How Do You Like Your 4spd Auto???
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 232
Likes: 52
From: Miami FL
hyperv6, this happened to me twice. The first time was at home when I shifted from drive to park. Suddenly the automatic transmission selector became loose with the car stuck in park, immobilizing it in my somewhat deep carport. I called a tow truck, he lifted up the back, slid a dolly underneath the rear wheels, then towed it to my mechanic with the car rolling on its front tires. (no flatbed trucks available that afternoon) I was not thrilled but had no choice. My mechanic replaced the shift linkage bushing.
A few months later the identical event happened as I was pulling into a CVS parking lot. I called my mechanic. He sent two guys out. They jacked up the car, got underneath, and did some sort of field repair, drove it back to the shop, and replaced the other shift linkage bushing. I learned that there are two, it would seem, one on each end, or something like that.
Profit from my lesson: If one of your bushings gets trashed, replace both at the same time. Don't know why my mechanic didn't do that the first time, but he gave me a price break on the second repair.
Ever since then, whenever I make any shift from or to: park, drive, or reverse, I always do so with two hands, gently and gingerly, never harshly or suddenly. Having an immobilized car, away from home, is an unwelcomed experience that is never forgotten.
A few months later the identical event happened as I was pulling into a CVS parking lot. I called my mechanic. He sent two guys out. They jacked up the car, got underneath, and did some sort of field repair, drove it back to the shop, and replaced the other shift linkage bushing. I learned that there are two, it would seem, one on each end, or something like that.
Profit from my lesson: If one of your bushings gets trashed, replace both at the same time. Don't know why my mechanic didn't do that the first time, but he gave me a price break on the second repair.
Ever since then, whenever I make any shift from or to: park, drive, or reverse, I always do so with two hands, gently and gingerly, never harshly or suddenly. Having an immobilized car, away from home, is an unwelcomed experience that is never forgotten.
Last edited by Dave's 1st Corvette; Aug 7, 2023 at 01:23 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 1,701
From: North Coast
hyperv6, this happened to me twice. The first time was at home when I shifted from drive to park. Suddenly the transmission selector became loose with the car stuck in park, immobilizing it in my somewhat deep carport. I called a tow truck, he lifted up the back, slid a dolly underneath the rear wheels, then towed it to my mechanic with the car rolling on its front tires. I was not thrilled but had no choice. My mechanic replaced the shift linkage bushing.
A few months later the identical event happened as I was pulling into CVS parking lot. I called my mechanic. He sent two guys out. They jacked up the car, got underneath, and did some sort of field repair, drove back to the shop, and replaced the other shift linkage bushing. I learned that there are two, it would seem, one on each end, or something like that.
Profit from my lesson: If one of your bushings gets trashed, replace both at the same time. Don't know why my mechanic didn't do that the first time, but he gave me a price break on the second repair.
Ever since then, whenever I make any shift from or to park, drive, or reverse, I always do so with two hands, gently and gingerly, never harshly or suddenly. Having an immobilized car, away from home, is an unwelcomed experience that is never forgotten.
A few months later the identical event happened as I was pulling into CVS parking lot. I called my mechanic. He sent two guys out. They jacked up the car, got underneath, and did some sort of field repair, drove back to the shop, and replaced the other shift linkage bushing. I learned that there are two, it would seem, one on each end, or something like that.
Profit from my lesson: If one of your bushings gets trashed, replace both at the same time. Don't know why my mechanic didn't do that the first time, but he gave me a price break on the second repair.
Ever since then, whenever I make any shift from or to park, drive, or reverse, I always do so with two hands, gently and gingerly, never harshly or suddenly. Having an immobilized car, away from home, is an unwelcomed experience that is never forgotten.
thanks for the voice of experience.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 125
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
I had a C4 with a stick and the wife had her troubles driving it. I got the C5 with an auto to make it easier for her.
Fact is, she won't drive the C5 because she says I'm too fussy about parking spots and speed bumps and the like.
Now the auto is fine, but if you are getting it to appease the Mrs., be sure she is really going to drive it.
For me, a 6-speed and a string of pearls might have been a better way to go.
Fact is, she won't drive the C5 because she says I'm too fussy about parking spots and speed bumps and the like.
Now the auto is fine, but if you are getting it to appease the Mrs., be sure she is really going to drive it.
For me, a 6-speed and a string of pearls might have been a better way to go.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
I hear you Beast! I have a 3.42 gear with a 3,200 Yank. When it hooks......Just glad the seat backs are pretty strong!! A 3.73/3,200 with sticky tires? YA-Tough to beat to 60, 0r even 100mph!!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 48
From: Maui
I had a C4 with a stick and the wife had her troubles driving it. I got the C5 with an auto to make it easier for her.
Fact is, she won't drive the C5 because she says I'm too fussy about parking spots and speed bumps and the like.
Now the auto is fine, but if you are getting it to appease the Mrs., be sure she is really going to drive it.
For me, a 6-speed and a string of pearls might have been a better way to go.
Fact is, she won't drive the C5 because she says I'm too fussy about parking spots and speed bumps and the like.
Now the auto is fine, but if you are getting it to appease the Mrs., be sure she is really going to drive it.
For me, a 6-speed and a string of pearls might have been a better way to go.
Plus, we tried it once with a Benz 500sl. Nice car and fun to drive but every time I Iooked at that thing some sensor or relay broke and it was a nightmare to work on. I'm leaning Vette but could also see picking a nice motorcycle to play around on.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
No sticky tires yet. So far my best 60’ is 1.97
1/8 mile 8.0 @ 88mph
1/4 mile 12.5 @ 111mph.
I have full exhaust with headers, VR intake, tuned, made 340wheel horse.
Did you do sticky tires yet? My trans is stock too, 77,000 miles. I’m afraid my trans would go too, if it blows, so be it, I’m prepared to order the RPM trans. I beat on mine. I’m surprised it shifts so well.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
Love my A4 btw.
No sticky tires yet. So far my best 60’ is 1.97
1/8 mile 8.0 @ 88mph
1/4 mile 12.5 @ 111mph.
I have full exhaust with headers, VR intake, tuned, made 340wheel horse.
Did you do sticky tires yet? My trans is stock too, 77,000 miles. I’m afraid my trans would go too, if it blows, so be it, I’m prepared to order the RPM trans. I beat on mine. I’m surprised it shifts so well.
No sticky tires yet. So far my best 60’ is 1.97
1/8 mile 8.0 @ 88mph
1/4 mile 12.5 @ 111mph.
I have full exhaust with headers, VR intake, tuned, made 340wheel horse.
Did you do sticky tires yet? My trans is stock too, 77,000 miles. I’m afraid my trans would go too, if it blows, so be it, I’m prepared to order the RPM trans. I beat on mine. I’m surprised it shifts so well.
Best 60ft I ever got is similar to you, a 1.99. My car also ran a 12.50 when stock, but hit 113.95 (I always say 114mph!). 1/8 mile was high 7s@92mph. This was on 315/30/18 Michelin PS2s. I'm sure you realize that if we could've gotten down to 1.65 60' times, we'd have been in the 11s. To me, that is almost unbelievable from a stock internals 350 cubic inch engine with an automatic transmission......
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
No sticky tires yet. The Nitto 555Rs are at least a month wait last I looked. I'm also afraid that putting 500+whp in front of a 140,000 mile trans, then adding sticky tires is a recipe for disaster!! At the very least I would be tempting fate, lol Best 60ft I ever got is similar to you, a 1.99. My car also ran a 12.50 when stock, but hit 113.95 (I always say 114mph!). 1/8 mile was high 7s@92mph. This was on 315/30/18 Michelin PS2s. I'm sure you realize that if we could've gotten down to 1.65 60' times, we'd have been in the 11s. To me, that is almost unbelievable from a stock internals 350 cubic inch engine with an automatic transmission......
Best 60ft I ever got is similar to you, a 1.99. My car also ran a 12.50 when stock, but hit 113.95 (I always say 114mph!). 1/8 mile was high 7s@92mph. This was on 315/30/18 Michelin PS2s. I'm sure you realize that if we could've gotten down to 1.65 60' times, we'd have been in the 11s. To me, that is almost unbelievable from a stock internals 350 cubic inch engine with an automatic transmission......
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 69
Likes: 78
From: Hickory Creek, TX
The only car I've ever ordered from the factory was a '14 Mustang GT (I wanted the glass roof and a red interior). I ordered it with the 6M- and regretted it when construction started on my 20 mile drive to work. In fact, bumper to bumper traffic was the reason I eventually traded it in.
My '03 is a 4A (2.73 gear), and it is just fine. As I often tell my son, "HP doesn't matter once the wheels lose traction." I'm not looking to track my Vette- I just want something sporty and fun to drive. The nice thing about my Vette (IMO) is I can be as aggressive as I want without having to worry about things getting out of control. Although it isn't a beast off the line, if I see a hole in traffic I want to get into it'll go from 80-120 in a blink- and the car is just plain fun to drive around a cloverleaf.
Best wishes on your purchase- you'll have plenty of fun with an automatic (and at 55 years of age, it's kinda nice to let the car do its own shifting).
My '03 is a 4A (2.73 gear), and it is just fine. As I often tell my son, "HP doesn't matter once the wheels lose traction." I'm not looking to track my Vette- I just want something sporty and fun to drive. The nice thing about my Vette (IMO) is I can be as aggressive as I want without having to worry about things getting out of control. Although it isn't a beast off the line, if I see a hole in traffic I want to get into it'll go from 80-120 in a blink- and the car is just plain fun to drive around a cloverleaf.
Best wishes on your purchase- you'll have plenty of fun with an automatic (and at 55 years of age, it's kinda nice to let the car do its own shifting).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 86
From: De Pere, WI
I WISH my M6 car was an auto....It would be so much quicker
Previous build of my car my PB was 11.0@130.47 with a 1.53 60' (525ish whp NA) and my PB with a 100 shot was 10.89@132 with a 1.66 60' ....Now that I will have about 700whp more than I was NA it is going to be a handful to launch the car LOL ahahahaha
Previous build of my car my PB was 11.0@130.47 with a 1.53 60' (525ish whp NA) and my PB with a 100 shot was 10.89@132 with a 1.66 60' ....Now that I will have about 700whp more than I was NA it is going to be a handful to launch the car LOL ahahahaha
Last edited by HardcoreABN; Aug 9, 2023 at 11:34 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 213
From: Auburn Ohio
Ordered Two Brand New back in the day...
98 Vert and a 99 both Six Speed Both Black Light Oak interior and Light Oak Top...
Deciede to find another last fall and turned up the Right Combination ...but an A4
Being a dedicated Six Speed guy I hesitated....
Then Caved in and Bought my current 2001 A4
After a week or so of M6 withdrawal symptoms ....
i Decieded “Fat Dumb and Happy” is Great!
Love the A4 for different reasons
by the way I read Somewhere that the 2001 received “Improved Shift Points”
and was Smoother Not sure but it’s very seamless and Excellent at WOT
upper shift point (Redline)
You Will Not Match The Fuel Economy of a carefully driven M6 Though
my M6 would do Legit 30.9 mpg
My A4. Can’t come close at 24.1. ...on the same 250 mile trip
My Car is also a Z51 3.15 Performance Axle Ratio build
....Even if you’re a dedicated Gear Banger...
Get Over It. ....Just Get one !
98 Vert and a 99 both Six Speed Both Black Light Oak interior and Light Oak Top...
Deciede to find another last fall and turned up the Right Combination ...but an A4
Being a dedicated Six Speed guy I hesitated....
Then Caved in and Bought my current 2001 A4
After a week or so of M6 withdrawal symptoms ....
i Decieded “Fat Dumb and Happy” is Great!
Love the A4 for different reasons
by the way I read Somewhere that the 2001 received “Improved Shift Points”
and was Smoother Not sure but it’s very seamless and Excellent at WOT
upper shift point (Redline)
You Will Not Match The Fuel Economy of a carefully driven M6 Though
my M6 would do Legit 30.9 mpg
My A4. Can’t come close at 24.1. ...on the same 250 mile trip
My Car is also a Z51 3.15 Performance Axle Ratio build
....Even if you’re a dedicated Gear Banger...
Get Over It. ....Just Get one !
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 2,049
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I am (was) one of those mentioned dedicated gear jammers (I put a 5 speed M in a Crown Vic from a Mustang, that's how deranged I am about it..), when I inherited my dad's 2K A4 Coupe I was disappointed in the fact it was an auto having driven one previously that seemed lethargic to what I thought a car that looks this fast sitting still should be. First time driving my new to me Vette I was pleasantly surprised to find it had more oomph than the first one I drove, dad sprung for the 3.15 gearing and that made for a much snappier around town ride for me. Now that I have put around 5000 miles on it cruising Florida backroads the auto is growing on me, my replaced left knee certainly appreciates it. I recently had a chance to drive a modded (stroked and tuned, 480rwhp) auto with 3.73 gearing, and an RPM trans, I don't know the level. I do know I would be a happy camper if mine ran like that, trans was spot on and shifted perfectly. The ONLY thing I don't like about the auto is there are zero aftermarket shifters for it, and I do love a nice ratcheting auto shifter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,876
Likes: 254
From: Hillsboro OR
When I bought my C5 it was an A4, 2:73 gears. I swapped the gears with 3:42's. The A4 trans is highly tune-able. You can set the up/downshift points (Speed and RPM) for each gear. Shift time, Shift pressure, etc. It made it much more pleasurable to drive.
I started tracking it and it started to overheat. Instead of adding all the coolers and lines, I converted the car to an MN12.
I started tracking it and it started to overheat. Instead of adding all the coolers and lines, I converted the car to an MN12.