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Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. #2350609
08/08/17 11:42 AM
08/08/17 11:42 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 111
Connecticut, USA
MRGTX Offline OP
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MRGTX  Offline OP
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Connecticut, USA
I'm just curious as to what you guys think...can you make a good handling and FUN back roads car while running an automatic transmission?

I'm planning changes to my Dart Sport with the interest of making it a fun (and as capable as possible) back roads machine but for now, a transmission conversion is out of my budget/skill set so my Dart will have to remain a column-shifted 904 car.

A few years back, I had the 904 transmission built with heavier bands/clutches and a shift kit...shifts are crisp but it's just not a sports car transmission...obviously.

Does anyone else have an automatic corner carver? How do you drive it? do you think it's a significant impediment to enjoying your car?

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2350638
08/08/17 12:23 PM
08/08/17 12:23 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
amxautox  Offline
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On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
No impediment at all, go have fun with it.


Tom

"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

-Henry David Thoreau

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

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Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2350776
08/08/17 03:45 PM
08/08/17 03:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline
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Granite Bay CA
Sure..I love the automatic in my Charger. Some feel that a manual is the best for road racing or curvy roads but I have never been much of a fan of manual cars even though I am decent driving them.

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2350799
08/08/17 04:18 PM
08/08/17 04:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
pro stock
Mopar Mitch  Offline
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NW Chicago suburban area
Just make sure the automatic trans has manual override (shift kit, yet still fully automatic when in drive). You'd probably use 2nd gear the majority of the time for brisk driving through winding roads, pending the mph speeds. My 727 is a great (Transgo shift kit, BM holeshot ~2400 stall)... bullet proof! Even when I drive on local streets/suburbs, etc, I use 2nd gear (1st/2nd) most of the time; 3rd gear for the steady upper mph (~35-45-55 up).


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2351215
08/09/17 10:26 AM
08/09/17 10:26 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 111
Connecticut, USA
MRGTX Offline OP
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MRGTX  Offline OP
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Connecticut, USA
Well, this is good to hear, guys. Thanks.

When I look at the fun I've had in carving up curves, working the transmission has always been half the fun. I guess it's a matter of expectations. smile

Do any of you guys autocross with automatics? Is it ok to just leave it in 2nd and wail on it?

I just saw a vendor who sells a Tremec T6060 conversion kit for ~$8000...this would triple the value of my Dart! laugh

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2351368
08/09/17 03:21 PM
08/09/17 03:21 PM
Joined: May 2003
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On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
amxautox  Offline
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On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
Many times with my '98 SS/T. Yup, stick it in 2nd and leave it there, unless you are on a longer/higher speed course.

Tom's  truck -  National Tour '98.jpg

Tom

"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

-Henry David Thoreau

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

author unknown

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2351388
08/09/17 03:54 PM
08/09/17 03:54 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,645
Phila. Pa.
Mattax Offline
top fuel
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Phila. Pa.
It depends a bit on exactly what you are planning to do.
Is it going to be autocross, high speed track events, more like rally?

For autocross, definately fine with an auto. In fact, the less you mess with shifting the better. Its non-stop motion for your hands, eyes and brain already. Every shift is time lost.

For track events, the auto will lose something at the very top.
(Assuming reasonably long straights and gearing to be pushing 120+)

For rally type adventures it probably is more fun with a manual but I enjoy the back roads and unpaved sections quite a bit even with the automatic.

Some older threads on the topic:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2220311

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2196109

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1654032

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2351397
08/09/17 04:05 PM
08/09/17 04:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
pro stock
Mopar Mitch  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
As MattAX has stated, shifting gears during a pylon AX only slows times down.. and disrupts the flow of the race course. Regardless manual or automatic, shifting slows down the times... and the automatic is always faster to shift... again, just add a shift kit (TransGo, other).


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: Mopar Mitch] #2351409
08/09/17 04:23 PM
08/09/17 04:23 PM
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Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
About to go away
Supercuda  Offline
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up yours
Originally Posted By Mopar Mitch

and the automatic is always faster to shift...


Go tell Ronnie that.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2351939
08/10/17 04:04 PM
08/10/17 04:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
pro stock
Mopar Mitch  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Occasional downshifting also required... as well as turning the steering wheel l-r-l-r.. and braking, accelerating... etc Concentrate on driving the car... not shifting.


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2386316
10/12/17 02:59 PM
10/12/17 02:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403
Colorado front range
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BcudaChris Offline
mopar
BcudaChris  Offline
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Posts: 403
Colorado front range
Hey guys, resurrecting this thread.

I'm having a lockup A999 built for my effort. Briefly, I'm setting up my 73 Barracuda as a "jack of all trades" with Power Tour (and One Lap if I can make that happen) in mind, as well as autox and track days and lots of street time. LA408, A999, 8.75 w/3.55 (may go to 3.23), 26.5" tires. I anticipate a shade under #3500 when it comes off the stands. I want the lockup for highway cruising RPM drop and reduced fluid temps(gear vendors will happen down the road as well). I want to automate the lockup with the vac/oil pressure switch method.

Anyway, I've never done OT or Autox with anything but a 5spd. My trans guy (noted Torqueflite specialist in my area) who primarily sets up beefy drag race slush boxes posits that an FM VP would be better for my purposes, particularly OT. Unfortunately, an FM VB will not use the governor circuit so I have to operate the lockup with a toggle switch, which I'd prefer not to do. I'm still coming to grips with the fact that the older I get the weaker my lifelong "stick shift or die" outlook on life becomes.

As Mitch has pointed out, 2nd is the bomb for autox and zipping around back roads. Having D also lets you focus on driving for OT efforts.

I'd like the thoughts of Brain Trust on tracking with a FM valve body v. keeping the "D" in my shift window.

Some questions I have, are there reliability issues that arise when manually grabbing 2nd for corner exit and bumping to D in certain situations when carrying speed or when manually shifting in the 1320? Are there any internal trans tuning tricks to delay upshifts until nearing redline at WOT? Are there other considerations I don't have the experience to take into account?

Let us discuss!

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: BcudaChris] #2408550
11/25/17 03:29 AM
11/25/17 03:29 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 37
Sacramento
norcal-fjo Offline
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norcal-fjo  Offline
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Sacramento
I run a TF in both autoX and open track. I like it best for autoX, but works fine on open track also. Watch my videos for downshifting to first on tight turns at Thunderhill West. I am running 3.23, and run first gear most autoX courses, and 1-2 at Thunderhill. Two feet, two pedals= just right. Search norcal-fjo on you-tube. Have fun!

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: norcal-fjo] #2408560
11/25/17 04:27 AM
11/25/17 04:27 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
amxautox  Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...


Tom

"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

-Henry David Thoreau

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

author unknown

Re: Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight.. [Re: MRGTX] #2409742
11/27/17 07:29 PM
11/27/17 07:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403
Colorado front range
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BcudaChris Offline
mopar
BcudaChris  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403
Colorado front range
Awesome guys, I shall take a look







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