[hrdlydangerous]

So I got my '94 TA up and running and decided to take it to a local auto cross to get some seat time. The car happens to have a 4L60E automatic trans. I never autocrossed with an automatic before but figured it wouldn't be a big deal. There is one less pedal after all. Boy was I wrong. First of all the shifter only goes down to "2" on this car. There's no option to lock it into first gear which would have been ideal because it was a small course. Secondly, by leaving it in any of the other gear settings it has a nasty habit of downshifting into first about half way through my corner exit and making me go into massive oversteer. I figured it would have stayed in the gear I selected ie 2nd.

My question is this: What can I do to either lock the car into a gear or be able to shift into first on demand with the shifter to add predictability? Any advice would be appreciated.

Matt

[Racing Geek]

The Dodge truck I was autocrossing my first year was notorious for this. I solved that problem by buying my Camaro. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The more time I spend autocrossing my car (with a 700r4) the more I have that same problem. I start the run in first and shift into second the first time I feel it needs to and then just leave it in second for the rest of the run and it sometimes will drop down into first during corner exit. With my car I can go into first gear but because the Miller Park parking lots are so big the courses are often big enough that second gear is required. If I remember right, there was a car last year that even went to third gear on all his runs one event.

Any tips or tricks for me since I have a different trans?

[1meanZ]

The Dodge truck I was autocrossing my first year was notorious for this. I solved that problem by buying my Camaro. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The more time I spend autocrossing my car (with a 700r4) the more I have that same problem. I start the run in first and shift into second the first time I feel it needs to and then just leave it in second for the rest of the run and it sometimes will drop down into first during corner exit. With my car I can go into first gear but because the Miller Park parking lots are so big the courses are often big enough that second gear is required. If I remember right, there was a car last year that even went to third gear on all his runs one event.

Any tips or tricks for me since I have a different trans?

Mike, for your car lots of C4 guys will adjust the TV cable way out so the trans doesn't know that you're hard on the throttle, then it won't kick down to first. Make sure you adjust it back for street driving though. I'm not a very big fan of this option because the TV (throttle valve) is the only way the trans knows what the engine is doing. If I understand correctly, it also raises and lowers line pressure and such. Needless to say, hard abuse and low line pressure are not a good combo for an automatic.

The only good solution for you guys that I know of is to get the automatic built for full manual control or put a manual trans in the car.

[trackbird]

The Dodge truck I was autocrossing my first year was notorious for this. I solved that problem by buying my Camaro. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The more time I spend autocrossing my car (with a 700r4) the more I have that same problem. I start the run in first and shift into second the first time I feel it needs to and then just leave it in second for the rest of the run and it sometimes will drop down into first during corner exit. With my car I can go into first gear but because the Miller Park parking lots are so big the courses are often big enough that second gear is required. If I remember right, there was a car last year that even went to third gear on all his runs one event.

Any tips or tricks for me since I have a different trans?

Mike, for your car lots of C4 guys will adjust the TV cable way out so the trans doesn't know that you're hard on the throttle, then it won't kick down to first. Make sure you adjust it back for street driving though. I'm not a very big fan of this option because the TV (throttle valve) is the only way the trans knows what the engine is doing. If I understand correctly, it also raises and lowers line pressure and such. Needless to say, hard abuse and low line pressure are not a good combo for an automatic.

The only good solution for you guys that I know of is to get the automatic built for full manual control or put a manual trans in the car.

This will usually result in trans failure in even less time than the usual rate of failure for these transmissions. In other words, this is a VERY bad idea.

[1meanZ]

This will usually result in trans failure in even less time than the usual rate of failure for these transmissions. In other words, this is a VERY bad idea.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I know but the local C4 guys here swear by it. They listen to one guy (he is one of the fastest) and that is what he does on this vette. I told him he was damaging his transmission but I don't think he believes me.