Hey guys, ok i know some people just automaticly bash on peeps who drive automatics and manual-matics over 5 speed...however i do love my manual-matic (livng in seattle with lovly bumper to bumper every day!)so im not looking for a good ol, ownage for me choosing a manual-matic just some help and opinions would do ....so with that said lets get to the problem:

For the most part, I am pretty satisfied with how this type of transmission works. i do get alot of cotnrol on cornering and can shift pretty fluidly....However there are some quarks that I wish could be fix, so that I could get even more of 5 speed feeling out of the transmission.

One of the biggest problems I have is the rate at which RPMs climb in 1st and 2nd gear compared to that of a 5 speed. With my transmission these shifts seem to climb much slower then I would expect them to (mainly being a problem form 1,000 rpms to about 4,000RPM in 1st gear and 1,000 RPMs to 3000 rpms in 2nd) Form my understanding this is mainly because of the much larger gear ratios of an automatic and the dreaded torque converter. (I beleive the stock torque conveter just has really high stall speeds making the rpms climb slow.....i think thats how it works anyway)

So my 1st question to you guys/gals, I guess would be, would a performance torque converter fix the majority of this problem? I don’t think there is away to get better gear ratios with an automatic, but if there is how can I do this or what can I buy to fix these? Also if i got a perfomance torque converter, would i indeed beable to have a faster rate of RPM climbs....seeing that the stall speed of the new converter would be drastically smaller? (or does this even matter)

My second problem with the manual-matic transmission is its lack of ability to engine-stop or engine braking. NowI know because of the gear ratios this issue might not beable to be fixed, however i have seen kits that can be installed that make regualr automatics able to engine break like a 5 sp(just not sure if they work for manual-matics) I ahve tried to contact levelten for i have heard they are the automatic transmission pros, however...no dice....i guess they might know their stuff but have realyl bad computer skillz ...*cough* dont know how to email a costomer back *cough* lol

anyhow, I love my car and transmission and it would be a pain in the butt to trade It back in for a traditional 5 speed (I also live in Seattle with the joy of bumper to bumper traffic everyday ) So if there is anything I can do to increase performance of these types of transmissions and gain more out of my car it would be highly noted and appreciated.

Thanks guys


-Jeff

 

typical automatic transmissions (modern) aren't as easy to modify because of the electronics. Here's what you NEED, but note that none of these things are available..

better matched torque convertor (for power)

higher fluid pressure inside the case

alternate gears



now you could possibly help out SLIGHTLY by adding a small fluid cooler, synthetic fluid and proper service intervals. Your best bet is to hound aftermarket companies like LevelTen and Lentech. Show them there is enough interest in it and you may just be a path burner for other auto's.