Manual Shifting Automatic [Merged 5-9] shift auto manually shifter

[NeOzz1]

I have an auto and I was just wondering if it was bad to start in low and push it to second then drive and if it even helps

 

[98autogstspyder]

some of you guys said that its the same thing launching in D and launching in L. well with me, the car feels a hell of alot faster if i just do a quick run with it in L. any1 else feel the same way?

Tyler

 

[gregmondro]

or you could just do it the proper way.

put the car from econo mode to power

power brake it in D, and let the car shift like automatic transmissions are supposed to (on their own)

 

[TheRealist]

Hey guys i was wondering if this would hurt your engine in anyway, i noticed when you put it on low and 2nd then drive the car seems faster then just haveing it on drive and punching it, is it bad to have it at low from the line then punch it shift to 2nd at about 550k so you wont redline it badly and D??? is it bad to do that? i realy miss stick but i couldnt let this deal go...Bought the car for 2900 with 78k on it but automatic from cousin.

 

[kawboy]

Your car is actually faster launching in D with Overdrive off.

Neutral drops, and manual shifting are all not very good for your transmission. You CAN do it, but I wouldn't.

 

[NitroTalon]

you should never Neutral drop! dont even think about it. Same with shifting from a lower gear to D while driving. its not made for that, just drive w/o overdrive on until you notice it wont go anymore. (for me its 80-85 km/h i suck at converting it so figure it out) then just press it on and your good

 

[TSIMonsteR]

You have alot of reading to do. DSMTalk.com actually has alot of useful info about auto DSM's. I love my auto!

Also, to answer your question. To launch an Auto DSM this is what you do... (be careful not to overheat your tranny, the cost alot)

Put it in Drive with OD off.
Put your foot on the brake and press it in.
Push the accelerator (gas pedal) to the floor
The car will act like it is trying to move, once the RPM's get you about 2200 or so, let the brake go and hold on. Your tires will most likely brake loose
This is called brake boosting. I don't know if you knew this already or not, but here you go

P.S.- I have also owned a 91 Talon TSI 5spd... so I have had both

 

[Ultimatedsm]

Just don't toast your torque converter power braking.

 

[eldiabloz13]

shifting in a auto likes its a manual could blow your head gaskets. My friend did it to his. i told him not to but being the moron he is. It blew and i laughed.

 

[4BangR-x]

umm, how is shifting an auto like a manual in any way related to blowing a head gasket? If anything, blowing the head gasket came from all that constant boost.

 

[drivemusicnow]

While i dont' know specifically about DSM automatic transmissions, Autos in general are pretty simple and I work as an engineering co-op for a company that makes trans that take over 1100 ft lbs of torque through them...

Stalling/brake torque your car is when you're at a stop, hold the brake down with one foot, floor the gas with the other, than let off the brake. tires spin.. not always the best way to launch depending on how much HP you're making.

Brake BOOSTing is cooler.. if you're going 30mph and apply both the brakes and the throttle in order to continue going 30 mph but put more load on the engine, you will be able to spool your turbo and it will "launch" from that 30 mph roll. (I've seen an auto DSM break all four wheels loose smoothly at 60 mph doing this on a large turbo and a high stall TC)

"Shifting" your auto creates more heat inside the transmission because instead of the trans being able to smoothly transition into the next gear, (typically will spin the gear you're shifting into to make a nice smooth shift) it is forced into shifting when you slam it into the next "gear". This creates more heat, more friction on the clutch surfaces which means more wear and heat.

"Neutral dropping" is all of the above, plus driveline shock, and it isn't good for the fluid pump in your transmission either.

 

[TheRealist]

While i dont' know specifically about DSM automatic transmissions, Autos in general are pretty simple and I work as an engineering co-op for a company that makes trans that take over 1100 ft lbs of torque through them...

Stalling/brake torque your car is when you're at a stop, hold the brake down with one foot, floor the gas with the other, than let off the brake. tires spin.. not always the best way to launch depending on how much HP you're making.

Brake BOOSTing is cooler.. if you're going 30mph and apply both the brakes and the throttle in order to continue going 30 mph but put more load on the engine, you will be able to spool your turbo and it will "launch" from that 30 mph roll. (I've seen an auto DSM break all four wheels loose smoothly at 60 mph doing this on a large turbo and a high stall TC)

"Shifting" your auto creates more heat inside the transmission because instead of the trans being able to smoothly transition into the next gear, (typically will spin the gear you're shifting into to make a nice smooth shift) it is forced into shifting when you slam it into the next "gear". This creates more heat, more friction on the clutch surfaces which means more wear and heat.

"Neutral dropping" is all of the above, plus driveline shock, and it isn't good for the fluid pump in your transmission either.

Nuetral dropping no way jose!!! my friend did that and broke his auto tranny i laughed

 

[mini zilo]

I have heard from some people that it is helpful when racing, and also heard that it is not. Is it better to just leave it in Drive, or go Low, 2, then drive, then over drive? I have also heard that shifting manually in an automatic is bad for the trans?

 

[rst95eclipse]

Manually shifting an auto is bad for a transmission, but your question seems like "How bad is it". Example, one cigarette won't kill you but many will. However, such an example can apply to almost everything on a car. If I were you, I'd just push the overdrive and let it rip, but I am a conservative person when it comes to my car. Automatics generally are stronger than manuals. Hope that helps.

 

[gob4sho89]

"Automatics generally are stronger than manuals."rst95eclipse. not sure if this is true, did you mean pull harder or are tougher to break?

 

[rst95eclipse]

are tougher to break

They will break, please don't take it as me saying that they won't. But a non-built auto will outlast a non-built manual transmission.

 

[Locke]

With a full race shift kit on a TH400/TH350 transmission, it is no longer an "automatic", and must be shifted manually from low, up to drive. This is simply modifying the valve body. Many SBC guys do this at the track with otherwise stock transmissions, of course with the near instant shifts, shock sometimes overcomes them. This is a totally different transmission, though.

I beat the hell out of my 1g A/T and never had any issues with the transmission.

Don't you have a "power/economy" switch on your transmission? My 1g would go all the way to redline and shift pretty firmly when in "power". If the case is similar, I would not think you would need to do it manually.

If you want to control the shifts, consider swapping in a standard transmission.

 

[gob4sho89]

thanks, because i know that when driven well a manual is quicker on = cars than an auto.

 

[Locke]

drag cars like modified auto's. throttle never closes so you never lose boost, and it is next to impossible to outshift one. That said, vs. a stock transmission, standard would probably be quicker. My current car is standard. Love it, my 1g was auto. Boring.

 

[rst95eclipse]

There is a product (that shall remain nameless), which bypasses the TCU and allows you to shift your automatic tranny, that reverses the playing field between manuals and automatics. Consider the pros of an automatic: you'll never miss a shift, it will be easier on the drivetrain, and you'll have consistant times. Now add that you can control when to shift. I have seen mixed results. Some people absolutely love the product, while others blow their tranny and point the blame on the product.

 

[mini zilo]

I dont have a power/economy switch, i have a 2g... I only have overdrive... So is it best if I just put it in drive with overdrive off, then when i get into 3rd switch it on?

 

[rst95eclipse]

For launching or low speed pulls, turn off the overdrive. Once you reach a point in your pull where you think you should use the overdrive, use it.

 

[calreef18]

Leave o/d on, it won't make a difference on a launch, if you are going to stay under 60 you can have it off too but otherwise its best to keep it on since its basically 4th gear.

 

[rst95eclipse]

Please explain why you would leave it on at a launch but turn it off when under 60 mph.

 

[gob4sho89]

why not just leave it on, If your foot is all the way to the floor, overdrive wont have any effect untill the time you would normally turn it on, from what i have read. dont people sometimes turn off overdrive in like snow, ice conditions to use the engine to break, using the engine to break is the only reason i think 2 and L are there. pleas correct me if i am wrong. I think also the autos in dsm were for people who dont like to shift, or have no left leg(my neighbor). If you are so heart-set on shifting, get a manual. Just my 2cents

(havent driven an auto since my road test, after driving a manual, i will never go back )

 

[rst95eclipse]

You are wrong. When you turn off overdrive, there is a significant change. Your power band is changed by the TCU, which shortens shifts and allows you to rev much quicker. Many DSMers are now switching back to automatic transmissions, especially with drag applications. Manual trannies are fun, but I'd rather shift with paddles like a Ferrari/F1.