DIY GTM Turbo Stage 2 Install!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
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In sport mode (DS), the transmission can behave in two ways. During normal driving, it will shift and feel like it is in (D) mode. Very conservative. BUT during heavy acceleration, braking or cornering, the transmission will shift close to redline. When the transmission is in this mode and you are approaching a stop, the downshifts will be VERY firm because the car is preparing to accelerate and wants to be at a high RPM.
I usually like to upshift at around 3K RPM under normal load. To me, the DS mode is either too "aggresive" shifting at redline or too "conservative" and shifting before 2K RPM. This is why I like to drive 95% in (M) mode so I can control the up AND downshift points.
Couple of things to keep in mind when (M) shifting with turbos:
The first is I've learned to anticipate the proper time to hit the paddles for gear changes at redline. In doing so, I sometimes hit the paddle too early and transmission does not process the request because it thinks the RPM are too low when it detects the paddle switch closing. With the TT, the RPM swings up SUPER fast so the car would hit the rev limiter as a missed shift even though I hit the paddle super early. Lesson learned ... use the DS mode if you are expecting to do full throttle launches. It won't miss a shift.
The second thing to keep in mind when (M) shifting is if one gets lazy letting the transmission do automatic downshifts. You may or may not be in the right gear for accelerating if say you are approaching a red light that suddenly turns green.
In regards to (DS) mode throwing your car off balance ... I do not know for certain. I haven't done it yet, but if I were going to drive a road course, I would shift in (M) mode until I learn how the car behaves in (DS) mode.
All this information may make driving with a shift kit sound more complicated than it really is, but you get used to it.
I usually like to upshift at around 3K RPM under normal load. To me, the DS mode is either too "aggresive" shifting at redline or too "conservative" and shifting before 2K RPM. This is why I like to drive 95% in (M) mode so I can control the up AND downshift points.
Couple of things to keep in mind when (M) shifting with turbos:
The first is I've learned to anticipate the proper time to hit the paddles for gear changes at redline. In doing so, I sometimes hit the paddle too early and transmission does not process the request because it thinks the RPM are too low when it detects the paddle switch closing. With the TT, the RPM swings up SUPER fast so the car would hit the rev limiter as a missed shift even though I hit the paddle super early. Lesson learned ... use the DS mode if you are expecting to do full throttle launches. It won't miss a shift.
The second thing to keep in mind when (M) shifting is if one gets lazy letting the transmission do automatic downshifts. You may or may not be in the right gear for accelerating if say you are approaching a red light that suddenly turns green.
In regards to (DS) mode throwing your car off balance ... I do not know for certain. I haven't done it yet, but if I were going to drive a road course, I would shift in (M) mode until I learn how the car behaves in (DS) mode.
All this information may make driving with a shift kit sound more complicated than it really is, but you get used to it.
Thanks for the in-depth man. Guess I will just have to wait and learn. Is this "shift kit" the stock system or is there upgraded parts?
Kicking myself in the azz now that I want to mod. Should have got the manual, but of course thinking of my wife and she doesn't even drive it
Thanks for the in-depth man. Guess I will just have to wait and learn. Is this "shift kit" the stock system or is there upgraded parts?
Kicking myself in the azz now that I want to mod. Should have got the manual, but of course thinking of my wife and she doesn't even drive it
Kicking myself in the azz now that I want to mod. Should have got the manual, but of course thinking of my wife and she doesn't even drive it
