Fun handling with a slush box? Stuck with a Torqueflight..

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?

No impediment at all, go have fun with it.

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.

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).

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.

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!

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.

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

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).

Go tell Ronnie that.

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.

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!

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!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=norcal-fjo

Awesome guys, I shall take a look