Tips on racing in an Auto Transmission

**d_p1x1** · 02-22-2008, 11:17 PM

Hey guys, this seems like a really stupid question, but how do most of you guys race your A4 cars? Say you are doing like a 35 roll, what is the best thing to do? Do you drop it from overdrive to a lower gear? If so, what gear? Or is that bad on the tranny to downshift the gears while moving? I raced a WRX from about a 35 roll tonight, I was in overdrive and just punched it, I didn't get much acceleration, we were about dead even, I thought I was gonna walk him. Should I have downshifted while rolling at 35 mph? By the way, I have an 02 WS6 A4, I just bought it and am new to racing in an auto transmission. From a stop, do you start in 1st and shift up as you go or will it shift for you if you keep it in first the whole time? Sorry guys, I really am a newb with this auto transmission, I don't want to break my tranny by being stupid. Any advice is welcome!

**jimmybling31** · 02-22-2008, 11:21 PM

i downshift it to 2nd for a 35 roll but i normally end up spinning bad.

**02WS6dream** · 02-22-2008, 11:31 PM

in 2nd? that's what it downshifts too anyway if you punch it in OD at 35.... If you were to shift to 1, and it allowed it (that's right at the threshold), it would spin but be pegged on rev limiter and lose any time you gained. From what i have read, anyone that drag races their A4's does it in OD. Otherwise they get rev-limiter bounces.

**Jumper** · 02-23-2008, 05:21 AM

Gears and a converter will fix that dead spot! They were two of the best mods that I have done, besides the cam

**slims00ls1z28** · 02-23-2008, 07:28 AM

What gears do you have? If you had the 2.73's on a 35 it should have dropped to first which might have induced wheelspin, mine always did from any roll 35-50mph and 50 was a dead spot. 3.23's would probably put the dead spot right there at 35. Generally for rolls leave it in od. Also check and make sure your floor mat wasn't preventing WOT I had that problem once.

**02WS6dream** · 02-23-2008, 10:29 AM

What gears do you have? If you had the 2.73's on a 35 it should have dropped to first which might have induced wheelspin, mine always did from any roll 35-50mph and 50 was a dead spot. 3.23's would probably put the dead spot right there at 35.

oops... didn't think about different gears. I have 3.23's and don't catch 1st at 35-40; i catch the bottom of 2nd and the dead spot. i would love a convertor once i get my tranny working.

**slims00ls1z28** · 02-24-2008, 05:52 AM

need to up or lower your roll punch with the 3.23's then that dead spot will get ya. A stall would work wonders though no dead spots in any gear.

**mghawk57** · 02-24-2008, 12:29 PM

35 mph the shift can go either way - 3rd or down to 2nd - but most of the time only to 3rd - here's another vote for a good stall - good luck!

**d_p1x1** · 02-24-2008, 08:16 PM

Yeah it looks like a stall converter is definitely the first mod on my list then! So dropping the transmission to a lower gear while moving at that speed is harmful? Or pointless?

**Demon_Z28** · 02-24-2008, 08:20 PM

2.73's from 30 to 40 it catches hard, dead spot at 50 but start pulling hard again at 55. Keep it in OD, 1st gear will cause will spin, and my 2nd gear doesnt do anything 3rd gear does though.

**mghawk57** · 02-25-2008, 03:57 AM

pointless!

**02blkws6** · 02-26-2008, 02:08 AM

I only race from a dig and at the track. I won't put slicks on the street and with street tires the tires break loose at anything up to 45 on motor and haven't tested with the bottle yet since the I had the cam install.