HoustonMax96

Two nights ago at about midnight I was driving home from a friends house goin down the beltway. I saw this sweet looking prelude with 17 inch alloy wheels, lumino-glo gauges, and a mod muffler. Not sure what exactly he had as it was pretty dark out, but it was obvious that he modified his car. Well anyways, he pulled up next to me, I turned over, was admiring his ride and all of a sudden he started to rev up. I just got this car about 3 weeks ago and have never raced in my life. But I had just gotten laid, was feelin pretty good so I decided to go for it. I have a stock 96 automatic. We took off on green and I took the lead from the get-go, at the best I was ahead by about 1-1.5 car lengths, towards the end were were about half a car length apart, we went up to about 110.

To say the least it was incredibly exhilirating! It was my first race and the first time I got over 100 in it, the speed limit there was only 50. The guy was a good sport about it, we did it 1 more time after that and then he pulled away. The overdrive really helps, but I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I just know that I'll be doin it again, its one helluva experience.

HoustonMax96

Do you guys have any tips for racing with an Automatic?

clee130

1) Place right foot on gas pedal.

2) Step down. Speed will increase.

3) Press down further to increase speed.

4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 if necessary.

5) Have a nice day.

HoustonMax96

Hmm, I still unclear about the 3rd step, would it be possible for you to draw a diagram?

nismomaxse97

iTrader: (4)

Welcome to maxima.org I live on the northside.

The only trick or not really a trick is I will often place the shifter into 2nd. Right before you reach redline you should be around 80 mph then let of the gas with O/D off and shift into Drive. If I ever race I usually do not go above 80 anyways so I do not miss the manual too much.

SWEETSOUND2001

iTrader: (30)

hahaha you guys are funny.

orsooner1

the first time i raced i had a guy in the passenger seat and i put him into the back of the seat. The acceleration is unbelieveable. Sweet...

Maxima97GLE

Power shifting is said to be bad but I havent had a problem yet after 15,000 miles. My tranny is still kickin great. Downshift to first gear... light turns grean or flag is droppped start appying pressure gradually but quickly to get quik acceleration but not burn out (IOW dont just punch the gas on first)... when u hit like 5000 rpms bring the shifter up to second but dont take ur foot off the gas... when u hit 5000 on 2nd, bring it up to drive w/overdrive off. Thats my advice on racing automatic. Also on the ave where we race in NY we get a lot of cheaters who like rolling starts at like 20 mph (like those hondas and sentra SE-R's and lil toys like that) when encountering a cheater like that, if ur at 20 down shift to second then first and keep it there... ur rpm's will bw high but not redlining... if ur redlining u gotta start at 2nd or slow down a lil more... 4000rpm in first is good... when the lil honda cheater hits it - PUNCH IT - but be ready to shift up to second quik... ur car will fly real quik. My GLE has what I call a luxury boost which mean if u punch it in drive the car will not just fly off... it'll accelerated a lil and then boom its off, but that lil hesitation matters so if ur serious about the race take the powershifting method. Hope this helps with ur new racing adrenaline rushes.

SWEETSOUND2001

iTrader: (30)

and don't forget to turn the overdrive off

Cumalot

iTrader: (8)

Manually shifting does help, but you know it's not really good for your car. I would just get a valve body upgrade from Don. I'm planning to get that very soon. This way, you can leave it in D(with overdrive off maybe), and just floor it. With the VB mod, your car will shift hard in every gear that what I'm told.

BriGuyMax

iTrader: (1)

Guys, what is it with the AUTO trannys and turning O/D off for racing off the line. All that the O/D button does is open up or close out 4th gear. 4th gear doesn't even matter below 60 or 70 mph, so what's with it??? It's not like it changes your ECU or when your tranny shifts from 1-2 or 2-3....or even how hard it shifts. I just don't get it!

Please explain

nismomaxse97

iTrader: (4)

The whole point is to keep your tranny out of 4th gear. and expand the powerband across three gears instead of four.
At full throttle it will not venture into 4th for a little bit but what if your cruising at freeway speeds and want to take off quick well then it is best to be in 3rd. If you are sporting around or racing it is best to lock out the high gear.

OUT

Sonic

It's like a turbo boost button. Seriously, to me it makes no difference, but that may just be because my tranny computer knows how I drive and shifts at the right point. If people feel like it works, more power to them. If you feel like it doesn't then don't **** in other people's sandboxes.

SleeperSE

- I've got a stick, so I'm not exactly the expert on racing an auto Max. But... Do you guys powerbrake off the line? You know, preload the torque converter by hitting the brakes and the gas at the same time just before its go time. The crappy stock engine mounts might ruin the effect with wheel hop, but I was just wondering if it works on this car since it has on other slushbox cars I've driven.

plrod Black 95 SE

It's more exilarating and safer if you use protection.

BriGuyMax

iTrader: (1)

thanks guys, I was just curious. Seems intersting that some people do and some don't....I like medicsonic's quote "don't **** in other peoples sandboxes" very amusing!

BriGuyMax

EdwardCYH

I think powerbraking is the only way to truly "launch" your automatic car.

Frezny

He's got the only 14.2 1/4 mile with a N/A engine, and I think he drives Auto, right?

CustomMax

Since when are there traffic lights on the beltway?

Synki

I power brake mine everytime i race on street or at the strip. On street i launch with 2.2k and on strip i launch at 1.7k or so. I always drive with my OD off unless im on a highway. I also manually shift every gear during races. I also have the VB upgrade so it kinda aloows me to do it more often. Hearing the Max chirp 1-2 is great.

MisterMatt

They are on the beltway feeder.

utahmax

What about on the northeast part of the beltway? It has stoplights.

nismomaxse97

iTrader: (4)

Utah is correct, there are lights on the way toward 59 and all the way to 10.

CustomMax

What state beltway are you talking about? I'm talking about 695 in Maryland...I lived there for 18 years and I never saw any traffic lights...? Mabey i'm just going insane, or mabey i'm thinking of the wrong beltway, either way congratulations on your win!

Maxima97GLE

Last night's Road Kills:
VW Jetta 5spd
VW Golf 5spd
2 Honda CRX's 5spd
1 Civic 5spd
3 Integras 1auto 25spd
1 Mustang auto