parts man

Does anybody autocross with an automatic trans, and if so what gear do you find is best for your times? I know course can dictate some of this choice but what do you all run in the majority of the time?

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Yes. For my first few runs I just left it in 2nd but at lower speeds under hard acceleration it would downshift to first so now I shift manually. The problem I have for now is I don't have a shift gate other than the standard ratchet set up. Also, my 3:27 ratio is not the best as 1st gear runs up to about 40 mph which is about the median speed give or take so I'm sometimes screaming in first or struggling in 2nd. I'm looking to go to 3:73 so 2nd would be better to be in more of the time. What's really needed is a gate that would allow easy fast changes without having to feel the shifter into the detents. I like the auto as it's one less pedal to deal with and you can left foot brake so adjust brake and gas at the same time. I have the v6 which is why I struggle in 2nd plus mostly original suspension and old tires so have to slow down more than is useful.

87 Camaro Dude

I autocross a V6 with an auto as well. I've never felt the need to manually shift between 1st and 2nd, just leave it in 2nd and be done with it. It will downshift by itself on slower corners when you accelerate. I don't believe its good for the transmission to downshift to first like you would going into the corner without a load on it, but I'm no transmission expert. I think your best bet would be to just leave it in 2nd the whole time regardless.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

The trans can be left to down shift on its own but it's slower. As you enter the corner you can be coming off the brake and starting to add gas as you down shift. Pretty much like downshifting a manual. That way you're already accelerating out in the better gear. I don't think it should cause any harm to the transmission.

Homer23

...should be dealt with by doing a manual trans swap or buying a manual trans f-body. These autos shift slowly and not at the right time which will usually cost most people around a half second on a 60 sec course.

GCrites80s

And when they do downshift on their own they really unleash the f-ing fury. Especially if you are making over 300 ft-lbs. I'll still be running an auto for a while, but sometimes you don't want it shifting but rather digging out slowly like you can with a manual.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Sadly my 3.1 doesn't have much "f-ing fury" to unleash. Maybe one day. But the point is to downshift the auto going into a corner just like you would a manual.

GCrites80s

In my part of the country they rarely make tracks were it is advantageous to shift more than once per run. There's been one or two where I tried (back when I ran a manual 944) but it would unsettle the car and require an almost immediate upshift back to 2nd. I'd find that it was still faster not to shift. But that's around here.

Base91

iTrader: (1)

All depends on car/track. My tires are really bad now and I still have all original front suspension so I need to slow down more than I'd like going into some corners so need to downshift more as I don't have the power to pull through and out in second. Also my 3.27 rear is not the best match right now as I need to shift up from 1st between 35 and 40 mph so the engine is often screaming or bogging a bit. If there is a corner where it's not really worth shifting back to first then with a manual you can left foot brake then slip the clutch some if you need to on the exit. But that's kind of what the auto does anyway and you don't have to move your foot. In any case, you just have to work with what you have and get the best out of it.

RJMcEachern

I run in ESP in a 5.7L Auto, second gear is my best friend, just have to massage the throttle coming out of corners, and be careful not to over rev it on the long sweeping turns and straight parts of the track.
I'll admit I have only been doing it for a little over a year and still very new to it. I am already looking to do the manual conversion, I have the pedals, slave cylinder and clutch master cylinder with hoses so just need a trans, I will have one by years end with the swap coming over the winter months. Right now I am happy to drive the automatic and not have to worry about shifting.
Learn in the automatic to drive the car through the corners and slaloms and then introduce the manual shifting to the regimen, if your track offers drivers training take advantage of it.

RJMcEachern