manually shifting an automatic

jpogioli · 11-18-2008, 04:20 PM

I know I will probably get flamed for asking this, but is it bad to manually shift my automatic transmission. I have done nothing with shift kits or anything like that. Does anyone do this? I have done some general research on-line and there is about a 50/50 split between "it will destroy your transmission" and "it is not bad at all." Thank you.

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sleeper_inc · 11-18-2008, 06:36 PM

I did it on my A4LD.... It then proceeded to spill it's guts.

It's fine to do if your not beating on it (shifting at 3500+ RPM)

killer91 · 11-19-2008, 12:06 AM

if its stock probably not the best idea my freinds super coupes tranny blew after he did that a couple of times but after he had it completly redone it was fine (full throttle shiftin at 5500....)

FoxGT · 11-20-2008, 08:16 PM

I can't speak for the a4ld, I have never taken one apart nor know anything about them internally. The Aod is the same way as far as half of the people say it will kill it, half say it wont.
With the aod, the big problem is when the overdrive band is engaged. You DON'T want the band to engage during a shift. It'll cause it to wear out very fast & damage the transmission. It's ok for it to engage either before or after a shift, not during.

The problem with it is most people shift it wrong. What they call the 1-D-1 shift which is used to shift to 2nd & make it hold 2nd until you manually put it back into D. Most people shift from 1 to D then very quickly back down to 1 again which causes the OD band to engage during the shift. The correct way is to accelerate in 1st, when you want to shift to 2nd you move it to D then wait for it to get into 2nd. After it has completed the shift you move the shifter back down into 1.

Again, i'm not sure if ford built the a4ld the same way or not. It's something worth looking into. Shift kits & manual valve bodies are easy to install imo.

JayRolla · 11-21-2008, 12:20 AM

Whats the actual difference. Why would it cause more load on the tranny unless your revving too high, which the rev limiter should stop you from doing anyways. My buddy did it all the time in his Z28 3rd gen camaro.

sleeper_inc · 11-21-2008, 08:45 AM

Transmission isn't meant to be shifted hard at a high RPM, plus the A4LD isn't known for it's strength.

The more load on the trans = more heat, which means less life, which means huge rebuild costs

TRBOPWR · 11-21-2008, 02:37 PM

Why would you want to shift an auto yourself? Sounds like just the possibility of more wear for very little to no gain.

FoxGT · 11-23-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRBOPWR

Why would you want to shift an auto yourself? Sounds like just the possibility of more wear for very little to no gain.

Can't speak for the a4ld. The purpose on the aod was to hold the gear longer, without manually shifting it would shift as it's starting to get into the powerband.

On mine I had to because I had a manual valve body & not doing so would cause lots of heat because of the stall. Then I swapped to T5 due to lack of overdrive on the c4.

jpogioli · 11-26-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRBOPWR

Why would you want to shift an auto yourself? Sounds like just the possibility of more wear for very little to no gain.

pretty much just for poops and giggles. i really enjoy driving standard but due to the wife not being able to drive one, both cars are automatic.... hopefully that will change in the near future though

Stang2.3 · 12-09-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpogioli

...i really enjoy driving standard but due to the wife not being able to drive one, both cars are automatic...

Just do what i did. Teach her, or have Your Car and Her Car.
After i taught my wife, She Loves Drivin Standard, and her Truck is Standard