After 45k miles in a C7 w/ M7. What I think of the A8 tranny...
12-05-2016, 04:58 PM
#41
Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
Member Since: Oct 2012
Location: The only thing we have to beer is beer itself 🍺
Posts: 9,603
Received 1,440 Likes
on
940 Posts
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2018 C7 of Year Winner
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
12-05-2016, 05:21 PM
#42
Race Director
Stop being such a whiney bitch. This isn't a safe zone. Get it tuned if it really bothers you that much.
There are 1.5 billion people in China that would love to have a slow shifting Z07.
There are 1.5 billion people in China that would love to have a slow shifting Z07.
12-05-2016, 06:37 PM
#45
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Posts: 4,101
Received 716 Likes
on
436 Posts
Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle.
Coming from a Manual and expecting the A8 do the exact same thing is not going to happen until learning to make it do what you want when it needs to.
Just putting along using the paddles, it simply doesn't slam into each gear and is designed that way unless you're heavy into the throttle/RPMs.
It's also designed to deny a downshift if your Speed is too high and that lower gear will bring the RPMs to the rev limiter by going into that gear.
When driving a Manual I wouldn't do that and do not expect the Auto to do that either.
Up shifting with the A8 is a bit of a different story and will deny a shift if your Speed and RPMs are to low to warrant going to a higher gear to keep the engine from Lugging.
But briefly bringing up the RPMs will let you up shift and limp along in that higher gear when the RPMs drop a bit.
Anything at 3000 RPM or higher with my A8 using the paddles shifts in a split second, and anything from 4000 RPM up to Red line at WOT, shifts Instantly.
I'm Not implying that anyone doesn't know how to drive an Auto.
The the Auto will not replace the experience of driving a Manual
But there is a learning curve because these new Auto trans are throttle/RPM dependent on how quick they shift.
And letting off the throttle between shifts at slow speeds will cause a noticeable lag in shifts.
Also, when Blipping the throttle to put it in Performance shift mode, ...
Slam the pedal to the floor and Release it instantly,... the engine/RPMs will not do anything.
Only thing that happens is the Trans will go into Performance shift mode.
Just my 2 cents and my experience with the A8 after driving only Manuals
Coming from a Manual and expecting the A8 do the exact same thing is not going to happen until learning to make it do what you want when it needs to.
Just putting along using the paddles, it simply doesn't slam into each gear and is designed that way unless you're heavy into the throttle/RPMs.
It's also designed to deny a downshift if your Speed is too high and that lower gear will bring the RPMs to the rev limiter by going into that gear.
When driving a Manual I wouldn't do that and do not expect the Auto to do that either.
Up shifting with the A8 is a bit of a different story and will deny a shift if your Speed and RPMs are to low to warrant going to a higher gear to keep the engine from Lugging.
But briefly bringing up the RPMs will let you up shift and limp along in that higher gear when the RPMs drop a bit.
Anything at 3000 RPM or higher with my A8 using the paddles shifts in a split second, and anything from 4000 RPM up to Red line at WOT, shifts Instantly.
I'm Not implying that anyone doesn't know how to drive an Auto.
The the Auto will not replace the experience of driving a Manual
But there is a learning curve because these new Auto trans are throttle/RPM dependent on how quick they shift.
And letting off the throttle between shifts at slow speeds will cause a noticeable lag in shifts.
Also, when Blipping the throttle to put it in Performance shift mode, ...
Slam the pedal to the floor and Release it instantly,... the engine/RPMs will not do anything.
Only thing that happens is the Trans will go into Performance shift mode.
Just my 2 cents and my experience with the A8 after driving only Manuals
The following 2 users liked this post by Dif:
L8ter (12-06-2016),
Scruff Vette (12-05-2016)
12-05-2016, 07:17 PM
#46
Advanced
I'm with dif. A8 owners unite! At autocross it will react to aggressive steering input or a quick blip of the throttle. At the track, once you put your foot down it will react. I love the full throttle shifts!
I don't think that Performance Shift Mode was made for the street.
I don't think that Performance Shift Mode was made for the street.
12-05-2016, 07:28 PM
#47
The C7.R has an Xtrac 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox Mega-Line sequential paddle shift including reverse gear, limited-slip differential.
Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle.
Coming from a Manual and expecting the A8 do the exact same thing is not going to happen until learning to make it do what you want when it needs to.
Just putting along using the paddles, it simply doesn't slam into each gear and is designed that way unless you're heavy into the throttle/RPMs.
It's also designed to deny a downshift if your Speed is too high and that lower gear will bring the RPMs to the rev limiter by going into that gear.
When driving a Manual I wouldn't do that and do not expect the Auto to do that either.
Up shifting with the A8 is a bit of a different story and will deny a shift if your Speed and RPMs are to low to warrant going to a higher gear to keep the engine from Lugging.
But briefly bringing up the RPMs will let you up shift and limp along in that higher gear when the RPMs drop a bit.
Anything at 3000 RPM or higher with my A8 using the paddles shifts in a split second, and anything from 4000 RPM up to Red line at WOT, shifts Instantly.
I'm Not implying that anyone doesn't know how to drive an Auto.
The the Auto will not replace the experience of driving a Manual
But there is a learning curve because these new Auto trans are throttle/RPM dependent on how quick they shift.
And letting off the throttle between shifts at slow speeds will cause a noticeable lag in shifts.
Also, when Blipping the throttle to put it in Performance shift mode, ...
Slam the pedal to the floor and Release it instantly,... the engine/RPMs will not do anything.
Only thing that happens is the Trans will go into Performance shift mode.
Just my 2 cents and my experience with the A8 after driving only Manuals
Coming from a Manual and expecting the A8 do the exact same thing is not going to happen until learning to make it do what you want when it needs to.
Just putting along using the paddles, it simply doesn't slam into each gear and is designed that way unless you're heavy into the throttle/RPMs.
It's also designed to deny a downshift if your Speed is too high and that lower gear will bring the RPMs to the rev limiter by going into that gear.
When driving a Manual I wouldn't do that and do not expect the Auto to do that either.
Up shifting with the A8 is a bit of a different story and will deny a shift if your Speed and RPMs are to low to warrant going to a higher gear to keep the engine from Lugging.
But briefly bringing up the RPMs will let you up shift and limp along in that higher gear when the RPMs drop a bit.
Anything at 3000 RPM or higher with my A8 using the paddles shifts in a split second, and anything from 4000 RPM up to Red line at WOT, shifts Instantly.
I'm Not implying that anyone doesn't know how to drive an Auto.
The the Auto will not replace the experience of driving a Manual
But there is a learning curve because these new Auto trans are throttle/RPM dependent on how quick they shift.
And letting off the throttle between shifts at slow speeds will cause a noticeable lag in shifts.
Also, when Blipping the throttle to put it in Performance shift mode, ...
Slam the pedal to the floor and Release it instantly,... the engine/RPMs will not do anything.
Only thing that happens is the Trans will go into Performance shift mode.
Just my 2 cents and my experience with the A8 after driving only Manuals
The following users liked this post:
Dif (12-05-2016)
12-05-2016, 07:32 PM
#48
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Haymarket Virginia
Posts: 8,615
Likes: 0
Received 56 Likes
on
30 Posts
And I consider an inability to understand paddle shift lag and compensate for it to be gross driver error. Do you accelerate post apex or preapex taking into account the time it takes for the throttle to respond and the car to accelerate. The former is driver error and the latter is an accomplished driver. If you can't factor in paddle lag than you aren't awake and aware while operating your vehicle. And an M7 will not compensate for inability to drive.
I am not a drag racer but I would expect that those that have paddle shift lag problems go when the tree hits green. Those that don't go as the last yellow is fully lit.
I am not a drag racer but I would expect that those that have paddle shift lag problems go when the tree hits green. Those that don't go as the last yellow is fully lit.
The complaint is that when you click the paddle, there's a delay and its annoying. GM Says it's because the computer needs to "think" about what it needs to do. They must have a 286 processor in the trans computer.
Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle.
Coming from a Manual and expecting the A8 do the exact same thing is not going to happen until learning to make it do what you want when it needs to.
Just putting along using the paddles, it simply doesn't slam into each gear and is designed that way unless you're heavy into the throttle/RPMs.
It's also designed to deny a downshift if your Speed is too high and that lower gear will bring the RPMs to the rev limiter by going into that gear.
When driving a Manual I wouldn't do that and do not expect the Auto to do that either.
Up shifting with the A8 is a bit of a different story and will deny a shift if your Speed and RPMs are to low to warrant going to a higher gear to keep the engine from Lugging.
But briefly bringing up the RPMs will let you up shift and limp along in that higher gear when the RPMs drop a bit.
Anything at 3000 RPM or higher with my A8 using the paddles shifts in a split second, and anything from 4000 RPM up to Red line at WOT, shifts Instantly.
I'm Not implying that anyone doesn't know how to drive an Auto.
The the Auto will not replace the experience of driving a Manual
But there is a learning curve because these new Auto trans are throttle/RPM dependent on how quick they shift.
And letting off the throttle between shifts at slow speeds will cause a noticeable lag in shifts.
Also, when Blipping the throttle to put it in Performance shift mode, ...
Slam the pedal to the floor and Release it instantly,... the engine/RPMs will not do anything.
Only thing that happens is the Trans will go into Performance shift mode.
Just my 2 cents and my experience with the A8 after driving only Manuals
Coming from a Manual and expecting the A8 do the exact same thing is not going to happen until learning to make it do what you want when it needs to.
Just putting along using the paddles, it simply doesn't slam into each gear and is designed that way unless you're heavy into the throttle/RPMs.
It's also designed to deny a downshift if your Speed is too high and that lower gear will bring the RPMs to the rev limiter by going into that gear.
When driving a Manual I wouldn't do that and do not expect the Auto to do that either.
Up shifting with the A8 is a bit of a different story and will deny a shift if your Speed and RPMs are to low to warrant going to a higher gear to keep the engine from Lugging.
But briefly bringing up the RPMs will let you up shift and limp along in that higher gear when the RPMs drop a bit.
Anything at 3000 RPM or higher with my A8 using the paddles shifts in a split second, and anything from 4000 RPM up to Red line at WOT, shifts Instantly.
I'm Not implying that anyone doesn't know how to drive an Auto.
The the Auto will not replace the experience of driving a Manual
But there is a learning curve because these new Auto trans are throttle/RPM dependent on how quick they shift.
And letting off the throttle between shifts at slow speeds will cause a noticeable lag in shifts.
Also, when Blipping the throttle to put it in Performance shift mode, ...
Slam the pedal to the floor and Release it instantly,... the engine/RPMs will not do anything.
Only thing that happens is the Trans will go into Performance shift mode.
Just my 2 cents and my experience with the A8 after driving only Manuals
12-05-2016, 07:41 PM
#49
12-05-2016, 07:45 PM
#50
12-05-2016, 08:06 PM
#51
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Haymarket Virginia
Posts: 8,615
Likes: 0
Received 56 Likes
on
30 Posts
Ok, I'm getting back to you.
His first line starts with:
"Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle."
Let me know how using more throttle will make my manual shift any quicker...
It's about the LAG that the transmission has when you click the paddle and it actually shifts.
His post is informative for someone that says the A8 does not shift well, fast enough or firm enough.
So let me know your thoughts now and get back to us. 
His first line starts with:
"Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle."
Let me know how using more throttle will make my manual shift any quicker...
It's about the LAG that the transmission has when you click the paddle and it actually shifts.
His post is informative for someone that says the A8 does not shift well, fast enough or firm enough.
So let me know your thoughts now and get back to us.
12-05-2016, 08:40 PM
#52
Race Director
Here's an idea. Get a Diablo Intune if they make one for the Z. You can used the shift tune stuff. I had on I used before the blower when I had ECS tune the trans at the same time.
Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. LMAO
Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. LMAO
12-05-2016, 08:47 PM
#53
Race Director
For those who think the A8 issues are solved, here's one recent thread that suggests it's not.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ealership.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ealership.html
12-05-2016, 08:56 PM
#54
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Posts: 4,101
Received 716 Likes
on
436 Posts
Ok, I'm getting back to you.
His first line starts with:
"Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle."
Let me know how using more throttle will make my manual shift any quicker...
It's about the LAG that the transmission has when you click the paddle and it actually shifts.
His post is informative for someone that says the A8 does not shift well, fast enough or firm enough.
So let me know your thoughts now and get back to us.
His first line starts with:
"Anyone expecting/wanting the A8 to shift instantly needs to use more throttle."
Let me know how using more throttle will make my manual shift any quicker...
It's about the LAG that the transmission has when you click the paddle and it actually shifts.
His post is informative for someone that says the A8 does not shift well, fast enough or firm enough.
So let me know your thoughts now and get back to us.
But, it only lags going slow and/or RPM is not in a certain range.
At the RPM range I mentioned, 3000 or higher, I do Not have any lag from the time I press the paddle to when the Trans shifts.
And it's the same in Auto mode at the higher RPMs, no lag.
Only time I notice a slight lag, aside from going slow, is at highway speeds, 75/80 or faster, and downshifting more than one gear, say from 8th to 5th.
I tap the paddle 3 times real quick, and the trans shifts from 8th to 5 in less than a second "from the time I hit the paddle".
Yes, in this case even at speed with high RPM, downshifting 3 gears at once, there's a perceptible lag.
Then again and I don't know why, sometimes going down 3 gears at once, the planets must align and there's no lag.
Doing that with a manual might only take 1/2 second.
But it is an Auto
Considering these delays only happen ( for me anyways ) under "less than efficient" conditions, between when the paddle is depressed and the Trans shifts, it's a non issue.
I relate it to leisurely shifting a Manual which would probably take a second or more to push the clutch in and simultaneously moving the shifter into gear.
No offense and I understand if you don't like these delays
*** One other thing to consider which none of us mentioned ...
the A8 Trans learns your driving habits the more miles you put on. ***
It adapts to how you drive, fast, slow, more throttle, less throttle and becomes more efficient and responsive to the way you drive it.
Give it some time and miles and you should see an improvement, both as it adapts and, as you get used to how it responds to your input.
No, sorry it will not become a Manual
Last edited by Dif; 12-05-2016 at 08:57 PM. Reason: Spelling
12-05-2016, 09:20 PM
#55
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
No ! If you don't own one, don't speculate !
The following users liked this post:
AdventurePoser (12-06-2016)
12-05-2016, 09:26 PM
#56
Le Mans Master
I would drive off a cliff if my daily driver was a manual as I constantly sat in traffic driving from one client meeting to another. It's a lifeless DD, I don't need to be connected to the road or feel the "passion" of driving during the week. I just need to get work done.
Fast forward to the weekend. I have 2 toys, both manuals. As long as I have my hips and knees in good shape(i'm in my late 30s now, hopefully that's the case for a couple more decades), I see no point in not being the master of my vessel. Changing gears is one more way I completely disconnect from the rest of the world when enjoying my fun cars, one more way of connecting with the road.
This is of course my opinion, yours will vary I'm sure, but for me, automatics and sportscars don't mix, unless of coure there's a medical reason.
Fast forward to the weekend. I have 2 toys, both manuals. As long as I have my hips and knees in good shape(i'm in my late 30s now, hopefully that's the case for a couple more decades), I see no point in not being the master of my vessel. Changing gears is one more way I completely disconnect from the rest of the world when enjoying my fun cars, one more way of connecting with the road.
This is of course my opinion, yours will vary I'm sure, but for me, automatics and sportscars don't mix, unless of coure there's a medical reason.
The following 2 users liked this post by LT4CMG:
AdventurePoser (12-06-2016),
Chuck CoW (12-07-2016)
12-05-2016, 09:32 PM
#57
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Do I miss the fun of heel toe shifting ? You bet. Can't do it any more without pain in the left knee. Doesn't help having nerve damage in my right shoulder either. Makes shifting difficult. One of the many reasons I'm thankful for the A8.
12-05-2016, 09:36 PM
#58
Le Mans Master
Exactly what I meant. BTW, Congrats on the new beast. Just read you other post.
12-05-2016, 09:56 PM
#59
12-05-2016, 10:20 PM
#60
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
