torque

[yay for cars]

hey everyone. i drive an automatic p5, and i like the torque i get in first gear, but when it switched into 2nd it just seems like it loses a decent amount of power. i know that since its an automatic this may have something to do with it, but are there any sugestions on how to get a little more power here? it doesnt need to be a whole lot, mostly because i dont have the money to do a lot to the car, but i was just looking for any suggestions. thanks guys.

 

[BadDSM]

Your total torque is a combination of the engines output at a specific rpm and the gearing.
First gear is going to feel good because it has a lower gear ratio to get the car moving.
These cars dont have alot of torque so each sequential gear will feel wimpier and wimpier.
Ever try to floor it in overdrive without a gear switch...
Put, Put, put...
Tiny engines really like manual transmissions that let you make use of what small power there is.

 

[yay for cars]

so are you saying that besides doing something drastic like turbocharging it, an automatic is pretty much going to feel like this?

 

[BadDSM]

Yes.
You need either big displacement(3.0+ liters)
or
forced induction (pseudo displacment increase)
in order to feel fast in an auto.
What are you looking to do with your car?
I am personally going to improve my cars handling characteristics as that is its stong suit in stock form.
Get a turbo or v8 if you want speed.

 

[yay for cars]

all right, thanks man. thats what i was looking for. im 16 and got my p5 as a birthday present, for which i am extremely thankful, and i was just looking to see what i could do to it for some power increase, because the handling is awesome how it is. unfortunately, i dont think my parents will allow me to turbocharge it. oh well, i probably shouldnt be allowed to have that much power anyways
thanks again!