3rd Gen needs help to keep up with the Stangs....
Oh man, this thread originated in 2002... What the??
Yes the autos will not launch hard unless you power brake them and use Hold mode. Thats attributed to the fact that the auto diff gearing is a pedestrian 3.9:1, and there is slippage in the torque converter when not in Hold mode.
The auto box soaks up more power than the manual. Plus it is physically heavier than a manual box, and the ratios are taller in every gear except 4th.
The auto box can handle plenty of power though. Dont let people tell you they are weak. They arent. There is a thread on here somewhere, where a member tried to break the auto trans by pushing 410hp through it, and giving it a hard time on the road. The auto did not break. They also use them in skylines, being a universal Jatco box, and they do not break them either.
Autos need 4.3:1 or better (4.44:1/4.5:1) diff gears, and the car itself needs weight reduction to offset the bulk of the auto box, down to what the manual car weighs. My personal opinion is that the 99-spec turbos are also a benefit. This is my car's plan.
If you want to add a Power FC, you can, but it costs 200 bucks more, to buy the Banzai Racing ECU harness adaptor to plug the Apexi into the car, then all good. I refuse to do this, because I hate the Power FC.
All the usual intake/exhaust, etc mods are there to consider too, and fine if you want to do them.
I'm tired of people bashing the auto cars in this forum. They give the negative view that they arent worthwhile, or only any good for a swap to a manual trans. That is the easy way out, and then your car is just like everyone elses.
I do & always have preferred auto turbo cars over manual turbo cars. They are rarer and you actually have to have a bit of brainpower to modify them to go fast. I enjoy that sort of challenge a lot, because it is ultimately rewarding.

Yes the autos will not launch hard unless you power brake them and use Hold mode. Thats attributed to the fact that the auto diff gearing is a pedestrian 3.9:1, and there is slippage in the torque converter when not in Hold mode.
The auto box soaks up more power than the manual. Plus it is physically heavier than a manual box, and the ratios are taller in every gear except 4th.
The auto box can handle plenty of power though. Dont let people tell you they are weak. They arent. There is a thread on here somewhere, where a member tried to break the auto trans by pushing 410hp through it, and giving it a hard time on the road. The auto did not break. They also use them in skylines, being a universal Jatco box, and they do not break them either.
Autos need 4.3:1 or better (4.44:1/4.5:1) diff gears, and the car itself needs weight reduction to offset the bulk of the auto box, down to what the manual car weighs. My personal opinion is that the 99-spec turbos are also a benefit. This is my car's plan.
If you want to add a Power FC, you can, but it costs 200 bucks more, to buy the Banzai Racing ECU harness adaptor to plug the Apexi into the car, then all good. I refuse to do this, because I hate the Power FC.
All the usual intake/exhaust, etc mods are there to consider too, and fine if you want to do them.
I'm tired of people bashing the auto cars in this forum. They give the negative view that they arent worthwhile, or only any good for a swap to a manual trans. That is the easy way out, and then your car is just like everyone elses.
I do & always have preferred auto turbo cars over manual turbo cars. They are rarer and you actually have to have a bit of brainpower to modify them to go fast. I enjoy that sort of challenge a lot, because it is ultimately rewarding.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 45
From: North Dallas, TX
I think the thread is more relevant now than it was back in 2002. With the new 5.0 mustangs putting down 400whp out of the box I bet they're pretty damn fast. I have yet to run one but those things romp.
I remember that video. IIRC you left him in the dust & not too long after he ditched the BNR's for some 500r action. Now I'm not saying the loss caused him to upgrade, I'm just remembering the timeline...
Ya know just the other day I saw a newer 5.0 go at it with a GTO and honestly I was unimpressed. In their defense though, they sounded mostly stock
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 45
From: North Dallas, TX
Really? I'd think with 400 to the wheels (and torque) they'd be pretty damn fast. My FD has right about 300 to the wheels and feels fast to me but the numbers say I'd not be able to keep up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
demetlaw
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
6
Oct 2, 2015 06:22 PM








