Autostick Problems

[Cuda340]

I was on the February 21, 2007 SRT Chat Session. For those of you who have never joined the session, you should do so next time. (Note- You can also click on the SRT Chat Session logo to read all of the posts that were made to it while it was live). The engineers are really a bunch of cool guys and you learn alot about performance mods and problems with the 6.1 L SRTs. They really seem to care about keeping the SRT community happy.

What was interesting to hear was all of the complaints with DCX's autostick. Apparently, the engineers thought that they had corrected a problem by a flash to the TCM. This, however caused another problem. During drag runs, when the wheels spin at take-off, the transmission shifts to 2nd gear as soon as the rpms reach 3,200. This results in serious bog off the line.

The engineers were suprised to hear about this problem and promised to immediately work on it.

I guess by the time the autostick is offered in the Challenger (2009?) they will have corrected the problem.

[Hypotenus Love Triangle]

I have talked to a couple friends and they claim that Autostick is crap because it doesn't give you a clean shift. They are all about fully manual transmissions. I know that autostick allows you to drive manually and also have the option for Automatic, but is straight up manual the better way to go if you want to flex the muscle?
-phil

[Cuda340]

Originally Posted by Hypotenus Love Triangle

I have talked to a couple friends and they claim that Autostick is crap because it doesn't give you a clean shift. They are all about fully manual transmissions. I know that autostick allows you to drive manually and also have the option for Automatic, but is straight up manual the better way to go if you want to flex the muscle?
-phil

If you like to drive manuals, the 6-speed stick is the way to go. The 2008 Challenger will have the proven Viper 6-speed manual. The autostick may not be offered until 2009.

You will notice that 1/4 mile times are always quicker using manual.

[firstmethod]

Originally Posted by Cuda340

You will notice that 1/4 mile times are always quicker using manual.

I heard somewhere you'll get better numbers out of high performance automatics like TH350 or TH400 from GM if the tires hook up properly. Not sure about autostick since I'd never get a Challenger w/anything but a T-56 (even the rumored 5-speed is a deal breaker for me).

[Hypotenus Love Triangle]

Interesting.
Yeah, my friend lets me drive her Audi TT and its got an autostick (so did the Pontiac G6 that I was looking at). Whenever I would tromp on the gas, the thing would automatically jump from 1st to 2nd gear. That was kinda irritating. I didnt have that problem with the G6 though. I think the manual is the only way to go with a muscle car.
-me

[sniper226]

Originally Posted by Cuda340

If you like to drive manuals, the 6-speed stick is the way to go. The 2008 Challenger will have the proven Viper 6-speed manual. The autostick may not be offered until 2009.

You will notice that 1/4 mile times are always quicker using manual.

That will be a shame if auto is not offered the first year. I plan on driving mine in real traffic and may not buy it auto is not an option. (Basically anytime the streets are dry is when I will be driving it) As for 1/4 being quicker with manual, are you referring to all cars? If so, I urge you to check the 1/4 mile for the new GTO's. (Manual vs auto) I am most certain that the auto wins out in this case.

[sniper226]

Originally Posted by Hypotenus Love Triangle

Interesting.
Yeah, my friend lets me drive her Audi TT and its got an autostick (so did the Pontiac G6 that I was looking at). Whenever I would tromp on the gas, the thing would automatically jump from 1st to 2nd gear. That was kinda irritating. I didnt have that problem with the G6 though. I think the manual is the only way to go with a muscle car.
-me

My 98 Grand Prix GTP has kinda of best of both worlds. I often downshift to either avoid the lag for the tranny to keep up in thinking what I want to do or to limit the amount of gas I need to get it to downshift. (IE if I downshift manually I don't have to give as much gas as I would to force a downshift in D)

As for upshifts, it won't do it. But it will bounce off the govener and bog if you don't. I have learned that 93 MPH is about all 2nd gear is good for.

Oh, and it won't let you do stupid things like drop into 1st if doing 35MPH.
Plus, if you are say in manual 3rd, while it won't upshift, it will downshift automatically to 2nd if its needed for the amount of throttle.

Like I said, to me this is the best of both worlds.

Edit: It however does do a 1-2 shift instead of hitting the limiter when spinning the tires/. But I can smoke the tires for a bit before it shifts. But once 2nd kicks in, you can't keep em spinning much longer.

[Cuda340]

Originally Posted by sniper226

That will be a shame if auto is not offered the first year. I plan on driving mine in real traffic and may not buy it auto is not an option. (Basically anytime the streets are dry is when I will be driving it) As for 1/4 being quicker with manual, are you referring to all cars? If so, I urge you to check the 1/4 mile for the new GTO's. (Manual vs auto) I am most certain that the auto wins out in this case.

I agree that there may be times when an automatic will beat a manual in a drag race. It depends alot on the type of automatic and the skill of the driver shifting the manual. Generally, cars with automatic transmissions are slightly slower than the same vehicle with a manual transmission because, unlike manual transmissions, automatic transmissions do not have a mechanical link to the engine. They have to use a torque convertor that robs some power.

However, in road course racing a manual is always preferred because it gives you better control of your car.

[DanRealtor]

My '06 300C SRT-8 has the autostick, and does not have the newer flash.

I can roast 'em in first gear forever (and I do).

I have to shift in time to avoid hitting the limiter.

My personal favorite is getting next to someone at 60-67 mph and downshifting to 2nd, punch it and I'm gone. With the Magnaflow high flow cats and cat backs it barks nicely!!!

My Challenger will be the 6 speed manual, with an aftermarket shifter to quicken the shifts!!!