I just bought a 98 TA.. 7k miles, black, leather, t-tops,etc.. only problem its an auto.. anyhow.. I don't really know much about cars but I'm trying to learn. I need someone knowledgeable I can talk to about mods and different brands and what to do and what not to do, that kind of stuff. Anyone feel like helpin out?

 

Oh boy... Then why did you buy an auto in the first place???

Anyway... Without going into the auto vs. manual debate... , just read through the pages over here and you will find pretty much all the info you need.

Have fun.

TS

 

Wow, a '98 with 7K miles. That's a great car to own.

Don't be so quick to knock the A4. More LS1 F-Bodies came with it than 6 spds.

I know that when most people see your car's an auto. they'll say you should have got the stick, but then again, they probably don't know squat about the 4L60E's proven track record. There are differences between the autos in different cars (like the Z28 and GT-world of difference), but trust me, the auto in your T/A is a very good trans. that will keep up with a manual.

I guarantee you it'll be easier to drive at the track and you won't have to worry about any manual transmission-related problems like over-revving or bending pushrods if you don't know how to drive stick well.

 

You made a good choice getting a A4. You throw a torque converter in there and shut the auto hater crowd up quick. When they are streessing over horsepower wrecking their 10 bolts you'll be fine. At our local track there are more than a few A4 guys running 10 sec 1/4 miles with the 10 bolt with a T/A girdle. Try that in a M6. It may be possible but it does'nt happen very often.

 

How can I tell if I have a steel or aluminum driveshaft.. my buddy said something about the gears with the steel one not being so good and that changing them should be the first thing I should do. what do you guys think?

 

Well the DS isn't really a big issue, but he may be right saying it's steel, I can't remember if they went to alum. at a certain year of production..ex: '00-'02.... or if it came with an upgrated rear....3:23's for an auto (you prolly have 2:73's) Like others have said the 4L60E is a good tranny any you can pull some good times with them (see sig) With a decent stall of 3200-3800 (for a daily driver) and a tranny cooler and possibly a shift kit you will have a good advantage against quite a few f-bodys, also try to do the basics..lid, exahust,SFC's and some free mods, with those mods and some nittos you can see mid to low 12's all day long...with only a little over a grand worth of mods.....Good luck and enjoy!!!!!

 

Teke always puts up some good posts and has been helpful. He's good with advice and gives in good detail. If you ever catch him on the board check out his web page. He shows his mods and gives good detail how to install ect.

 

On your driver's side door there will be a parts code sticker inside the jamb. If you see GU2 on there, you have 2.73s and a steel driveshaft. If you see GU5 on there, you have 3.23s and the aluminum driveshaft.

Or, you could go under the car and flick the driveshaft with your finger. If it's silver and it makes a "tink" when you flick it (like it's hollow), it's the aluminum driveshaft. If neither one of the above are true upon inspection, you have the steel driveshaft.

 

I don't think it's the fact that 6 speed guys hate autos - but just the fact that those with 6 speed cars would never buy an auto seems to make some auto guys upset. They think that because they wouldn't buy an auto that they are bashing those with autos. It's all personal preference. If you like your auto, more power to you.

 

ok it says GU2.. guess i have 2.73s

 

watched a high 12's m6 snap his rear

for the record, i'm an m6 and wish i had a 12 bolt .... DARN GM!!

 

Go get your car programmed and you'll *love* that auto. I had mine done by Carolina Auto Masters and now it power shifts. Very very nice. You'll have more consistent run times at the track as well.

Eating a big mac while balancing fries on your leg and driving through rush hour traffic is a snap to

 

Autos are fine.. I just had a bad experience and had to go through 6 of them in 3 years on my LT1..


but thats another story.. I say be happy with what you have and learn to launch your car properly. Spend more time at the track than on the street and make sure you are learning your car and how to drive it.. Modding should not be job1.. Job 1 should be learning to drive.. Then a converter will help but for some reason people go insane and add huge converters that a stock car does not need. 25-2800 is fine.. Remember where your car has its torque.. And on your stock stall, do not use the brakes.. Simply flash it and it should go.. It did for me.. 1.9 short times on street tires and 13.3 on a LT1..