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Learning the 4l60e, auto and manual?

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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 09:18 PM
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Default Learning the 4l60e, auto and manual?

So I was finally bored enough tonight that on my way home I decided to mess around with my car a bit, get a feel for what "1" "2" and "D" could do when manually shifting them. I noticed that from a 20MPH launch in "1" the car launches MUCH harder, there's no slight hesitation, everything is instant! The shift to "2" took about 1 second or so, a bit slow, but the car felt a lot different manually shifting it like that. And then when downshifting it, or just driving in "1" and then letting off, the car felt a lot more like a manual, didn't know I could get almost the same feeling, even sounds like one too.

So my question is, what are the benefits of manually shifting the auto? How can I and how should I be doing it? Lastly, are there any negatives about doing this? will it hurt the tranny? Thanks in advance.
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 10:31 PM
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
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It will generate more heat but other then that if the trans is healthy it should be fine. When going WOT from a roll, typically the 30-60 range, I will manually pull down into 2. This lets the clutches engage before the application of power. Then after going WOT, I click up to D. This will let the computer take over for the 2>3 shift. Letting the clutches engage before the hit prolongs their life IMO.
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 10:33 PM
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Will the car be faster by doing this? Or does it just make it more fun?
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 12:11 AM
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Its not really about being more fun, its about saving the life of a used transmission. But often giving the clutches a chance to bite makes the pull harder (feels like it) vs. making the trans auto down-shift under power.
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
It will generate more heat but other then that if the trans is healthy it should be fine. When going WOT from a roll, typically the 30-60 range, I will manually pull down into 2. This lets the clutches engage before the application of power. Then after going WOT, I click up to D. This will let the computer take over for the 2>3 shift. Letting the clutches engage before the hit prolongs their life IMO.
This is what I do too

Op doing this just eliminates that lag kick down when you punch it going 55....

Last edited by Kingc8r; Sep 17, 2011 at 10:21 AM.
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 03:51 AM
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So when your at a 50 roll just keep your foot on the gas and drop it down to second... Then throw it through 3 to D once you hit wot? Is that what I'm getting from this and this will reduce the high rev before the clutch engages?
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 03:55 AM
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no 50 roll let off the gas....coast while downshifting to 2nd.....then once engaged in 2nd then get back to 50 mph and floor it, a second after flooring it or anytime before where your shift point is set, shift it into D. This will allow the puter to take over shifting into 3rd at whatever the computer is set to shift at going into 3rd at wot.
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 04:34 AM
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Ok cool thanks
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 08:21 AM
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
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Originally Posted by Fbodyjunkie06
no 50 roll let off the gas....coast while downshifting to 2nd.....then once engaged in 2nd then get back to 50 mph and floor it, a second after flooring it or anytime before where your shift point is set, shift it into D. This will allow the puter to take over shifting into 3rd at whatever the computer is set to shift at going into 3rd at wot.
This.....as you do it more you will get a good feel for it. Don't be surprised if the pull is a little harder then you're used to. I could really tell a difference the first time I did it.
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 12:06 PM
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Yea it definitely feels better. Make sure you shift in into d3 or OD right away or sometimes you'll hit the linter if you shift too close to redline
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 12:27 PM
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So since I get the feeling the car is pulling a lot harder, does this make the car faster? Does it nearly put it in manual territory?
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 01:26 PM
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you still get the horsepower loss through the auto
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by PGUFF
you still get the horsepower loss through the auto
This. Just eliminates some of the lag when you give the computer total control
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Kingc8r
This. Just eliminates some of the lag when you give the computer total control
Ahh, I really like your quote at the bottom which is why I like my Camaro Z28 so much. Although I do want to give it the SS spoiler and SS hood, and maybe even the SS wheels, I still want to keep the Z28 badge. Because you have the Chevelle SS, Camaro SS, Malibus SS, Trailblazer SS, the list goes on...but there are no other cars that have the Z28 badge.
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 05:48 PM
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I'll say that when you have it in let's say 2nd gear and you punch it, the car feels like it's a little more responsive. But, other than that, I don't see a point to it or how you could benefit from it when you're actually racing. The car doesn't even shift right when you want it to either which is very annoying.
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 12:38 AM
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
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Originally Posted by TransAmWS.6
I'll say that when you have it in let's say 2nd gear and you punch it, the car feels like it's a little more responsive. But, other than that, I don't see a point to it or how you could benefit from it when you're actually racing. The car doesn't even shift right when you want it to either which is very annoying.
It will not shift to 3rd at the moment you select D. If you wait till it is time to shift to select D, you will likely hit the rev limiter. I learned that the hard way when i first got my car. It is a delayed response. After going WOT, you immediately select D and the car will return to full auto mode and it will stay in 2nd then shift according to the tune. The benefit is clutch life and no lag time on take off. You cannot manually shift a stock 4l60e better then the computer can, and if that's what you are trying to do then I understand your frustration.
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
It will not shift to 3rd at the moment you select D. If you wait till it is time to shift to select D, you will likely hit the rev limiter. I learned that the hard way when i first got my car. It is a delayed response. After going WOT, you immediately select D and the car will return to full auto mode and it will stay in 2nd then shift according to the tune. The benefit is clutch life and no lag time on take off. You cannot manually shift a stock 4l60e better then the computer can, and if that's what you are trying to do then I understand your frustration.
Yeah, that's pretty much what I was getting at there. But I guess if you do it the proper way like you explained, I could see it making a slight difference.
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 01:52 PM
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So it's safe to downshift into second going around 55 mph? Is that with stock gears though? What about in a car with a 3600 stall and 3.73 gears?
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Krazedkuniva
So it's safe to downshift into second going around 55 mph? Is that with stock gears though? What about in a car with a 3600 stall and 3.73 gears?
I have a 3600 stall and 3.73 and have shifted into second around 50. I cant remember what the rpms were (havent drove the car in 4 months) probably around 4K if I remember correctly.
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 04:15 PM
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
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Originally Posted by Krazedkuniva
So it's safe to downshift into second going around 55 mph? Is that with stock gears though? What about in a car with a 3600 stall and 3.73 gears?
I can with 3.73s, but try not to at that high.....I like to go in about 35-45.
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