C6 40mph-50mph kick
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceburg Tennessee
C6 40mph-50mph kick
I have an 05 A4 with 2.73 rear axle. Only mod thus far is a Diablo 93 tune. I've looked the forum over and couldn't quite find what I was looking for.
Basically when I punch it anywhere from 0-40 its fun as hell. Wicked quick acceleration and will spin tires anywhere in that range. On the flip side 40-50 mph kicks/punch seems to be lacking the seat of your pants quickness or throw you back in the seat that anywhere in the 0-40 range gives you.
My question is this, why does this happen and is it normal? Also, is it actually slower at a 40-50 kick or does it just feel like it's slower?
I don't plan to take the car to the track, therefore I had rather not change the rear gear ratio. I like the mpg!
Basically when I punch it anywhere from 0-40 its fun as hell. Wicked quick acceleration and will spin tires anywhere in that range. On the flip side 40-50 mph kicks/punch seems to be lacking the seat of your pants quickness or throw you back in the seat that anywhere in the 0-40 range gives you.
My question is this, why does this happen and is it normal? Also, is it actually slower at a 40-50 kick or does it just feel like it's slower?
I don't plan to take the car to the track, therefore I had rather not change the rear gear ratio. I like the mpg!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Is it dropping into 1st gear when it is under 40? At some point, it will be going too fast to drop to 1st so it will drop to 2nd gear. This will not be as dramatic because of the lower rpms in 2nd.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceburg Tennessee
Yeah, I assume it down shifts to first. It's just odd to be since the last "fast" vehicle I owned was a Ford Lightning. It's "sweet spot" was 40-50. In a rolling 45mph race is my car going to be slower than one who's "kick" is 40-50? Forgive me for I am clueless on vehicle mechanics. I am learning though. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
That's what I was going to suggest too. 0-40 it goes to first and above 40 it only goes to second. That's how my 05 A4 works and there is a big difference.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
The computer has limits for each gear so that it will not allow the driver to manually select a lower gear that would over rev the engine and do damage. This is a good thing so that an accidental move of the shift lever doesn't put it in first gear when you are on the highway at 80mph. The computer's limit for downshifting into first gear must be somewhere around 40mph.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 238
From: Colorado
My '13 A-6 shifts 1-2 right around 40 in S mode, so it won't kick down to 1st at say 45. But there is plenty of torque in 2nd at that speed so the pickup is still excellent. Not sure of the ratios on the A-4, but would guess that's what you're dealing with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
your Lightning had a roots blower on it. Put a TVS or an E-Force on your Vette and you'll never have a 40-50 problem again (other than roasting the tires....)