Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Driving an AT like a MT


Recommended Posts

What kind of dangers are associated with this trick? I've been trying out the technique of shifting from 2nd into 3rd once I hit 5000 or so, to get a little be more performance out of the engine. I let the transmission switch into 2nd for me, then shift into 3rd when I feel like like it.

 

Does this cause premature transmission wear? Are there other ways of using this to your advantage? How do I do I smoke the competition and tear away from a red light with this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What kind of dangers are associated with this trick? I've been trying out the technique of shifting from 2nd into 3rd once I hit 5000 or so, to get a little be more performance out of the engine. I let the transmission switch into 2nd for me, then shift into 3rd when I feel like like it.

 

Does this cause premature transmission wear? Are there other ways of using this to your advantage? How do I do I smoke the competition and tear away from a red light with this?

Many - but more to your tranny than to you. - I would be worried about ripping my torque converter to shreads, not to mention overheating.

 

Best way to smoke the competition - convert to stick. Autos are not designed/made for/ideal for dragging - notice most all cars have better 0-60 times if they are a manual, rather than an auto - even the same car.

 

BTW an auto tranny takes away 10-15 hp b/c of the inherent inefficentcies in it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What kind of dangers are associated with this trick? I've been trying out the technique of shifting from 2nd into 3rd once I hit 5000 or so, to get a little be more performance out of the engine. I let the transmission switch into 2nd for me, then shift into 3rd when I feel like like it.

 

Does this cause premature transmission wear? Are there other ways of using this to your advantage? How do I do I smoke the competition and tear away from a red light with this?

 

 

I do this too, and have wondered aboout wear as well.Gonna check my governer soon to see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When my vacuum modulator went out and I couldn't get a replacement for several days (one disadvantage to living in rural Alaska) but still had to drive the car, I just took out the actuator pin and plugged the vacuum line so that it would shift into whatever gear I put the shifter in.

 

Dunno if it messed up anything... I was pretty cautious about it and the tranny seemed fine afterward.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did it all day every day on a TH350 with manual valve body.... On an old Subaru 3AT? Wouldn't risk it unless I had a spare! :-p

 

I raced a '71 Chevy Vega GT with a BBC 468ci with 958fwhp. It had a TH400 behind it but it was built for racing. Had to shift it with the manual valvebodies in it but like Morgan said, I wouldn't risk it with a Subaru tranny unless I had a spare to throw in it. Even though I raced my mom's minivan a 'couple' times vs. Hondas and smoked them all day long:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...