WhosYourDaddy

I was just recently told not to shift into OD until 50+ mph. I'm sure this is true, but who here firmly believes this to be important to the life of the tranny?

Thanks,
Kevin

Red 01SS

iTrader: (2)

I always leave it in OD

Scotty-Z

iTrader: (5)

Same here, mainly even when I'm racing on the streets too.

blue2000Z28

Yep me 3. I only put it in D when i want a little more RPM to get the LM in to its LOUD spot. Other than that, i wouldnt down shift at all. Help me out Scotty-Z but i believe that OD is better when racing. I thought you always got the down shift??

Kenafin_02TA

When I had the stock converter I always left the car in OD. Now that I have an aftermarket stall..I leave it in D until I'm over 50 mph. I'm doing this because if I'm driving around town..the conveter will lock in 3rd gear and save me gas and tranny temp..whereas if the shifter was in OD, she might be in 4th and not lockup. Once I hit the highway, I'll shift her into OD and let the converter lock in 4th. I'm only doing it partially for tranny life --- to keep the tranny temp down...but to also save on gas some...

sfwalters

-I have always driven in 3rd until 40-50MPH and then I shift into OD. I heard years ago it was best for tranny that way, eventhough I don't know if that is truth or just another myth but with these tranny's I will do whatever to try to extend it's life.

GM Muscle

iTrader: (9)

I remember alot of people used to say to shift in OD after 50mph with the 700R4s. Many say OD will build alot more heat at slower speeds but I have never seen much of a major flucution in temp between D and OD. The only time the tranny runs on the hotter side is when you hold a gear at like 3,000+ rpm, like when cruising down the highway in 3rd. Or of course stop and go traffic or stalling the converter up.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

When I had 2.73s I used to leave it in third all the time until I hit 60-65 mph - there was just too much engine bog in OD. Now with 3.42s, I'm in OD almost all the time. I had the tranny tuned to up lock-up about 5mph higher to avoid bogging. I also eliminated 3rd gear lock-up so have flexibility in on/off throttle situations in low-speed traffic without constantly locking/unlocking. I manually shift to third and enjoy good driveability and responsiveness in those situations.

God Forgives I Dont

You know I wondered the same thing a time or two.

To me the Trans in my 99TA is good at up and down shifting is pretty good about shifting agresivly (predator helped) so I leave it OD. Unless of course I want it really loud with out breaking any speed limits.

Scotty-Z

iTrader: (5)

To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure. I think I've heard something about that before though....



So if you have an aftermarket stall, is it best to drive around in D (3rd) until your converter locks up, then shift into OD?

sleeperstyle

iTrader: (4)

i was leaving it in OD, but i had my points adjusted via hptuners, so (with my 2.73's) 4th gear would not engage till whenever i wanted (60mph).

tuning will alleviate ever having to touch the auto shifter. i had 1st gear until 20mph so i could roll out of a light- then nail it (like, say, if my tires were not heated and i had to launch softly)

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

I have my OD set to come in at 40 and lock at 45, and
usually just leave it there. But if I anticipate the need
for sudden acceleration at lower speeds I put it in D,
I have it programmed to not lockin 3rd ever. The trans has
to go through unlock before downshift (unless you have
lock-through-shifts set, which I wouldn't recommend) so
your 4-3 kickdown from locked is slow.

Manual shifting on these transmissions is pointless and a
sign of bad shiftpoint programming. Well done, there is no
need or advantage.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

i leave mine in OD when its cold until normal operating temp. and with 3.73s ill put in in OD around 40-45 to keep the revs down unless im racing.

Crazy Man

iTrader: (6)

At about 150mph

SmokingWS6

iTrader: (1)

I leave mine in OD all the time. I have everything taken care of with tuning so mine won't shift into OD below 30, and not before 40 while acclerating. Only time I use 3rd is when I want a low mph lockup speed, driving through neighborhoods at night ect or other general messing around cruising and making noise.

LS1_PNYTAMR

iTrader: (1)

i really dont think it matters.. a buddy leaves his in 3rd around town his trans was rebuilt using the same stuff as mine by a trans shop... hes been thru 3 trans in 6 months... i rebuilt mine myself with no experience and its strong after 8 months left in OD.. im not really worried about heat, i have a trans cooler and a deep pan, what else can you do?