Any Racing Tips for GXP automoatic tranny's?

[NavyKnight]

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Hello,

I would like to hear from anyone with a GXP Automatic that has been to the track or has much experience racing with an automatic tranny.

1. Should I ever be using the "I" and "L" gear during launches or at 80kph-120kph?
2. What is the best way to launch for the fastest 0-60mph times?
3. Is the fastest traction mode for 1/4 mile times competition mode or traction off?
4. What gear should be used for AutoX or Lapping Events? (D,4,I or L)
5. What traction mode should be used for AutoX or Lapping events? (ON,Competition OFF)

thanks for your responses.

[NavyKnight]

OK I will reply to my own posting because nobody seems to care for my questions either because they are all manual drivers and have no respect for loser auto GXP's or they just don't know any answers. So this is for all those Auto Drivers that are cursed with an Auto Tranny.

1. Should I ever be using the "I" and "L" gear during launches or at 80kph-120kph?

I have tried "I" gear and it is the gear you should be always racing ih. Your RPM's get in the 5000's which I think is an effective powerband. The hidden feature is that when you reach a high speed, the Tranny will automatically shift you into 4th gear around 5500rpm. When passing cars in the range of 80KM/h to 120KM/h you have amazing power and precision. It just feels awsome, as long as you don't get scared of having your car in the 5000RPM range. At the track this is where you need this precision because you will be close to other cars, and when you let off the pedal, you don't need to brake, because the engine does the braking for you. So final answer is:

"Yes use I Gear for racing and agressive driving ALWAYS."


2. What is the best way to launch for the fastest 0-60mph times?
Hold down your brake and REV to about 2500-3000 depending on your comfort level and tire traction at the moment. Use "I" gear, then when the tree shows green you let go of the brake and floor it. Too much tire spin then you will get a crappy launch like most amatures at the track.


3. Is the fastest traction mode for 1/4 mile times competition mode or traction off? Competition mode if you are a beginner, Traction mode after you have been launching successfully after experimentation.

4. What gear should be used for AutoX or Lapping Events? (D,4,I or L)
And the Winner is.......... "I" Gear!!!!!!!!

5. What traction mode should be used for AutoX or Lapping events? (ON,Competition OFF)

Competition mode, so you can concentrate on the wheel and not worry about traction all the time. The pros take off traction or don't use an automatic at all.

[Craig Lewis]

You are asking many questions that can only be answered by considering the specific conditions and personal preferences.

I'm no help because I have never beaten on an auto kappa. Sorry. I'd be happy to learn on your tires and report

Best advise, get out there and rip around in your car, "in a safe place". You'll feel it when it's right.

[gmf104]

Is your gxp stock or do you have a tune? Do you have drag radials or stock tires? I have and 2008 gxp with a BSR tune 3in magnaflow ex. and drag radials. I run 13.2 to 13.3 consistently using D or I with traction control off. Foot on brake 2000 rpm on last yellow off brake and floor it and hold on. Just go to the track and play with it. You will love it!

[NavyKnight]

Hi GMF104,

Thanks for the reply that's what I wanted to hear. I just have a Solo Street Race Cat Back Exhaust and the Solo Hi Flow Cat. Trying to get a tune first. 13.2 is a fantastic number for the auto. What tires are you using?

Don't you feel it's risky letting go of the break at the last yellow without seeing the green? Or is it just a "trust" your instinct thing? Did you ever jump ahead of the gun?

I love seeing Autos go toe to toe with Manuals. I noticed the fastest Solstice is an Auto. I also have this theory that auto's will always beat Manuals on the average.
Do you feel that reving past 2000 will cause too much tire spin?

[DrJones]

Originally Posted by NavyKnight Don't you feel it's risky letting go of the break at the last yellow without seeing the green? Or is it just a "trust" your instinct thing? Did you ever jump ahead of the gun?

The Pro Solo events start with a christmas tree drag set up. what I do at these is:
-pull the car up so the stage and pre-stage lights are lit
-back the car up ever so little so the stage lights go out
-inch the car forward untill the stage lights just come back on (this makes sure that that the car is in the same position everytime at the line)
-get the RPMs up to the desired level
-as the lights come down I start my launch AS the 2nd light starts to go out.

waiting for the second light to start to go out gives room for the reaction time of
-my mind telling my foot to start letting the clutch out
-My foot actually moving
-the car drivetrain loading
-finaly the car moving
You might not need as much reaction time when using an automatic.

Not sure if you have time to play with the stage lights like I do. We have 20 seconds to get in place inbetween cars.
In the Pro Solo we have two mirror image course. they start a car on each course with the christmas tree.

For a drag strip you could DEEP stage to keep a consistant distance to the start line.
for those who don't know what DEEP staging is: it's when you pull DEEP enough into the pre-stage and stage lights that the pre-stage light goes out. you would first pull in so both the pre-stage and stage lights are lit. Then inch forward slowly untill the pre-stage goes out.

[captain]

I started autox with my auto gxp and I used I,it seemed to work well and when on the twisties 4 seems to work

[gmf104]

I have Mickey thompson 245-40-18 drag radials. My first mod was the BSR tune. I ran 13.6 with alot of wheel spin. The next mod drag radials and best run 13.33. Next was Magnaflow 3 in ex. Best run 13.2. You will not red light if you start on last yellow it takes about 5/10 reaction time. I get to much tire spin much over 2000 rpm.

[NavyKnight]

Wow thank you all for the tips on the actual racing/dragging of an Auto tranny. I have learned new things this week about the Auto Tranny as well. Only because of this forum had I gained the courage to aggressively experiment with the Auto gears. I heard our tranny's came from a truck.

The "I" gear and "4" gear can be switched back and forth without depressing the lock button. This means you can stay in 3rd gear for most of the time, then shift into 4th at will. When you want to upshift back into 3rd you just move the lever back. Don't most racing applications just use 3rd and 4th gear? 3rd gear being used between 60km-120km and 4th gear being used between 120km-180km?

[I1ULUZ]

Originally Posted by gmf104 I have Mickey thompson 245-40-18 drag radials. My first mod was the BSR tune. I ran 13.6 with alot of wheel spin. The next mod drag radials and best run 13.33. Next was Magnaflow 3 in ex. Best run 13.2. You will not red light if you start on last yellow it takes about 5/10 reaction time. I get to much tire spin much over 2000 rpm.

What did you have the tire pressure set to?

How long were you heating them up before pulling to the line?

What kind of 60ft times were you getting with DR's?

[gmf104]

Originally Posted by I1ULUZ What did you have the tire pressure set to? How long were you heating them up before pulling to the line? What kind of 60ft times were you getting with DR's?

I have the tire pressure at 16 to 18 psi. I do a 3 to 4 sec. burn out. My best 60 ft. in drive was 1.89 and the best in "I" was 1.85 . I go to the track to have fun and out run my brother's 2005 GTO which I have always done, but he just got a 2009 CTS-V 556 hp stock, so it looks like my winning days are over, if I don't do more mods. Looks like you have had some fast cars.

[joshmass]

I use the exact same technique you mentioned in post#2 for my launches. Best time on nearly stock car was 14.35. After the latest round of mods I'm hoping for low 13's.