Driving an automatic WRX

DaHowie · 04-30-2001, 08:51 AM

<FONT face="Arial">Here is a tip for those that have an auto WRX.

It seems that some don't know how to race an automatic tranny.

They key to quick launches and good 0-60 times is to pre-load the transmission.

What you do is when you want to race from a standing start, stand on the brake (hold it hard to the floor). At the same time, push the accelerator pedal down (do NOT floor the accelerator) to pre-load the torque converter and put a load on the engine (boost only comes up when a load is on the engine). You want as many RPM as you can without inching forward on the brakes.

When the light goes green, simultaneously release the brake and punch the accelerator. this should get you into boost much quicker.

BEWARE
This will build up heat in the transmission. I do not recommend doing this more than a few times in a row. Allow the engine/transmission to return to normal operating temperatures by driving around normally for about 15 minutes.</FONT f>

[This message has been edited by DaHowie (edited April 30, 2001).]

ejicon · 04-30-2001, 10:21 AM

sounds good to me... I don't race or anything, but the info is good to know. Thanks
-Ells

John2.5RS · 05-01-2001, 08:07 PM

Get a tranny oil cooler.

Aspen_2.5RS · 05-01-2001, 08:43 PM

Shouldn't this be in the WRX forum?

Dang, look at me, I'm still a newbie and I'm talking trash....lol. Kinda common knowledge though.
Later.

Cam

garface · 05-01-2001, 09:47 PM

Brake stands or torque braking. Works good on my RS. Just doing it to 2500 shoots my cell phone from in front of the shifter to the back seat.

ivbdn · 05-01-2001, 09:50 PM

You'd think that that would be common knowledge, but alas, it isn't.

IMPREZA GUY · 05-01-2001, 09:51 PM

dayam yo! my dad told me this is how to race hahah, i guess its a world known thing, especially since he use to street race in teh 70's with some muscle cars

inpreza kid · 05-01-2001, 10:42 PM

i've done this a few times with my auto tranny. isn't it bad for it or something like that mainly because of the AWD system?

pretz · 05-02-2001, 12:45 AM

i don't know if this is incidental or what... after i did it a few times, i have to get my master brake cylinder rebuilt.

u have been warned.

ivbdn · 05-02-2001, 01:50 AM

pretz -

I think it's incidental. I've done it many times and so far haven't had any problems, but thanks for the warning

.

TurboDude390 · 05-02-2001, 05:44 AM

If you waiting until the "Green" light comes on at the Drag Strip, you are way late. Leave when the last "Amber" light comes on. This should help you get better reaction times but it all takes pratice.

chrisj · 05-02-2001, 07:11 AM

FYI - This action is called "Flashing the Convertet"

Subie Gal · 05-02-2001, 07:33 AM

better add a tranny cooler and an oil cooler quick if ya are gonna do that to your AT....

trust me

j. www.subiegal.com

DaHowie · 05-02-2001, 08:31 AM

Tranny Cooler is a must on any performance car with an auto transmission.

One can be installed within a couple of hours.

ForesterPerformance · 05-02-2001, 10:54 AM

Funny how the RS with AT doesn't come with a tranny cooler, but the Forester AT does?

heheheh!

glenstiles · 05-02-2001, 02:08 PM

Yikes! I dunno how different the 4EAT on the WRX is compared to the SVX, but they are pumping out about the same hp- 230 or so, with that much torque in an AWD platform- and the SVX wieghs what, only 400 lbs more? Heat kills SVX trannies, and a lot of us are running tranny coolers and synthetic oil to keep them alive. If Subaru has a big fat tranny cooler on the WRX, you'll be fine, just change the oil often so it won't be cooked and stop lubricating. I would investigate that further before pre-loading the torque convertor on the brake stand lauches. And its easy to add a tranny cooler if the car needs it. The SVX had a flawed factory one that clogged up very easily= overheated tranny= failure, I hope Subaru ironed this out on the Rex.

Glen

04-30-2001, 08:51 AM	#1
DaHowie Scooby Newbie Member#: 5928 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Plano, TX	Driving an automatic WRX <FONT face="Arial">Here is a tip for those that have an auto WRX. It seems that some don't know how to race an automatic tranny. They key to quick launches and good 0-60 times is to pre-load the transmission. What you do is when you want to race from a standing start, stand on the brake (hold it hard to the floor). At the same time, push the accelerator pedal down (do NOT floor the accelerator) to pre-load the torque converter and put a load on the engine (boost only comes up when a load is on the engine). You want as many RPM as you can without inching forward on the brakes. When the light goes green, simultaneously release the brake and punch the accelerator. this should get you into boost much quicker. BEWARE This will build up heat in the transmission. I do not recommend doing this more than a few times in a row. Allow the engine/transmission to return to normal operating temperatures by driving around normally for about 15 minutes.</FONT f> [This message has been edited by DaHowie (edited April 30, 2001).]

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04-30-2001, 10:21 AM	#2
ejicon Scooby Guru Member#: 2452 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Burbank,California, USA Vehicle: 08 2.5 WRX WRB Mica	sounds good to me... I don't race or anything, but the info is good to know. Thanks -Ells

05-01-2001, 08:07 PM	#3
John2.5RS Scooby Guru Member#: 1140 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 98 2.5RS EVO MR grey / CFC #003	Get a tranny oil cooler.

05-01-2001, 08:43 PM	#4
Aspen_2.5RS Scooby Guru Member#: 3310 Join Date: Dec 2000 Chapter/Region: South East Location: SC	Shouldn't this be in the WRX forum? Dang, look at me, I'm still a newbie and I'm talking trash....lol. Kinda common knowledge though. Later. Cam

05-01-2001, 09:47 PM	#5
garface Scooby Guru Member#: 1581 Join Date: Jun 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: yonkers, ny Vehicle: MY00 RS/STi7 MY01 RS Both Silverthorne	Brake stands or torque braking. Works good on my RS. Just doing it to 2500 shoots my cell phone from in front of the shifter to the back seat.

05-01-2001, 09:50 PM	#6
ivbdn Scooby Specialist Member#: 2736 Join Date: Oct 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles, CA US Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5RS Aspen White	You'd think that that would be common knowledge, but alas, it isn't.

05-01-2001, 09:51 PM	#7
IMPREZA GUY Scooby Specialist Member#: 4119 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Somewhere in NE Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS BRP RIP 2002 WRX aspen white	dayam yo! my dad told me this is how to race hahah, i guess its a world known thing, especially since he use to street race in teh 70's with some muscle cars

05-01-2001, 10:42 PM	#8
inpreza kid Scooby Specialist Member#: 3334 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada	i've done this a few times with my auto tranny. isn't it bad for it or something like that mainly because of the AWD system?

05-02-2001, 12:45 AM	#9
pretz Scooby Newbie Member#: 4434 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Burnaby, Vancouver	i don't know if this is incidental or what... after i did it a few times, i have to get my master brake cylinder rebuilt. u have been warned.

05-02-2001, 01:50 AM	#10
ivbdn Scooby Specialist Member#: 2736 Join Date: Oct 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles, CA US Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5RS Aspen White	pretz - I think it's incidental. I've done it many times and so far haven't had any problems, but thanks for the warning .

05-02-2001, 05:44 AM	#11
TurboDude390 Scooby Newbie Member#: 3120 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA	If you waiting until the "Green" light comes on at the Drag Strip, you are way late. Leave when the last "Amber" light comes on. This should help you get better reaction times but it all takes pratice.

05-02-2001, 07:11 AM	#12
chrisj Scooby Newbie Member#: 582 Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Jacksonville, FL Vehicle: 1999 Impreza RS Aspen White	FYI - This action is called "Flashing the Convertet"

05-02-2001, 07:33 AM	#13
Subie Gal GC84Ever Super Moderator Member#: 301 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: WA Vehicle: 2001 2.5 RS 02 WRX Wagon Rally Car	better add a tranny cooler and an oil cooler quick if ya are gonna do that to your AT.... trust me j. www.subiegal.com

05-02-2001, 08:31 AM	#14
DaHowie Scooby Newbie Member#: 5928 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Plano, TX	Tranny Cooler is a must on any performance car with an auto transmission. One can be installed within a couple of hours.

05-02-2001, 10:54 AM	#15
ForesterPerformance Scooby Specialist Member#: 5424 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: not where you are... Vehicle: BRP STi Version 3 Type RA V-Ltd RHD	Funny how the RS with AT doesn't come with a tranny cooler, but the Forester AT does? heheheh!

05-02-2001, 02:08 PM	#16
glenstiles Scooby Newbie Member#: 2827 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Woodland, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon Silver, baby, silver	Yikes! I dunno how different the 4EAT on the WRX is compared to the SVX, but they are pumping out about the same hp- 230 or so, with that much torque in an AWD platform- and the SVX wieghs what, only 400 lbs more? Heat kills SVX trannies, and a lot of us are running tranny coolers and synthetic oil to keep them alive. If Subaru has a big fat tranny cooler on the WRX, you'll be fine, just change the oil often so it won't be cooked and stop lubricating. I would investigate that further before pre-loading the torque convertor on the brake stand lauches. And its easy to add a tranny cooler if the car needs it. The SVX had a flawed factory one that clogged up very easily= overheated tranny= failure, I hope Subaru ironed this out on the Rex. Glen