When at the track, does it matter if you leave an auto in drive or overdrive? The reason I ask is, the first time at the track this past summer I left the car in overdrive and it hesitated going into 3rd. Went back to my tuner and had him lower the 2/3 shift point even though I believe he had it right the first time. Next time at the track I left the trans in 3rd and it shifted fine from 2nd to 3rd. What fixed it? Lowering the shift point or leaving it in 3rd? Any ideas?

 

I've run both and can't honestly say I saw ANY difference (usually the differences were in the launches).

I remember reading one time way back that leaving the shifter in 3rd will put a "little, little bit" more pressure to the lines for the bands or whatever ... I never heard concrete proof of that though. I usually put the shifter into 3rd though, so that once I'm past the 1/4 mile mark and let off the gas, the car has some engine breaking helping out deceleration.

 

Thanks Capn, I too remember something about leaving it in 3rd. I can't recall the reason why though. Maybe Frank or Dana will chime in.

 

I leave mine in 3rd...you don't want the trans to shift into OD just before the traps as it will drop the engine rpm and slow the car down.

--Alan

 

Alan, I still have some gear left in 3rd when I go through the traps. Wasn't trying to use overdrive in the quarter, I know better. I'm just trying to figure out what fixed my hesitation from 2nd to 3rd. Leaving it in drive or the lower shift point? Right now I think I'm short changing myself a couple hundred rpm on the 2/3 shift with this lower shift point.

 

Line pressure is higher in any manual (1,2, D) range.

Frank

 

the computer will not let the transmission shift into OD if you are at or close to full throttle, although, some cars will anyway and will require basic computer tune mods to fix that.