Your Favorite Automatic

"CammedCTSV" (cammedctsv) 09/09/2015 at 22:57 • Filed to: None

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Ok Oppos, we all love sticks, but driving a Cammed CTS-V in Florida traffic sucks. My beater is my old standby 1991 Buick Roadbastard Wagon. It is a throttle body injected 5.0L Chevy Small Block backed by a 700R4 four speed automatic. This wonderful slushbox has a 3.0 1st gear for nice launches, and a .67 overdrive for cruising. They are very heat sensitive, so here in the dirty south, additional trans coolers are a way of life. To get my big wagon moving, I swapped in a torque converter for the 4.3L Blazer, as it is equivalent to a 2200 rpm stall and costs $90. Add in a $50 trans cooler and this transmission has lasted 6 years of WOT launches. My 2002 Camaro SS has an electronic controlled version (4L60E) and it also has a loose converter and auxiliary cooler. I bought that car September 10th 2001, and it has almost 30 1/4 mile passes.

I run dexron VI fluid and 160 degree thermostats on both cars, so that the trans fluid is first cooled in the radiator then onto its own cooler. Maybe I have good luck, but these GM Hydramatics have been the most reliable automatics I have seen, and I treat them like red headed stepchildren.

Do you have a favorite slushblox?

camaroboy68ss > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:02

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the TH350 and TH400, just cant beat them. Love the TH350 in my 33 Ford has been a great transmission for a hot rod, hopefully this winter I'm looking to add the gearvendors overdrive unit to it plus sticking my old 4:10 gears back in the rear end.

Funktheduck > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:04

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Not the C4.

I've never understood what stall means in relation to automatics. I remember hearing people brag about their drive trains and they'd always get to the XXXX rpm stall and I'd just smile and nod

CammedCTSV > camaroboy68ss 09/09/2015 at 23:04

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Don’t go with Gearvendors. Build a 700 with a Beast sun shell and a B&M shift kit. GV is so heavy and sucks a ton of power. Been there, done that

Jedidiah > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:07

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TH350 and TH400.

I don’t like the stupid detent cables on the 700r4 and the 200r4 is pretty much junk

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:07

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Ford 4R75W. I’ve got one of these in my DD 08 Crown Vic, and it’s probably my favorite automatic transmission I’ve ever driven.

Not because the shifts are quick. It doesn’t have any fancy paddle shifters. It only has four gears. There’s really nothing special about it at all.

Except that when I’m on the highway, it gives me more opportunity to accelerate without forcing a downshift than anything I’ve driven. If it’s going to 3rd, it’s because I’m asking it to. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s literally the only thing I ask from an automatic, so I’m thrilled to have one that works the way I want it to.

Also, I don’t expect anybody to mention the Chrysler FWD automatics from the 80s through 2000s. Calling those shitty is an insult to other transmissions which are merely shitty... Chrysler’s FWD automatics are the worst.

camaroboy68ss > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:07

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no space for a bigger tranny in the pickup and I despise 700R4s, I never had a good one. If I was going to swap trans I would probably go to a 5 speed.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:08

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TorqShift 6R140, because 800whp and 1200+ft.lbs. of torque before slippage. STOCK. The puny Allison starts slipping at around 550, and the 68RE, lol. Isn’t the 700R4/4L60E and their fwd counterparts only good when modified or behind no power? We’ve always had great luck with them shitting the bed before 100k miles, not abused.

CammedCTSV > camaroboy68ss 09/09/2015 at 23:10

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Its all in proper tune of the TV cable. You need to use GM cranks on the carburetor and at the trans. But if your tunnel is too small I can empathize with not wanting to cut her up

JGrabowMSt > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:11

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Mercedes 722.6. Its in my SL, and handles quite the beating and brushes it off very well. After 108k miles, I had the fluid and filter changed and it put new life into the car. Shifts are immensely smooth again, and the fuel economy for what the car is happens to be pretty good (18mpg avg).

CammedCTSV > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/09/2015 at 23:11

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I love the Chrysler & DSM front wheel drives that make terrible noises in parking lots...the buzzing and clunking are entertainment

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:13

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Of all the cars I've driven (not a lot, being Im only 17), the 5 speed ZF auto in my M3 is the best. Smooth shifts when your just cruising or hard, defined ones while hooning.

CammedCTSV > Jedidiah 09/09/2015 at 23:14

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The 350 and 400 have kick down cables, which simply tells the trans to downshift to accelerate. The 700 has a TV cable, which factors in how much throttle you are using to control line pressure and shift firmness also. If it doesnt have the proper ratio, trans death will follow shortly

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:17

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Buzzing and clunking was actually a good sign with those...it meant they were working correctly, or as close to correct as they ever got. My mom has a series of four Chrysler minivans, between them they used 9 transmissions. The 2000 was the only one that was any good, and even then it had its transmission replaced before 100k...that said, I’d go to war with that van any day, that thing was bulletproof.

wafflesnfalafel > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:17

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This is going to sound a little stupid - but the 4speed auto/2.5l combo in the 2005 Nissan Altima is about the best dialed in auto trans I have ever driven. It is the only auto trans that I would consider “intuitive”. The upshifts especially are very well timed, it holds gears well and it downshifts quickly. The package isn’t super exciting - but it’s the best executed motor/trans combination I’ve driven. But I would still prefer a manual... (I’ll tell you when to shift, thank you.)

camaroboy68ss > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:19

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that’s the main problem is space absolutely zero room, the whole drivetrain is a tight fit but the there is barley enough space for a piece of paper in and around the tranny. the plan for the truck is to be a show truck so not entirely worried about performance, though im going back to 4:10s because I went from them to 3:42’s and didn’t gain really anything but all but killed what performance the truck did have.

CammedCTSV > Funktheduck 09/09/2015 at 23:23

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Stall speed is basically at what engine RPM your trans will start to send power to the differential. My 2002 Camaro had a stock stall speed of 700 rpm. The 2800 rpm converter I have now allows the engine to rev much higher before power is sent to the transmission. It makes the engine to trans connection very loose, so the trans lives longer and takes less abuse. Custom torque converters offer STR, or stall torque ratio which requires a PhD in quarter mile consistency. Once you live at the track for a summer you will learn what your car needs

CammedCTSV > camaroboy68ss 09/09/2015 at 23:28

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Even if you went to a T56 manual, you would still have to cut the tunnel. That ford is a tight space, but the T5 from the 3rd gen Camaro will fit. My buddy has one in a 32 Roadster and it works well with his 3.73s

Jedidiah > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:32

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I know, this is exactly why I don’t like them.

The 400 uses a solenoid to downshift while the 350 is only a cable connected to the back of the throttle.

camaroboy68ss > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:33

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yeah the T5 is a common swap these days, my grandpa has a 34 Ford Pickup as well but his has a T10 4 speed in it. its actually a kick in the pants to drive but the previous owner didn’t think to much about pedal layout so it gets uncomfortable when just sitting and putting through town.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CammedCTSV 09/09/2015 at 23:46

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My favourite autoamatic? The 1 speed unit in the Tesla Model S.

You can’t feel it shift at all!

LOL

CammedCTSV > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 09/09/2015 at 23:53

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Gear reductions dont count lol

RallyWrench > CammedCTSV 09/10/2015 at 01:41

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Aisin Warner 4 speeds as fitted to Volvo 2, 7, and 9 series. They are seemingly indestructible. Also the Ford C4 & C6 are pretty tough.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > CammedCTSV 09/10/2015 at 01:57

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I’d say the Jeep AW4, although whatever’s in the 2010(?) Ranger we have at work is a pretty slick unit, quick shifts and lots of close ratios.

Also, I won’t run a t-stat lower than 185F because I like actually having heat in the winter... And a lower t-stat doesn’t lower your running temp anyhow, as at 200F it’ll just be open all the time whether it’s a 195 or 125.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/10/2015 at 07:30

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Correct on the 60e. because that isn’t the basic transmission, it’s the cheapened up version of the basic transmission. Get a 65/70e, it’ll be much better. And if you go 80E (yes I know this is technically a different trans) good luck breaking that.

However, I do have some good things to say about the 60 even. It's very smooth if you aren't beating it, it's always in the right gear (again, if you aren't beating it), and it'll hold that gear when I want it to (see twice repeated caveat). A smooth and predictable transmission 95% of the time then.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/10/2015 at 07:31

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That's a 4-speed thing more than a Ford thing.

CammedCTSV > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 09/10/2015 at 07:38

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I run two large fans, one on the ignition and the other on the A/C command. My cylinder head temp is 170 cruising 190 in traffic

Funktheduck > CammedCTSV 09/10/2015 at 08:06

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Thanks.

twochevrons > CammedCTSV 09/10/2015 at 08:11

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The six-speed torque converter automatic fitted to the base model VW Golf and Jetta is remarkably good. I can’t speak to its reliability as yet, but I’m seriously impressed by it in day-to-day use. In regular driving, it simply stays out of the way so much that you don’t think about it, but what really won me over was the sport mode.

Unlike most automatics with sport mode, it actually does a pretty good impression of how an ‘enthusiastic’ driver would shift, rather than just being a bit more inclined to shift down. It’ll hang onto gears properly, downshift as soon as you touch the brake, and even downshift for engine braking if you leave the throttle closed for a second or so.

It’s actually so good that I very rarely bother with Tiptronic – the base Golf doesn’t get paddles anyway – since sport mode is such a close approximation of my shifting habits.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/10/2015 at 08:11

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Maybe, but I haven’t had a 4 speed auto that will hold 4th like this one. I usually won’t daily an automatic because there will be something about it that bugs me, but I like this one...it's unobtrusive.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/10/2015 at 10:39

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No denying ours was smooth when it worked, but it crapped out at 80k miles, and it had not yet lived a hard life.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/10/2015 at 10:44

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I’ll see what happens to me...

Frankly when it shits the bed it's just the alarm clock going off for "rebuild into 4l70"

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/10/2015 at 11:09

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I thought they updated it around 2004, and it actually holds up well enough?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/10/2015 at 12:09

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Did they? I have no idea. Either way, it's too sloppy off the line and picking up from a roll. Though that could be tuning.