Auto Tranny Performance - Not satisfied

kingison · 09-25-2010, 11:18 PM

Is it common for the MKIII non-turbo to run thru the gears so quickly? I notice it gets to overdrive before I even hit 40 mph. That is even with my tranny engaged in power mode.

I also noticed this car does not downshift to high RPMS for that extra boost. For example at 40 MPH when I hit the gas I would expect a down shift to 2nd gear, but that does not happen. Is that normal on a non-turbo MKIII.

The car could do so much more with performance.

907mge · 09-26-2010, 02:19 PM

Yes it sounds like what mine does all the time. The power mode helps but I still find it a little wait to get to the power band that kicks in around 3 to 4k. I don't think there is much you can do besides swap in a manual tranny.

btwilson86 · 09-26-2010, 04:33 PM

There's also a possibility that the kickdown cable can be out of adjustment. My first supra never downshifted properly at full throttle, found out the kickdown cable was a couple mm off

kingison · 09-26-2010, 06:56 PM

Thanks guys, yeah I think that is the deal. I did not expect huge performance from the tranny or anything, but at cruising speeds I would expect a sports car to shift a little better for passing. Sure wish I had a manual. Just dont have the cash and cant do anything on cars beyond basic tune ups.

907mge · 09-26-2010, 07:33 PM

I don't think it will get any better. If you are at highway speeds I don't think it will go to 2nd with only 4speeds to choose from, mine never does. Even on the 7th gen celica forum they always say how a GTS with an auto is slower than a GT with a 5speed.

kingison · 09-26-2010, 07:42 PM

yeah I dont expect 2nd at 60 or 70 mph. It moves well in 3rd at those speeds. But at say 40 mph it chooses low rpm 3rd gear instead of a brief 2nd gear push like most cars. Or at 20 mph it wont drop to 1st gear like I would expect for the initial thrust.

Maybe the cable needs a slight adjustment as suggested. Maybe I should be happy with what it is. Just think it should be a little easier to pass you common sedan out there.

I have found a satisfying acceleration when I "manually" shift and take my rpms up to 5000 before going to 2nd, then drive..... I get a nice kick going into 2nd gear. But I dont want to do that all the time. My car is totally stock and has a factory head gasket with 60,000 miles on it, so I need to be careful.

kingison · 09-26-2010, 07:57 PM

I guess I should just be happy with it. Afterall it is 20 years old. Car runs well and I paid 2000k for it. It's not like I paid 30K for a newer supra or anything. Just got that need for speed you know?

Any ideas on the cost to swap in a manual tranny?

09-25-2010, 11:18 PM	#1
kingison Intake Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: phoenix Posts: 39 Blog Entries: 1	Auto Tranny Performance - Not satisfied Is it common for the MKIII non-turbo to run thru the gears so quickly? I notice it gets to overdrive before I even hit 40 mph. That is even with my tranny engaged in power mode. I also noticed this car does not downshift to high RPMS for that extra boost. For example at 40 MPH when I hit the gas I would expect a down shift to 2nd gear, but that does not happen. Is that normal on a non-turbo MKIII. The car could do so much more with performance.

09-26-2010, 04:33 PM	#3
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	There's also a possibility that the kickdown cable can be out of adjustment. My first supra never downshifted properly at full throttle, found out the kickdown cable was a couple mm off __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

09-26-2010, 07:42 PM	#6
kingison Intake Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: phoenix Posts: 39 Blog Entries: 1	yeah I dont expect 2nd at 60 or 70 mph. It moves well in 3rd at those speeds. But at say 40 mph it chooses low rpm 3rd gear instead of a brief 2nd gear push like most cars. Or at 20 mph it wont drop to 1st gear like I would expect for the initial thrust. Maybe the cable needs a slight adjustment as suggested. Maybe I should be happy with what it is. Just think it should be a little easier to pass you common sedan out there. I have found a satisfying acceleration when I "manually" shift and take my rpms up to 5000 before going to 2nd, then drive..... I get a nice kick going into 2nd gear. But I dont want to do that all the time. My car is totally stock and has a factory head gasket with 60,000 miles on it, so I need to be careful. Last edited by kingison; 09-26-2010 at 07:44 PM.

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09-26-2010, 02:19 PM	#2
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	Yes it sounds like what mine does all the time. The power mode helps but I still find it a little wait to get to the power band that kicks in around 3 to 4k. I don't think there is much you can do besides swap in a manual tranny.

09-26-2010, 06:56 PM	#4
kingison Intake Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: phoenix Posts: 39 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks guys, yeah I think that is the deal. I did not expect huge performance from the tranny or anything, but at cruising speeds I would expect a sports car to shift a little better for passing. Sure wish I had a manual. Just dont have the cash and cant do anything on cars beyond basic tune ups.

09-26-2010, 07:33 PM	#5
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	I don't think it will get any better. If you are at highway speeds I don't think it will go to 2nd with only 4speeds to choose from, mine never does. Even on the 7th gen celica forum they always say how a GTS with an auto is slower than a GT with a 5speed.

09-26-2010, 07:57 PM	#7
kingison Intake Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: phoenix Posts: 39 Blog Entries: 1	I guess I should just be happy with it. Afterall it is 20 years old. Car runs well and I paid 2000k for it. It's not like I paid 30K for a newer supra or anything. Just got that need for speed you know? Any ideas on the cost to swap in a manual tranny?