kingd_202

iTrader: (7)

As this is my first automatic ls1 fbody, I was wondering what do your guys do when racing. Do I just leave it in D or downshift?

AronZ28

iTrader: (2)

Leave it in D unless you're going down a long steep grade, then maybe shift down to 3 so you don't have to ride the brakes. Honestly the automatics in these cars are so good that you don't need to fool around with shifting it yourself.

kingd_202

iTrader: (7)

Oh ok, any other imputs?

Zlow28

iTrader: (11)

I have mine in overdrive all the time. The only time i switch to "drive" is when im going down steep hills like mountaing ranges. Im not sure if thats what aaron meant cus mine doesnt have 3

P
R
N
Od
D
2
1

pretty sure ls1s are the same

kingd_202

iTrader: (7)

Yea thats for camaros, firebirds have

P
R
N
D
3
2
1

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

long discussion on this recently.


when mine was stock i noticed no difference in performance. from a roll in D your revs will be higher which should give you a little better pickup.

SiezeTheMoment

iTrader: (2)

I have tested many many times the answer to this question. A buddy and I roll raced a dozen times and dig raced even more to see which was better. I had an 01 Z28 and he had an 01 WS6 both bone stock. This was done with stock converters, if you have an aftermarket it will flash automatically in D so thats a different discussion.

I always had better results by puttin it in 1st to allow the rpm's to be at 3500 or 4000 so when I hit it, it was in its power band. Otherwise the one who was in D or OD when they hit it, it flased to the stock converter rate (2000?) or the rpm they were currently rolling at. In my opinion that slight difference was just enough to win in a very evenly matched race. All be it, it was only 1 to 1.5 cars lengths each time.

From a Dig the converter seems to flash to the same RPM whether in D or OD, and I saw no improvement by brake stalling it either. The stock converter will flash to the same RPM no matter what gear your have it in or how high you stall it.

Another great tip: after you hit it in first go ahead and shift it into D, dont wait and try to shift to 2nd at the rev limiter, more times than not you forget, or you mis judged. Let the computer shift for you after you take off. Just make sure not to put it up into R.

Again this is just my results, im sure everyone else has their opinion. Oh, and my tranny is still going strong after 4 years of spirited racing like this.

MUSTANGBRKR02

iTrader: (91)

Keep it in overdrive for regular driving and 3rd or drive for racing. Your PCM controls your shifting not you, the PCM must meet both RPM and MPH for it to shift.

Zlow28

iTrader: (11)

Really?? thanks i wouldve never known firebirds had a slightly different setup going on. Im assuming theyre the same performance wise right?

MUSTANGBRKR02

iTrader: (91)

Same thing just different lettering/numbering.

PBA

If you have any kind of horsepower, either manually shift it at the rpm you want, or leave it in "overdrive". The reason is that the overrun clutches in a stock 4L60E come on in the 2-3 shift when you leave the shifter in the "D" shifter position. When manually shifting it, the "overruns" are on in all three shifter positions. In "overdrive" the overrun setup is not on, thereby not robbing any 2-3 shift oil on the 2-3 shift. Sonnax has a valve the "fixes" this (has the overrun clutches on in all three manual shifter positions), but requires the valve body to be removed to install it. By using the "OD" shifter position, instead of "D", you will "extend" the 3-4 clutch pack life in stock form.

Jared Pool

i dont think it matters as it is all operated by pcm. i dont think at WOT the trans will shift into OD.

philsblwnz28

iTrader: (10)

If was roll racing, I like to go from around 55-62mph and I just slap it down in 2nd and let it rip, then put it right up in OD.

Racing at the track, I usually leave it in OD too.

SiezeTheMoment

iTrader: (2)

it all is, but you can control what rpm you launch at by making the initial shift.

dkbmxer002

iTrader: (5)

if you want to shift an auto get a manual valve body trans, if not keep it in drive and let it do what it was supposed to do.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

i seem to remember mine shifting into OD around 120 at WOT.


if you like shifting get a shift kit. preferably a trans go.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

All 3 of my ls1 camaros have shifted into OD at 130. But my first one a few years back I was on the highway and forgot to put it in OD. I was in D and as soon as 130 came up it started bouncing off the rev limiter. I ended up losing the gear and got the trans rebuilt. I made sure to never do that again lol