Anyone running a turbo on an Auto Trans?

[WalksInDarkness]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone is running a turbo on 2.3L auto transmission? Because most factory 4-Cylinder engines with Auto Trans seem to hesitate off the line (even worse than a NA engine), from the few vehicles I have driven (specifically bad was the VW Passat). I am not sure why, but maybe there is a technical explanation for that. I am seriously considering a turbo, but if it adds any hesitation I don't want it (the 2.3L auto is weak enough in stop-n-go traffic already). Any thoughts?

Take care,
Will

 

[goldwing2000]

Actually, I think there are only like two people running turbos, period.

Anyway, the reason you get a hesitation with an auto is because you have to wait for the RPMs to rise high enough to engage the torque converter. That's just the nature of the beast. Adding a turbo won't cause any more hesitation but it may make it more noticable because there will be a bigger rush of power once the tubo lag it taken up.

 

[saskmazdaman11]

Is it the weight of the tourque converter, or the stall speed that causes the hesitation? Or is it something else?

 

[goldwing2000]

A torque converter is a fluid coupling between your engine and transmission. There is no mechanical connection between the two (until you hit overdrive and converter lockup, but that's another story).
It just takes a little time for the fluid to build up enough pressure to actually make the movement happen.

The stall speed controls how much RPM is required to get a 1:1 (or so) transfer ratio between the engine output and trans input but there is still a lag between idle and when the transfer ratio is actually powerful enough to move the car. Whatever time it takes a car to increase RPM from idle to "launch" is the lag you're feeling.

That's why you brake torque an auto when drag racing. To get the torque converter nearer to lockup and to get the engine nearer to its ideal power band so there's less of a lag.

If you REALLY want to figure out the ins and outs of how it works, go here:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

 

[BlueMonsta]

if ur auto is hesitating, take a look at this thread. Someone seems to have it fixed.
http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=3019

 

[goldwing2000]

if ur auto is hesitating, take a look at this thread. Someone seems to have it fixed.
http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=3019

Ummm... that guy has a manual trans. (eyeballs) (uhm)

 

[BlueMonsta]

yeah, but the engine hesitation wasn't tranny dependent...

 

[goldwing2000]

Right. But this whole thread is about putting a turbo on an auto trans, not about poor engine performance.

 

[BlueMonsta]

oh, cause he was complaining hesitation, w/ the stock engine...
nevermind then I guess.
edit: goldwing how much were ur ASXs brought 4?

 

[goldwing2000]

I think he was just stating that all factory 4-cyl autos have a lag off the line.

My tires were $465 out the door. I think that included the alignment, too.

 

[ZoomVT]

you didnt ask me but i'll tell you anyways.
i got the ASXs from tirerack.com for $93 for the 18" but the 17" were on sale for $81 this is about 3 weeks ago.

 

[BlueMonsta]

you didnt ask me but i'll tell you anyways.
i got the ASXs from tirerack.com for $93 for the 18" but the 17" were on sale for $81 this is about 3 weeks ago.

thanks man...
too bad we cant trade in tires... give them the RS-As....

 

[BC3I]

if your gonna run an auto turbo......go to www.lentechautomatics.com and buy the performance auto trans and tourque conv

 

[MrTea]

been running the turbo for a week now with the Lentech valvebodies (on for 6 months) and haven't had issues. i like the way the auto feels as it doesn't loose the boost when shifting, though that's what can hurt it as well. without the valvebodies it takes longer to shift, which causes more heat which can kill the tranny. the lentech valvebodies speed up the process which lessens the heat making it more bearable on the tranny....so far. HiBoost has had a turbo on an ATX 6 for about 14 months now, he sees issues when he bumps up the boost. that's why the kit for the ATX is preset for less boost.