The Top DSM Community on the Web

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. Log in to remove most ads.

Please Support ExtremePSI
Please Support STM Tuned

Is auto awd still fun?

This site may earn a commission from merchant
affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Throwback23

10+ Year Contributor
222
7
Apr 28, 2012
Boring, Oregon
Im curious what everyone's experiences are with auto gsx setups. I recently picked up a 99 auto gst to build on the side and wanted to do something deferent with it. As far as drivetrain Im thinking awd auto conversion with a trans lab shift kit, road surge shift box, Ipt end clutches and 3g eclipse shifter w/ slap shift. Does anyone have experiences with this setup or something similar, I just want to know if it's still fun to drive... I have an auto awd setup lined up but kinda want conformation that it's worth it before I commit 1300 to the trans setup and everything I've listed. Ill probably use the motor and bolt ons in my talon for this car if that factors into anyone's input, it's making roughly 340hp in my m/t talon so I would assume more like 300 with the auto.... I thought the details for that setup were in my profile but I guess not, it's just a td05 20g with td06 cover and healthy 7 bolt with all bolt ons ... Thanks to everyone for any input and comments
 
Last edited:
i think auto transmissions are primarily used in 500+hp DSMs for consistent drag times... However I know people street drive them too. I think it depends on what you like. I personally would hate having an auto trans in my fun sports car. Whether it's a DSM or a $50k car, it just doesn't appeal to me and seems boring But that's just me.
 
Yep 1300.... I have all the parts for the conversion and the 3G shifter w/ slap shift....just have the trans, rear end and tcase to buy...which I have lined up for 800 if I decide to commit... Also the trans lab kit at 95$, road surge box at 150$ and end clutches at another 100$ total out to 1150ish but in sure I'll spend more on odds and ends.... I also do my own work so nothing but time spent on labor.
 
Last edited:
i think auto transmissions are primarily used in 500+hp DSMs for consistent drag times... However I know people street drive them too. I think it depends on what you like. I personally would hate having an auto trans in my fun sports car. Whether it's a DSM or a $50k car, it just doesn't appeal to me and seems boring But that's just me.
That's honestly what I'm afraid of, that it will suck with just 300hp...that said I do have a 6 bolt bottom end, forged rods and Pistons that will eventually make their way to the machine shop so I do plan to make decent power in the long run but kinda still want to have fun with it short term...
 
That's honestly what I'm afraid of, that it will suck with just 300hp...that said I do have a 6 bolt bottom end, forged rods and Pistons that will eventually make their way to the machine shop so I do plan to make decent power in the long run but kinda still want to have fun with it short term...

It will be a lot easier to street drive, do launches, brake boost, etc but is it as enjoyable as a manual trans? I say no but like I said, that's me. I still struggle launching and getting perfect quick shifts between 1st and 2nd but that is whats fun. And when I do get it perfect, it's the best feeling.
 
The answer you're seeking is subjective and relative to the person. For me the answer is absolutely. I enjoyed my 300ish hp auto 1g more than my 500hp 5-speed 1g. However full disclosure, my auto had a homemade shift box and eventually the kiggly shifter mod. If you really want fun do the kiggly shifter mod, and fab in a hurst or b&m style ratchet shifter. Ridiculously fun.
 
With a shift kit and a manual shift setup (hell you could even do steering wheel buttons if you wanted) It can be super fast. You're more or less going to do better every time in an auto simply because you keep boost between shifts. At the drag strip, this has endless value. Pair that with less driveline shock and being able to build more boost on the line than a two step can do alone and I dont really see how you do wrong. Also with no extra thrust load on the block, you dont have to worry about a heavy clutch walking the crank.
 
I never owned a AWD car but I would love to try one. Although more heavy, I think you gain a lot of confidence in pretty much every situation.
 
Black97Spyder has a 97 AWD Auto Talon and it has everything you mentioned (he's my son) PLUS the Kiggly flex plate (you will want that too). His has the IPT end clutch kit which I installed, Road Surge shift box and fully built auto. It is VERY exciting to drive, and there is a lot going on inside that car even though it is an auto. Less shock on everything and consistant times at the track. Very reliable and with the shift box, you can manually shift or let the trans do it's thing. When I drove it (once) I just let the trans shift since there was a lot of action inside that I didn't have time for. It was a blast to drive. MTC :thumb:
 
I have an auto awd talon around 300hp and its fun.. Its consistent and holds boost through shifts since you dont lift throttle. Tuning is a bit trickier because the load changes for shifts and doing a true 3rd gear pull is a PITA.

That being said I also have a 600+ manual trans Honda and its fun as well, but you have to build psi on each shift(not that that takes long). Also the 2wd I can smoke tires through 3 gears at that HP.

Its going to be personal opinion but auto awd with boost is still fun and maybe even a bit more consistent if you drag it.
 
One factor I brushed on but didn't explain is that Im essentially doing the bodywork and paint on the gst while I drive my talon and when it's done I'm swapping shells so I'll already have everything for 5speed awd conversion at no cost. That extra cost to go auto when I already have a manual setup factored in when I inittialy considered the awd auto because it's not necessarily chump change that I'll be spending to go auto and if it for some reason didn't appeal to me that would defiantly be the fail of the year.... and were only in February. That said I have been delivering medical supplies for a living and driving auto cars all day has been so much more chill that it's making me lazy LOL. It's also causing me to really like the prospect of easy driving while retaining the ability enjoy putting the power down so I'm leaning towards continuing with my auto idea. Ah I alsmost forgot, being that the gst is already auto it would also save me a small bit of extra work so that's always a bonus. Does anyone know if any of the auto gst tranny parts are the same or interchangeable with the auto gsx trans... It would be cool to have at least a few spare parts out of the gst trans if I ever needed them.
 
Last edited:
I've had 3 modded manuals and a few months ago I decided to try the auto. I purchased a 46k 93 for a kind of high price buy it was unmolested. When I picked up the car I friggen hated it! It was so awful! No kind of power or just plain boring. I was about to give up on it, but after paying a pretty penny I was pretty much fully comitted. I swapped out the injectors, turbo and ecu from a manual and no difference.... Still boring! And than I purchanse the forced four shift box, and added the fmic.... Man everything changed!!! The ability to shift at full line pressure mad a world of difference!

It's fun as hell, I enjoy driving it and my buddies who use to hate, now secretly wished they had one. I'm just about to be done with the new set up and get it tuned, I'm on a hx35 with a ported head and 272s. I'm hoping to see 400ish but we should see, this is just my first year with the auto
 
You're gonna love it. My son's car is HX40 powered with all supporting mods and sponsors too. Definitely a thrill to drive!
 
I didnt know there was a shift kit I am getting that. Off to find out if roadsurge is better or worst.
 
I went from FWD 5-speed to AWD auto and haven't ever regretted it. I run a billet 20g-TD06SL2, comp's 272 cam, evoIII intake/1g tb, 3" turbo back, obvious fuel upgrades and a few other things. The car is fun. At 300hp, it's right on the brink of "should I have gone with a 5-speed?" but then I remember, not every moment behind the wheel should be Race Wars. As a street car, a 5-speed is fun, but an automatic is easy. No pesky clutch to deal with traffic. No rolling backwards for hill starts. Of course there are the other obvious benefits. Less drivetrain shock. No need to replace a clutch. Brake boosting. At 300hp, I prefer to drive my car more than see how often I can peg the boost gauge.

The Road Surge box is a nice addition. I can't comment to their product, but can suggest looking at Forced Four. I am using their Lite box which doesn't have any controls for shifting. It must have external inputs. I would have leaned more heavily to a 5-speed had a shift box not been available. With the external inputs, using the 3g triptonic type of shifter may be possible. I've seen a huge number of different setups, so using another cars shifter isn't off limits. I've seen horn buttons, switch boxes, button boxes and so on. I entertained the idea of doing something a little different, bought a few extra cruise control switches, a $5 Radio Shack project box and went at it.

TCU/Shift box activation switch (in the ashtray with a custom switch plate, lid still closes):

You must be logged in to view this image or video.


The paddle box assembled:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.


Got to cut the plastic under the column to sink the box into place, but it's not terribly invasive if you have a spare.

Test mounted at this stage with some ebay paddle extensions:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.


Everything was bolted and buttoned up. No pesky button box to worry about. I still have my horns. My shifter still looks original. I just have two paddles behind the steering wheel that no one else has. Outside of the DSM community, no one bats an eye that it's been modded to be paddle shifted. Since they are a spring loaded switch (actually a momentary button), they also give a nice tactile response.

Here's a few videos:

Box boot up:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

A little cleared view of the paddle setup and function:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I should apologize for these next two. The first video is on the street. I downshifted from 3rd to 1st which was a bit violent (full pressure downshifts are hard! 1st gear is no joke.) Having a car in front of me, I didn't have much room but my phone's memory also filled and cut the video right where it ends.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

This last video was a few days ago. Pulled the car out of the garage to wash the dust off since it's in winter mode. Doing so flashed the rotors to rust, so I wanted to get them cleaned off. Figured, why not shoot another video. A few laws were possibly being broken, so I wasn't about to go ham.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
 
So i have to ask does full line pressure feel horrible if you have your tcu chipped and it downshifts from 2nd to 1st when coming to a stop? My chipped TCU almost felt like I had a fried tcu except that it would still shift through gears...
 
Yes, full line pressure kicks pretty hard. In my case I completely removed my tcu, suspected my tcu was gone, but yes it does kick hard.

As far as down shift from 2nd to 1st, you do not want to do this until you are at a complete stop, you can ruin the tranny by downshifting to 1st gear.
 
Yes, full line pressure kicks pretty hard. In my case I completely removed my tcu, suspected my tcu was gone, but yes it does kick hard.

As far as down shift from 2nd to 1st, you do not want to do this until you are at a complete stop, you can ruin the tranny by downshifting to 1st gear.
TCU makes it downshift on its own though as you are slowing down. Im not on a shift box or i wouldnt put in first at all until I stopped.
 
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications MyMitsubishiStore.com RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top