manual shifting of the automatic transmission

[swbunge]

Part of the time I tend to manually control the shifting of the transmission. Is the shifting linkage strong enough for this or is it designed to be put in "D" and left alone until put in Park? How robust is this part of the transmission? Has anyone had any problems in this area?

[MM03MOK]

Are you manually shifting for the fun of it or are you trying to compensate for poor shift points from the factory?

There are a few options in changing those shift points including a reflash of the PCM, a programmed chip or an SCT tuner. All these options can change the shift points, along with a number of other parameters that will give you more HP and TQ. Accompany the "tune" with a cooler stat (180°) and cooler plugs and you'll be on your way to your first mods.

BTW: what's your location. Update your Profile.

Bunny!!

[Petrograde]

How robust is this part of the transmission? Has anyone had any problems in this area?

Our transmission is a weak link, especially if you're supercharged. Manual shifting is very bad. :bop:

Do a search on transmissions,... you'll find plenty of info

[SergntMac]

I manually shift my tranny when scooting around town and goofing off, but when I'm getting on the highway (WOT on-ramp stuff) or running in the 1/4 mile, I let the tranny do it's own thing. I should add that I'm on my second tranny, but IMHO, the first went south for unrelated reasons. I see no problems from manually shifting like this, but I wouldn't do it in WOT conditions.

[Krytin]

I agree Mac. I have been shifting the tranny manually before & after the "J - mod" with no problems at all! I only do it w/OD off. I have over 30k on the car & have changed the tranny fluid 2x's and found no debris of any kind in the bottom of pan. I also back wash the old filters just to inspect for signs of excess wear - none found! I do, however, shift it manually under 1/4 mile/stop light launches - before the J - mod I made the 1-2 shift @ 4k rpm. After the mod it likes 4.5k rpm - really spins the tires @ the shift!

[NAVCHAP]

Does anyone out there have a shifter mod, like a B&M or similar, installed in their MM? If so, maybe we could hear from them.

Thanks, -kjs-

[Smokie]

I have tried the manual 1-2 shift a few times and it does not work well at the same rpm's as the auto shift ( about 5900 rpm's ) it pauses, very slow shift. It seems to like about 5k better, very tough bark on the tires. Can someone explain why the difference ???

[Logan]

I was told that the manual shift in our cars engages the overdrive band for extra clamping power, which is the most retarded thing Ford could do if it's true considering how weak the overdrive band is... So for all you manually WOT shifting bastard's, enjoy buying yourselves new trannies.

...In short, my rule for Marauder is, is leave 'er in D with overdrive off when doing any WOT action and scooting around town. IMO, the only time you should engage overdrive is if you're cruising down the freeway.

For the record, I'VE never blown a tranny up. Does that mean anything? Probably not....But take it for whatever it's worth...

[Bradley G]

I have tried wot 1-2 shifts manually(before I knew better) I did'nt feel any more Go or pull doing this, over leaving in drive.And mine goes well into redline 6200 and shifts very nice.If I leave Trac, cont. on the light comes on after shift even if you don't hear the tires spin they are doing just that.;)

[Smokie]

I was told that the manual shift in our cars engages the overdrive band for extra clamping powerHad no idea 4th gear was involved in 1-2 shift, I thought if o/d is turned off, that was end of 4th gear. Well just in case...no manual shifts.

[Paul T. Casey]

With a chip or flash, it would seem to this guy anyway, a man cannot shift as quick or precise as the auto. Only times I do any shifting is on my "special cornering" roads, and it's mostly for engine braking reasons or to not get too much speed up on a big sweeper. It seems to plant the rear end rather well in 2nd on a hard corner.

[Krytin]

Does anyone out there have a shifter mod, like a B&M or similar, installed in their MM? If so, maybe we could hear from them.

Thanks, -kjs-
Sumit lists a B&M shifter for the Mustang AODE that fits the factory console - don't know if it's close enough for a fit in the MM.

When I shift the transmission manually it's not @ WOT. Right now when I shift 1-2 @ 4500 rpm it hits 2nd at about 5200 rpm, this is faster than leaving it in drive and waiting for 2nd to hit @ 6200 rpm! Also down shifting going into turns is faster than the transmission will shift on it's own in drive. At 32000 miles it's showing no signs of blowing up. Just my $.02.

[Thomas C Potter]

SWB, as to often happens at this site, the discussion turns to WOT/racing etc.. The most stressful condition for the shifter and cable is pulling it out of PARK if you are on a hill and did not use the parking brake. Using the shifter for some manual shifting under normal driving should be just fine. I do it all the time, along with my little TCC switch, makes the stock trans less annoying. One could say that putting it into 1st once in a while is good, may help keep cable better lubed.

What would be real nice is a true AutoStick mod, but we'll never see one....

TP Blue 03

[jspradii]

Tune the car correctly, and you should never have to manually shift, because the car can do it much more efficiently and SAFER than you can. Dennis has made this point over and over and he is absolutely correct.:banana2:

[Bigdogjim]

Or to put it another way....it don't pay to be shifty...............

[F-250 Driver]

Mannually shifting wont hurt your trans. You will just have to figure out the timing. In manual 2nd the o/d band engages to give you coast down engine braking. If your int. clutch is holding band will be fine.