Hey guys is it really bad to downshift an auto? Like sometimes i just wanns downshift into second when coming for a turn. WIll this hurt my tranny? Ive always been kinda cautious about it, ive heard mixed things like if you keep on the gas its ok.. any opinions? thnaks

 

It wont hurt it unless you are going too fast for the gear, then there could be some problems I suppose.

 

It wont hurt it unless you are going too fast for the gear, then there could be some problems I suppose. Hence B&M ratchet shifters. They make it easier to downshift and upshift, even with a stock automatic.

 

With my old 200C I used to drop it into second as I was braking for the corner. If I did't give it a shot of gas just after shifting it would briefly lock up the rears - but that only happened once or twice and then I got the hang or it. That tranny lasted for 100K miles and I drove it that way most of the time.

I believe the car handles better in fast corners if you keep it in the power band and balance it on the throttle.

Also, I don't like the way an automatic sort of floats through the corner if it's left in drive and I don't want it deciding to downshift into second at a bad time thereby unbalancing the car at the apex of the corner or whatever.

Obviously I should a have standard but I don't.

I have TH350C in it now with a semi-manual valve body I think it is and I can downshift that into second w/out giving it the shot of gas as required with the 200C. I guess I'll find out how this one holds up - could be different.

Eventually I'll do a T56 conversion but I need to get a 350 motor in there first.

A lot of different opinions on the shifting issue but that's been my experience with it.

 

George , thats exactly what i wanna do man. I should have a standard too but im saving that for when i get an IROC. I dont trust the auto transmission so i like to do it for it. And my tranny stays in the gear i put it in , unless i cruise in drive. Its an 85 tranny tho with 132xxx miles on it and i dont wanna grenade nothing. Do ya still think it'd be ok?

 

Driving the car like we're talking about is hard use IMO so you kinda have to accept that things will brake.

132K on the tranny is a fair bit although it could have a lot more in it. Does it shift OK and what does the fluid smell/look like.

Usually a 700R4 is not a cheap rebuild compared to a TH350 so if you're concerned about blowing it up you might want to go easy on it.

Hard to predict - with mine I just figured once it popped I'd do a T56 conversion or a TH350 as short term solution - ended up with the 350.

 

I called Pro-Built about this when I got my Street/Strip 700r4 from him. He said he sets his up that way so you can downshift without worries, as long as you hold brake and tap gas pedal. This raises the rpms for a brief second and will build up fluid pressure in the transmission. Then release the brake and gas and then you can downshift.