Got this in a email from tip world about Auto Trannys, though I might post it and give some people who don't know a little info on how it works.

The Role Of An Automatic Transmission
For most people, the only thought they give to their automatic transmission is a fleeting one when they select a gear and drive away. An automatic transmission is nothing more than a giant hydraulic pump that: (1) internally lubricates itself; (2) cools itself; (3) and ultimately, through the application of a series of gears, clutches, and internal "hard parts," propels your car forward.

Here's how it works. When you select a gear, oil (or transmission fluid) is routed under pressure (created by its internal pump) through the valve body. The valve body (or brain of the transmission) is electronically and hydraulically controlled. Oil is then forced through the torque converter at high pressure, creating a fluid coupling between the engine and transmission. This fluid coupling is similar to what happens when the clutch is applied on a standard transmission. The clutch connects the engine to the transmission, and so does the torque converter through a fluid coupling. This fluid coupling is achieved by forcing the transmission fluid through a series of restrictive passages called fins (very similar in design to turbine engines on a jet).

Once there is a fluid linkup between the engine and the transmission, how do you accelerate forward and shift gears? The gears are applied by a series of mechanisms called servos and bands; engine electronics and hydraulic pressure control the application of these. For example, when you step on the gas, the engine control module sees the need to shift, so an electronic signal is sent to the transmission to downshift into passing gear. Electrical switches called solenoids are then tripped, valves within the valve body divert the flow of oil to the bands or servos, which in turn apply or disengage gears. Just like magic... the transmission shifts!

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89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555

Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!

 

the torque convertor is one of the most incredible devices i've ever seen. when you really thing about it, not only is FLUID coupling the engine and transmission, it's actually being used to MULTIPLY TORQUE.

when you mash the gas, the ONLY thing that spins your transmission is AT fluid being thrown centrifugally into the turbine.....incredible.

 

yeah the auto tranny is a great thing. too bad soo many haters have to talk s**t about them. i mean with the right gears and torque converter an auto can be quicker than a manual!

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88' CAMARO Sport Coupe
2.8L V6
K&N Air Filter w/RAM AIR
Flomaster

 

Yea they can be a great thing, but it sure is nice to bang gears, my solution, I have a 5 speed car and an automatic.

 

A month or so ago Chevy High Performance or Super Chevy - can't remember which - did a shootout of a stock Turbo 400, a modded Turbo 400 and a 4 speed Muncie (I think). The manual beat them both, but the modded 400 was close to the same performance. I think autos are one devious little innovation. Anything that multiplies torque like the TCC does kicks a$$! But manuals are fun too....

Vman

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1969 Camaro Sport Coupe
383, 700R4, leather, everything black but the lights

Previous owner of an 89 RS Camaro
2.8L V6, 700R4

 

Ayone know a solution to have the best of both worlds? Like picture this. On one side, u got the PRND on the plastic on the side do it doesnt take up room, then u got the shifter slammed real close to the side of the shifter console thing. then with the extra space, u can "snap" the shifter over and flick a switch to engage "manual override" and have the extra space be a quick throw 5 spd. would that not be the shiznit?!?!? anyone know of anything close.

long shot, but mine as well try!

 

I think it's Acura that has a setup like that, but it's still just an auto transmission with an auto/manual valve body.. the same thing can be accomplished with a decent shift kit (whooptie).. the point of the manual is that it's a direct (mechanical) coupling to the engine. Less power is lost between the engine and the transmission. This too can be thwarted with a manual lock-up switch on your converter, however locking your converter while crusing in second WILL cause a THM-700r4 to overheat, and NOT locking the TC while crusing in fourth will cause a THM-700r4 to overheat, hence it can be a good thing (if you know what you're doing and can remember to lock/unlock your converter, it will generally live alot longer than an automatic lockup transmission), and it can be a bad thing (your trasmission will be VERY short lived if you forget to lock/unlock it)

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4 /w special 2nd gear delete option
In search of new v8 engine & transmission, now contemplating t5 swap to get me out of this mess.
Misc Mods: Cut air box, '83 Firebird spoiler.
Performance Parts: MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers.
Audio Mods: Pioneer DEH-P3000, two 12" Optimus Pro Audio subs in hand-made enclosure each powered by a 260 watt Optimus amp. Working on shaving the box for weight.
My Homepage, with pics.

 

Don't forget besides the advantage of less power loss with a manual that there's also the weight. I could pick up my Blazer's tranny.

 

Remember dodge had that autostick thing. Where you could put the shifter all the way back and shift manualy with out a clutch. I didn't thin it would allow you to have complete control over the Tranny, but I drove one and made it pull away from a redlight in 3rd gear. Man that was some slow acceleration.