auto tranny racing

[SLIK4]

i had this topic on hear before the hack and i don't see any others on here so...i am very interested in racing in my local scca club but my yaris sedan has an auto tranny. i know to put it in 2nd and leave it there same as in a manual but i was wondering if there is any advise that can be given to a new racer and anything specific to auto trannys that can help give me faster times. thanx

[cleong]

Fit an oil cooler to help keep your tranny fluid cool. Heat is an autobox torque converter's enemy.

[SLIK4]

bump

[cali yaris]

^ that is the only advice specific to auto trans. Everything else is the same: remove as much weight as possible, rear sway bar and tires tires tires.

[Tamago]

^ that is the only advice specific to auto trans. Everything else is the same: remove as much weight as possible, rear sway bar and tires tires tires.

don't remove any weight unless you want to be bumped to SM class with 500-600hp cars that arrive trailered on huge slicks.

here's Carlos's yaris, PG test mule, and he's Automatic..

http://www.youtube.com/salloroc20#play/uploads/7/2C8X2hk_lB4

car moves just fine, just gotta remember to keep it in the lower gears most of the course, or you're fighting the balky torque convertor.

[SLIK4]

thanks for the help everyone :thumbsup:

[cali yaris]

Besides the competitive aspect (how you placed on a list), which I understand, what is the concern about what class you get placed in? Auto X is one car on the track at a time?

The OP wants faster times; maybe he can comment on whether class is important to him; I'd be interested in everyone's comments on that.

[Tamago]

Besides the competitive aspect (how you placed on a list), which I understand, what is the concern about what class you get placed in? Auto X is one car on the track at a time?

The OP wants faster times; maybe he can comment on whether class is important to him; I'd be interested in everyone's comments on that.

if the OP wants to be competitive he'll stick to the rules of his specific class..

STS, FSP and HS are the usual choices. SM is not a place you want to be, if you want to bring home points in your class for the season.

if you're out there to have fun, do whatever you want, but don't expect to see your car anywhere NEAR the top half of the PAX list.

[bearda]

For most autocross courses the main thing that puts you at a disadvantage with an automatic is the slightly higher drivetrain loss than a manual. You can't do anything about that anyway, so don't worry about it. Depending on the car the taller gears in a 4-speed automatic can put you at a slight advantage in places a short-geared 6 speed can be forced to shift into 3rd, but that's REALLY rare.

How hard is the 4-speed Yaris automatic on trans fluid? I know my Mazda3 will burn the fluid every chance it gets, but I've driven it a lot harder and put more miles on it than the Yaris (which is just now hitting 12k miles). Check the ATF every once and a while and make sure you aren't going too far beyond it's happy temps.

As for weight, it's a good idea to remove your spare, jack, and anything else you've got even if it doesn't have to come out for tech. It's FWD, so weight over the rear wheels isn't going to be doing you any favors anyway.

[Zefoxe]

You can try out some synthetic tranny fluid, might help it run a lil smoother