictly out of the question. I really had fun shifting the auto in my 62. I'd always shift it up and down shifting. Off course back then I was more wild and crazy.

I noticed there are so many more Automatics for sale than 6 speeds. I'm planning on picking up at least a 92 maybe as new as a 95.

 

the reason there are more autos (like 70-90% of production) is because older rich guys and gals generally don't want to shift and talk on the cellphone at the same time. Manuals usually require more skill, driver attention and wear out far more quickly- hence everyone wants an auto. Besides, there are plenty of people who just don't know HOW to use a stick...

But I agree, autos are more consistent and faster at the track, but for a daily driver and just the fun of it I'd prefer a manual. Nothing like downshifting with a stick!

 

[QUOTE]Hi Jim. I was wondering if anyone uses an Auto transmission for Autocross or is that strictly out of the question. I really had fun shifting the auto in my 62. I'd always shift it up and down shifting. Off course back then I was more wild and crazy.

/QUOTE]

I always thought that it was bad for the auto tranny when you manually do a downshift. It is fun, and if I knew that it wasn't hurting the transmission, I'd be doing it a lot more.

 

The only downside is if you tach the motor (redline it from downshifting prematurely) or just the increase clutch wear and higher temps from the tranny operating in a higher RPM range (with more torque going through it). But I think a lot of people use their automatics spiritedly with no major issues, outside of maybe more frequent fluid changes (use synthetic) and eventually requiring a rebuild a little bit earlier than with wussy driving (pretty hypothetical really, since a lot of things can necessitate a tranny rebuild).

I say enjoy the darn thing and drive it like you stole it!



EDIT: I just realized I got 20 years and 178,000 miles out of my stock tranny with spirited driving on a 320ft-lbs crossfire with plenty of downshifting and manual shifting. My dad (previous owner) drove the p:ss out of it for years, and then I got it as a 20 year old (you can guess how I drove it for the next 4 years). Funny thing is, the only reason I took it in for a rebuild was because the radiator sprung an internal leak at the integral transmission cooler and coolant got into the transmission. Filled the darn thing with water, and I still drove it for a week before the rebuild (and to the shop 30 minutes away).

they're not made out of glass, have a little fun.


[Modified by Ramanstud, 1:04 AM 6/28/2004]

 

Thats a great quote! I live by it!! I say drive it like you stole it but maintain it like it's gotta last for life!!


[Modified by skateparkdave, 12:58 AM 6/28/2004]

 

I run autocross with a auto and a 2.59 I like it because I never have to shift. Drop it in first and hang on with BOTH hands. Sometimes it takes both hands to keep you in the seat

 

Sounds good to me booksmart. I look forward to getting into autocross.

 

I have autocrossed my auto 89 a few times....no worries, just leave it in"2" and go

 

I have seen CMod Camaros with manually shifted automatics pull top time of the day out up against some very fast cars - like the Z06.

I have autoxed my auto 96 CE (it has the stiffer factory sport suspension but rock hard Goodyear Eagle tires) auto a few times when my dedicated autox car, a race prepared Datsun 240Z running Hoosier slicks was down for maintenance. On my '96, I shift it up and down manually for best performance, but on downshifts, you have to experiment and practice to get it right. Coming into a tight corner, you can move the shifter from say 2nd to 1st but the tranny won't actually shift down until you slow to a particular speed. Then when it finally "catches" first there is the tendency for the rear wheels to drag and the car will spin out resulting in loud cheers from the spectators and much ribbing from fellow competitors.

My '96 also suffers from severe fuel starvation on long counter clockwise sweepers, even with a 1/2 tank of gas.

The '96 does have some very nice ABS brakes though, and 've been tempted to steal them from the Vette and put them on my 240Z.

Some day, I'll get a second set of wheels and put race rubber on the '96, I'm sure that alone will make big improvements. You can have a load of fun but one shouldn't expect to be a contender without some suspension and tire upgrades.

 

link didn't work

 

Good story Frank, good think it was a Vette so the DT could stand the jolt.

I think a 6-speed ('89 or newer) would be the ***** for auto-cross and rowing through the gears would be fun. Though I got an A4 for bracket racing I still up/down shift manually sometimes. If I hold 1st gear and roll out to about 20mph the launch is quite impressive.

You have two options here (well actually three). You can get a 6-speed, or an A4. You can install a shift kit in the A4 to really improve shift quickness and feel; the TransGo kit has two options 1) normal A4 operation, 2) manual only shifting.

I'm not sure which would fare better in auto-cross, the 6-speed with close ratios or the A4 with the manual shift option. But it's something for you to consider.

 

Since we are talking about shifting, Is there anyone out there that makes an aftermarket shifter for the Automatic Trans? The F body guys can get a Hurst dual gate or a B&M megashifter that fits right in the console and makes shifting a blast. Is there nothing like this available for the Vette or have I just not found it yet? Am I going to have to cut, weld, and adapt?? Thanks, Roy