best way to race with an automatic?

[gwoodtitansz28]

what is the best way to drag race with an automatic transmission? i have a 96 z28. is it best to just floor it or let off to let it shift? im not experienced in racing

[ls1dave]

well first off, autos are optimal for drag racing as they are more consistent and shift faster than any of us can.

if you have a stock stall and shifter and no line lock, then put it in 3rd, turn off your traction control (if you have it) and power brake, revving it up to 2k. then just release the brake when you wanna go. if you are on stock tires then you might wanna feather it until your tires grab, then stab the gas. if you are on drag radials or slicks then you should be able to floor it at launch.

[SnyperBob]

Hit the gas and go! You do not let off for an auto to shift, that's just for a manual.

Race responsibly!

[gwoodtitansz28]

well first off, autos are optimal for drag racing as they are more consistent and shift faster than any of us can.

if you have a stock stall and shifter and no line lock, then put it in 3rd, turn off your traction control (if you have it) and power brake, revving it up to 2k. then just release the brake when you wanna go. if you are on stock tires then you might wanna feather it until your tires grab, then stab the gas. if you are on drag radials or slicks then you should be able to floor it at launch.

after i get going should i put it back into drive or just keep it in third?

[Z28pr0jekt]

keep it in 3rd, you dont want to put that much stress on the tranny by trying to make it pull in overdrive (which is what the 4th gear in the that tranny is)

[94ponform]

so is 4th gear overdrive on my a4 94 formula?

[Z28pr0jekt]

so is 4th gear overdrive on my a4 94 formula?
yes

[94ponform]

thanks, learn something new everyday

[lt1noob]

so we should put it in [3] instead of D...? damn i think ive been doing this wrong all along :O. what about the trans perform button doesn this do the same thing?

[Z28pr0jekt]

so we should put it in [3] instead of D...? damn i think ive been doing this wrong all along :O. what about the trans perform button doesn this do the same thing?

I know nothing about the perform button, I just know basics about the auto.. never owned an auto car myself

[travail]

R do's NOT mean race mode!!!!

[gwoodtitansz28]

i dont even think i have a 3 on my shifter. i have D in a square, regular D, 1, and 2 i think.

[94ponform]

The performance shift button firms up the shift, and shifts at a higher rpm. Besides that, i don't know of anything else it does. I don't see why you couldn't run your performance shift button on and be in 3. Correct me if i'm wrong

[SnyperBob]

You could always try to put it in neutral, rev up the engine and then drop it into drive. Let me know how that works. :) Usually results in 'smokey hole shots'

[Biggin'89]

i dont even think i have a 3 on my shifter. i have D in a square, regular D, 1, and 2 i think.

D is the same as 3 and the square is overdrive.


as far as the trans perf. button. it firms shift, i heard the camaros are always in trans perf mode which is why they don't have it. not sure why only the firebirds got it.

[94ponform]

I am pretty sure gm only installed the trans perf. button on 94-95 pontiacs.

[Biggin'89]

I am pretty sure gm only installed the trans perf. button on 94-95 pontiacs.

i knew it was only on the pontiacs, but its nothing special over the camaro b/c it is on full time.... or something like that i dunno, i'll stick with my m6

[Toronto_LT1]

:devil: i like my stalled auto.

[Brandon]

keep it in 3rd, you dont want to put that much stress on the tranny by trying to make it pull in overdrive (which is what the 4th gear in the that tranny is)I don't think it would really make a difference if you put it in drive or overdrive. 3rd gear will take you up to 130mph so you will never be hitting overdrive anyway.

[Brandon]

D is the same as 3 and the square is overdrive.


as far as the trans perf. button. it firms shift, i heard the camaros are always in trans perf mode which is why they don't have it. not sure why only the firebirds got it.camaros are actually not always in performance mode. if you want to make a performance mode switch for your camaro, there is a write up on shbox.com

[Biggin'89]

hmm i thought they were. o well ya learn something new everyday.

[KissMyWhtSS]

so we should put it in [3] instead of D...? damn i think ive been doing this wrong all along :O. what about the trans perform button doesn this do the same thing?
it will just keep it from going in OD which you shouldn't need to hit on a mostly stock car in the quarter mile anyway

[dk1989]

Why not put it in OD for a dig? Thats what I do. Mine puts it in 1rst gear until 60 then it shifts. Mines an A3 tho.

[joelster]

You can put it in OD when you drag race your car.

Your car will NEVER shift into overdrive as long as your foot is to the floor.

[remaxracer45]

i have one on my 94 Z28 as well

[97ForMuLa]

at the track, i got consistant 2.1 60 fts which is decent for small mods i have. I usually just put it in 3rd, foot brake and give it as much gas as possible without the tires burning out (only 1200-1300 rpms) then just push gas down all the way while letting off the brake. Just make sure you get the car to preload, and avoid doing a huge burnout.

[Fire67]

You can put it in OD when you drag race your car.

Your car will NEVER shift into overdrive as long as your foot is to the floor.

I've personally been all the way to the rev limiter in 4th gear WOT style :cool:

But you are right, you wont go into 4th (OD) on a dragstrip...

[KissMyWhtSS]

Oh and to answer the thread title.

First one to destroy the auto and swap in a 6 speed wins. :devil:

[TCGiRL220]

here's what I do...
enter the burnout box in drive
do a burnout until I see some smoke
reset the transmission by shifting it into neutral before I stage
put it back into drive (of course)
bring it up to 1200-1300rpm
and stomp on it as soon as you see that 3rd bulb
let the tranny take care of the rest

thats been my routine for almost two years and seems to work pretty consistently for me :)

[YZF]

What the hell is this automatic you speak of? Some sort of slushbox?

[97ForMuLa]

here's what I do...
enter the burnout box in drive
do a burnout until I see some smoke
reset the transmission by shifting it into neutral before I stage
put it back into drive (of course)
bring it up to 1200-1300rpm
and stomp on it as soon as you see that 3rd bulb
let the tranny take care of the rest

thats been my routine for almost two years and seems to work pretty consistently for me :)
Listen to her.

[Pauly Walnuts]

HUH, I shift into OD while spraying.