Racing with an automatic definately sucks but I would like to at least improve my launch by starting off at the 1st gear. After reading the previous post that this will not damage my tranny, I've decided to start doing this. However, I would like to know whether I need to lift my foot off the accelerator before shifting or whether I can just leave my foot on and then shift.

 

Look Man NO. NO. NO.
Who ever told you that manualy shifting in an auto will not hert your trans "Don't know Cars At All." Your Trans is going to start slipping Expecially if you are racing it. This is a bad idea? Get a 5-speed MAX!

 

BRAKE TORQUE!!!

 

You dont need to lift off the throttle before upshifting, kinda defeats the purpose. If you leave it in gear too long this is where that little black box takes over and cuts your fuel. If you have never bump the rev limiter, try and do it intentionally so you can get use to exactly were it cuts and you can up-shift before that point. Then again if it's bad to manually up-shift you auto you'll probally wont do this, who knows?

 

Which technique would you rather use on an auto for racing purposes? Brake torquing or manually shifting. I refuse to do both at the same time because that's just putting too much on my transmission. Also, which technique is safer for the transmission?

 

I doubt that the auto VB is designed to take the quick shifts of manual shifting, I could see maanual shifting being used in regular driving, but not safely in racing. also DON'T TORQUE BRAKE!!!!! your transmission is as good as dead, unless you can do the split second method, which takes practice, don't do it unless you've got $1.5-2k saved away for a rebuild!! my suggestion is get the tranny valve body recalibrated by Don or Level Ten, they boats .5 seconds of the stock times, so that would pretty much put you in contention with the 5spd model of your Max! VB recal, PERFORMANCE tranny rebuilds and high stall TC's are the only way to getting auto Max's to a quick and SAFE launch, IMO!!

 

Doesn anyone know how much those tranny upgrades run?...level ten and stuff?

 

A high stall TC set to about 3000rpms(if I can remember correctly) form Protorque is $400, Level Ten stage II transmission rebuild is about $2500 or so(I think) and a stage III rebuild(good up to 600hp) is $4000. Level 10 VB recalibration is $700 and DonInTexas's(Max.org callname) recal is $450(if avaiable), remeber with the TC you need a tranny cooler and they suggets DOT drag radials to deal with the new torque and obtain the best launches! If only I had some cash........

 

protorque sounds good.....is it street drivable and good for the buck?

 

they quoted me for the streetable version and it was $400. besides Protorque, the best person to talk to is <b>Nismo87(nismo87@swbell.net</b>), he had it on his 2nd gen Max, but I don't know how far he drove on it until his engine died(unrelated to the TC though). IMO, besides nitrous, and shelling out for a total performance tranny rebuild, the high stall TC is your next best bet since it'll give you that kick to get people off the line! although you have to deal with tranny removal/install prices, unless you're a REALLY handy DIY kinda person.

 

hrmm.....new hope for my car now!