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Why does no one build fast auto FDs?

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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 06:14 PM
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Why does no one build fast auto FDs?

Ok i was at one of the local performance shops around here and we started talking about how a built auto tranny will out shift a manual and it doesnt let the turbos spool down. I know all the really fast mussle car guys run autos Supra guys that run fast run autos in fact the fastest cars in the world are auto then u have fd owners or just 7s in genral the only fast rx i have ever seen with an auto has a 20b in it and launches lick no other so why not more autos in 7s?

I know 5 speed are more fun to dive but from what i have read if you want a fast 1/4 mile car its got to be auto.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 06:29 PM
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"Fast" 1/4 mile runs like 8 seconds or better "need" autos. If you are building a drag car that you will never drive on the street, an auto might be an option; however, I doubt that is the case for 99.9% of all FDs.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 06:42 PM
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true drag autos have transbrakes to help them launch. no one makes a trans brake for an fd. to get that kind of power you're also gonna need a big single. big single plus no torque=suck *** launches. oh yeah and there's also the little matter of the 3.9 rear end, not exactly good for drag racing. Having said all of that, from a roll there are plenty of fast automatics.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 06:43 PM
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From: Cockaigne
oh yeah, and you might want to try a search.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by FD3SR1
Ok i was at one of the local performance shops around here and we started talking about how a built auto tranny will out shift a manual and it doesnt let the turbos spool down. I know all the really fast mussle car guys run autos Supra guys that run fast run autos in fact the fastest cars in the world are auto then u have fd owners or just 7s in genral the only fast rx i have ever seen with an auto has a 20b in it and launches lick no other so why not more autos in 7s?

I know 5 speed are more fun to dive but from what i have read if you want a fast 1/4 mile car its got to be auto.

FD is not a 1/4 mile car
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 07:22 PM
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Why does no one build fast auto FDs?

For the same reason no one puts lipstick on a pig.





I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist that wisecrack. Actually, I think the autos are under-rated and underappreciated. And in day to day driving they may actually be quicker. Most drivers over-rate their shifting ability, especially under stress. Anyone ever missed a shift when doing a little stoplight race? Most of us have. A foot to the floor is hard to screw up.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 07:24 PM
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^^^^^ That was mean. lol...
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:02 PM
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Most RX-7 owners realize that these cars were built for racetracks with corners, not drag-queen duty. On such racetracks, it's important that you're able to select the proper gear prior to entering the corner, which is beyond the capabilities of any automatic that I've seen to date. Those manu-matics with shift buttons on the steering wheel are very close to being ideal, except they are still less efficient than manual gears (in terms of power delivered to the wheels), and will usually come with fewer (thereby taller) forward gears. They are also heavier. There are good automatics, but a good manual will be better.

-s-
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by JConn2299
Why does no one build fast auto FDs?

For the same reason no one puts lipstick on a pig.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:05 PM
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^^ By 'good manual' , I'm referring to sequential shifting like you can find in motorcycle gearboxes and dedicated racecar transmissions. They shift fast, are reliable, and weigh less. They're harder to find neutral in than conventional H-pattern gearboxes (like the ones in our street cars) , which is why they're not used in most passenger vehicles.

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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by weaklink
true drag autos have transbrakes to help them launch. no one makes a trans brake for an fd. to get that kind of power you're also gonna need a big single. big single plus no torque=suck *** launches. oh yeah and there's also the little matter of the 3.9 rear end, not exactly good for drag racing. Having said all of that, from a roll there are plenty of fast automatics.
correct me if i am wrong but i am pretty sure that trans-brakes are "useable" on any automatic transmission. it disinguages and ingauges when you release "the button or switch"
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:23 PM
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if thats true why havent others figured out a way to add one to the auto fd's tranny?
weaklink and a few others ran auto fds and finally gave up on the whole auto thing and swapped to a 5 speed.I own an auto fd and I would like some other alternatives short of having to do a 5 speed swap if possible.A transbrake sounds like an ideal solution.Pity no ones really pioneered this subject yet.
How does the transbrake affect reliability?
I also realize that without the at ecu the car loses its hold ability therefore making first gear unhold able pretty much making the car no fun to drive period.And you eventually realize that you need an power fc and cant run the at ecu.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by RXASSASIN7
correct me if i am wrong but i am pretty sure that trans-brakes are "useable" on any automatic transmission. it disinguages and ingauges when you release "the button or switch"
I think he means a 'high stall converter,' which will let the engine rev up higher before engaging the transmission, and from what I can tell, you're referring to 'line locks,' which let you brake with the front brakes only, for drag stuff like burnouts and launch control.

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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:26 PM
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then **** if he needs a stall converter just tell me @ which rpm you wan it at and i have my buddy make you one for your car!
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:29 PM
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and b&m makes the universal line locks for the brakes
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 08:32 PM
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From: colorado
b&m line universal line lock?
how does it work?
engages the brakes while reving up the car? is it similar to torque braking then?
thats what i do now to have a decent launch for an auto that is.
as for the high stall converter.I think it would make the car somewhat unstreetable.always having to rev the **** outta the car to drive anywehre from a dead stop.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 09:14 PM
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its a check valve you hook it up to the front brakes do a search on it i think a little while ago they figured out to do it and not have to take your abs off!
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 09:59 PM
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yes I know what I am talking about and no I do not mean a line lock or high stall converter. I have (had) a custom stall converter-3500. Higher than that is not streetable. Stock is 3K. Line locks lockup the front brakes. I have not personally tried them, but it says it is not for use with ABS. Yes this would be similar to brake torquing-well not similar, exactly. I don't know how well the fronts would hold you during a prelaunch situation as it isn't made for that. Its purpose is to keep a manual tranny car from rolling so that you can push the clutch and the gas at the same time without growing a 3rd foot to stay on the brake. A transbrake is a tranny modification that locks first and reverse in at the same time. No one offers this for an rx7. The best part about a built stock tranny is that it is more reliable. The car was fast from a roll, just plant your foot and go. The car would put you in the seat and keep you there until you let off, but from a dead stop it was, uh, less than stellar and stoplight to stoplight I got beat by some pretty embarrassing rides-like a v6 eclipse. But from a roll it was no contest. I have heard that the rear end swap (to a 4.10 or higher) is the best mod you can do for the auto. Now is a good time to swap as there are a few v8 swap rx7 guys looking for 3.9s.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 10:13 PM
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you had a 3500 stall converter?" wtf im gunna call bs on that one unless you had like slicks and pretty much a drag car. if you where crazy on the street the highest go with is a 2000 stall. and how the f%^ can factory be 3000? that would mean the car wouldnt even moving until you hit 3000prms then that means every stock auto rx7 when you hit the gas to go even under normal situations you would break you f$%^$ neck!
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 10:17 PM
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From: Cockaigne
...

Last edited by weaklink; Jan 19, 2005 at 10:27 PM.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 10:21 PM
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From: Cockaigne
...

Last edited by weaklink; Jan 19, 2005 at 10:27 PM.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 10:22 PM
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From: Cockaigne
Originally Posted by RXASSASIN7
you had a 3500 stall converter?" wtf im gunna call bs on that one unless you had like slicks and pretty much a drag car. if you where crazy on the street the highest go with is a 2000 stall. and how the f%^ can factory be 3000? that would mean the car wouldnt even moving until you hit 3000prms then that means every stock auto rx7 when you hit the gas to go even under normal situations you would break you f$%^$ neck!
...stupid forum double posts

Last edited by weaklink; Jan 19, 2005 at 10:27 PM.
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Old Jan 19, 2005 | 10:25 PM
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From: Cockaigne
Originally Posted by RXASSASIN7
you had a 3500 stall converter?" wtf im gunna call bs on that one unless you had like slicks and pretty much a drag car. if you where crazy on the street the highest go with is a 2000 stall. and how the f%^ can factory be 3000? that would mean the car wouldnt even moving until you hit 3000prms then that means every stock auto rx7 when you hit the gas to go even under normal situations you would break you f$%^$ neck!
care to put some cash down on that, friend?
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Old Jan 20, 2005 | 03:44 PM
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yes as long as your stating that a factory rx7 does not move until hitting 3000rpm yes ill put cash on that. so your saying you only get 4000rpm of movement in gear on a factory rx7?
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Old Jan 20, 2005 | 04:09 PM
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Chuckle... If I actually knew anything I might open my mouth but I don't...

Good luck to you weaklink, I can see you don't know anything either

Kevin T. Wyum
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