Auto Stick for MM?? Vendors??

[Thomas C Potter]

What I think would really be sweet is an auto stick mod for the MM. This would eliminate my, and likely others, annoyance of the stock transmission. I'm sure the chips/reprogram some of our sponsors have are great, but kinda tough to beat an auto stick!! I strongly considered a Dodge Intrepid RT just for this feature. But V8 RWD is only way to go.

Vendors?? Under $800?? Back to dream land here.

TP

[GarageMahal]

I have always wanted an auto stick too. I think this would be a fabulous mod if possible.

jta

[Dr Caleb]

Please explain - "Auto Stick".

I know what an 'Auto' as in Transmission is. I know what a 'stick' as in Maunual Transmission is.

[Crickets chirping...]

'Auto Stick' Hmmmmm.

[SouLRioT]

Autostick




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A form of semi-automatic transmission. It combines an automatic transmission with the gear-shifting feature of a manual transmission without the use of a foot-operated clutch. In the normal automatic transmission drive mode, the transmission behaves like any other automatic. The manual-shifting feature allows more control over the full range of rpms an engine offers. Porsche and Audi offer a related transmission technology called Tiptronic. The Lexus GS400 also has a similar transmission but instead of using a stick to change gears it employs buttons on the steering wheel. Several other automakers offer similar technologies. http://www.audi.com/imgs/com/en/company/company_perspective/technology/tiptronic/tiptronic/99969905302032046

[Dr Caleb]

Ahhhh! Thanks SouLRioT.

I've tried some of those. Not really impressed, but if it gives more horses through lower drive line losses...cool.

Ferrari has some mean stuff in F1. A manual tranny that can shift gears in 100th's of a second...

[UncleLar]

Ah,you mean like Chrysler Fluid Drive.

[LincMercLover]

I personally think they suck. They don't behaive anything like a manual, and I think it's just added wear to the tranny... My $0.02...

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by UncleLar
Ah,you mean like Chrysler Fluid Drive.

Sorta. From what I glean, the TipTronic trannys are manual trannies that use a computer activated hydraulic clutch, and computer activated shifter. The computer engages the clutch, shifts gears and releases the clutch in less than 1/100th of a second. All at the push of a button.

All the benifits of Ralph Schumachers reaction times and a manual transmission, for the low low cost of the Gross Domestic Product of Zwaziland.

[looking97233]

Just a question.... Ford trannies, when first gear is manually selected... stay locked in first gear.... when second gear is maanually selected.... stay in second gear... when in drive... opperates normally. Right? Kinda like an auto stick already isn't it? Not like a chevy that will upshift or downshift even though you have it locked into a paticular gear.

[duhtroll]

The car I just got rid of had autostick. (Stratus ES Sedan) I did like it as an improvement over its auto tranny just because one could hold the lower gears longer.

However, I don't see that there will be much (if any) gain for the MM since as someone just said one can manually shift the Ford transmission 1,2,3 with OD off and then hit the button for 4th. Same thing.

The only thing is now that I have my shift pattern improved with the chip, I don't feel the need for an autostick or even manual shifting. The car shifts right when I would have shifted myself. The CPU is faster once you take the human out of the loop. :lol:

Oh, and I was up against a Stratus R/T which IIRC has the Interpid R/T engine. No contest. :P

Just my $0.02.

-A

[UncleLar]

Ford trannies such as ours will automatically shift from 1st to 2nd even if held in 1.When placed in 2 it will start out in 2nd and stay there,it will not upshift or downshift by itself. I know,it cost me 2 losses drag racing last year finding out the hard way.

[rumble]

One drawback to our transmissions is the imprecise shift linkage. I have driven many Tiptronic cars and to shift them you simply push the shifter up against the stop rather than actualy moving the shift lever to another position. It gives a much quicker change of gears, kinda like power shifting a manual. Also they come in 6, count em, 6 speeds. This then raises the question, what about an aftermarket shift linkage set up? Can any one say Hurst?

[Kenny's car]

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Originally posted by UncleLar
Ah,you mean like Chrysler Fluid Drive.
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I had one of those.... a '49 Dodge Coronet 6cyl flathead, but it had a clutch pedal, you just did not need to use it from a dead stop. Distant past......

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by Dr Caleb
Sorta. From what I glean, the TipTronic trannys are manual trannies that use a computer activated hydraulic clutch, and computer activated shifter.


I've forgotten the specifics behind that system, but I thought TipTronic was an automatic transmission with the added feature of demanding an upshift or downshift based on banging the shifter up or down within a specific gate (usually denoted with + and - positions).

The manual tranny you're referring to is that Ferrari F1 tranny deal... RC started a thread about Ferrari Nutzos and oil choices and there's a link in there to a couple of guys and their experiences with Ferraris equipped with this tranny.

Reason why I think the Porsche TipTronic is a full automatic is because I believe shortly after they introduced it, there was a flurry of auto makers bringing out their own versions of the auto-stick.

[Constable]

real simple: a shift kit (or a chip) and a ratchet shifter would make this car a BALL OF FUN for me.

[prchrman]

What would make it real fun is to use a lower 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear...leave OD alone and this would give you the best of both worlds...good bottom end with gas mileage unaffected at cruising speeds...any good tranny shop should be able to this...could drop your 1st gear to run as if it had a 4.56 or whatever you would like...also beef up the tranny at the same time...OBTW I like the way our trannies are set up...go to OD off and shift manually...chirp chirp...

[Fourth Horseman]

Originally posted by Dr Caleb
All the benifits of Ralph Schumachers reaction times and a manual transmission, for the low low cost of the Gross Domestic Product of Zwaziland.

That's Michael Schumacher, actually. Ralph Schumacher drives for Williams. ;)

[mtnh]

Our trannys do not shift out of 1st if selected gear is first. Last time I checked, anyway. (8 hours ago)

Mike