I was up late last night thinking about my auto transmission when I wondered if anyone had swapped out the gears and put in ones so the ratio was better for quicker acceleration(lower, higher, I forget)? Seems to me that all the gears go to too high of mph, first gear (0-40),second (40-75), third (75 -120), fourth (120+)...Flat out acceleration anyway... This is only what I have found to be true... It would be nice if the gears were ratioed closer together so that fourth gear might be more functional(I know I don't travel past 120 too often, although lately...)

I would appreciate any of your thoughts on the matter.

CommandoRabbit

 

your in 4th gear a lot. play with your over drive button to see what i mean... 120+.. who told you that?

 

I know what hes talking about as far as 4th gear....the car wont shift into 4th gear until your at about 120mph if your at open throttle, but I also know the car will use 4th gear at 35 mph if your cruising, myself I dont click it into O/D until im goin about 60mph...this car doesnt like 4th gear unless your at a decent speed....I agree with him....It would be nice if it had maybe a 5 speed auto, so that there were gears to access peak power points when racing...this auto tranny kills the car....my 92 SE 5 speed eats my 97 auto alive after 60 mph....0-60 they are dead even

 

oh my God!!!!!! i have been thinking the same thing, it sounds like gr8 idea

 

Hey

an auto is different from a 5speed. Auto uses Carrier, planetary gears sun gears and applies bands to achieve a certain gear ratio. You cant juss pull a gear out and swap in 4 new gears. Sounds like a good idea and it would be nice to have. Maybe some tranny shop will do it but im sure itll be extensive and expensive.

 

well, there goes that idea

 

I wonder what ratios would be optimal? I'm gonna talk to a tranny shop in town and see what they say... (Probably that I'm an idiot)

CommandoRabbit

 

A higher stall torque converter would give better acceleration, if there is one available for the Max. Usually makes the engine rev a little harder at high speed but not much. It's relatively easy to install in a conventional rear-wheel-drive but a front-wheel-drive.......no idea.

Something else I tried in my old 4-speed auto Skyline was to fit a switch to allow the lock-up solenoid on the torque convertor to be disconnected. Made 4th gear more flexible on the Skyline (allowed "slip" all the time between the engine and transmission in 4th). I've noticed the torque convertor on the Max stays lock-up in 4th even at about 60kmh (about 38mph) with light acceleration. But then it unlocks pretty quickly with increased acceleration.

It might work (if I can find the wiring - I don't have a factory manual; they are soooo expensive here in Oz) but the ECU might complain. Then again, I might leave it alone in case I bugger it up!