Don't mod autos?

[Gyre]

Why do people say you should not bother modifying automatics for more HP? I was thinking it was because:
1. If you were going to add performance mods you should have gotten a stick in the first place!
2. The automatic won't take advantage of the extra power. Sorry.
3. The automatic can't handle the extra HP and you could damage it. Don't do it!

 

[gene in cincinnati]

Some of the fastest cars in the world have automatics and you can tune an automatic car to take advantage of chips and mods. Take a look at the whole Mercedes-Benz AMG lineup (http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/models/amg/about/models/index.jsp&modelCod e=AMG). The S55 AMG and CL55 AMG are monsters with automatics.

Another example is Dinan BMW. Dinan is a BMW tuner that has software to change the shift points for automatics to increase the performance of the car. The following is from www.dinanbmw.com:

"Sporty acceleration is no longer the sole domain of those who like to shift gears. For automatic owners, Dinan Automatic Transmission Software welcomes you to the performance zone. To fully utilize the extra power extracted by Dinan Performance Software, the transmission software raises the shift points for quicker acceleration and improved drivability in both the "Sport" and "Economy" modes. In addition, the software provides firmer and quicker shifting, further improving acceleration."

[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: gene in cincinnati ]

[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: gene in cincinnati ]

 

[Racer 5]

Stock manuals can't handle too much HP either, the clutch will be a pile of shavings!
How won't the Auto take advantage of the HP? Like someone said about a T-Type or GNX~~ these cars were all autos and were faster than almost anything (stock or slightly modded) when they were out. And If you had the pleasure of owning one today, in good shape, you would still be kicking the doors in on some of the new performance cars(Stang, 'Maro). These cars tore the wheels with an auto, I've even seen some do it in 2nd and chirp 3rd. ****** NASTY!!! (GM still rocks!!)

 

[Gyre]

Oops! I guess that came out wrong.

I've seen more than one person say not to bother with performance mods if you have an auto. I wanted to know what reasons people had for saying that. I was just listing a few guesses as to what might have been behind other people's comments. I wasn't saying the automatic couldn't be fast or would fail (though I'd definitely like to know if it would!).

[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: Gyre ]

 

[Greg S]

Main reason is that most people modify their engines past the point of what the stock automatic will handle. If you have the tranny prepped to hold the additional power then it'll be fine, but too often power is just added without thinking what the consequences will be to the rest of the car's parts. There is also the factor that in smaller sport compact cars the weight difference between a manual and automatic is a fairly substantial portion of the weight of the car. In car's like the BMW and MB the car is already fairly heavy so the difference in the transmition weight isn't a big in the car's overall weight.