How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

[Daktari]

Hi there,

This question is related to the thread about the Borla exhaust option.

Just out of interest, I was wondering how many folks with Retro Birds use the semi-manual overide on the transmission on a regular basis?

Personally, I tried it when we first got the car just to test it out. It works fine but the auto seems to work pretty good too and because of the nice, relaxed, touring nature of the car, I use the auto most of the time.

I do switch into manual mode sometimes when driving down a steep mountain road just to force it to stay in a slightly lower gear for engine breaking, - saves the brakes a bit.

I seem to remember that some of the folks who have the Borlas fitted use the manual overide to allow the car to reach higher revs where some of the extra h.p that the Borlas provide might be found.

6,000 revs is very high though. Do many folks force their birds to rev that high?

Call me curious Gordon.

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I use the manual overide often. I keep it on auto when not in the mood but like to use the gears when in a cruise with other members, in traffic, windy roads, inclines, any time I want more control without using the brake. I use the brakes as a last resort. Drives my wife crazy because she doesn't know if I have control or just do not see the reason to brake. I do not have Borlas or any modified exhaust or air intake. I do not over rev. I was taught as a kid to use the gears rather than the brakes to prolong brake life. I was also taught not to touch the brake when going over a rut to keep the suspension soft. Brakes are always a last resort with me.

[Ray]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Brakes are always a last resort with me.

Same with my wife......

[islandtime]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I was also taught not to touch the brake when going over a rut to keep the suspension soft.

I was told that as well back in the early 60's when learning how to drive (also going over railroad tracks).

I've been using the manual on Moondoggie on open stretches (but not revving) just because the Borlas sound so good that way (top down). I rarely, if ever, use it on Goldilocks. A drawback...my left foot keeps looking for a clutch pedal!

[Daktari]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Hi there,

" Using the brakes as a last resort".

That sounds a little over the top to me but each to his/her own I guess.

This car comes with four wheel disc brakes so I think it's a good idea to use them once in a while, usually to aid in slowing down or even stopping..

I think there's quite a big difference between 'engine braking' to help the brakes when going down a steep hill and using the transmission and engine in general instead of the brakes.

I think it's slightly false economy to use the engine and transmission instead of the brakes. Afterall, it's a lot less expensive to replace brake pads than it is the transmission or engine.

Just my humble opinion.

P.S. Manual shifting is the norm in most European countries and usually it's sales reps who drive the most automatics. I had never driven an automatic car until I came over here eight years ago and now it's hard to change back to stick shifting.

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Same with my wife......

TOO FUNNY RAY!!

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I humbly disagree with you Gordon. Dropping a gear and putting the engine to 4,000 RPM is no more strain on the way down than it is on the way up. Just using the laws of nature to slow down.

[WLW]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I have used the auto/shift alot on just about every vehicle I have ever had. I don't actually use it that much on the T-Bird as I drive it very conservatively but on the Jag S-Type it gets used alot. I like to keep it in the gear that is running comfortably about 3-4 grand when going thru any sharp turns to keep the rear wheels pushing, rhather than dragging. One cautionary note - when using engine breaking make sur the guy behind you isn't running up your butt 'cause without the brake lights they have no idea that you're slowing down. Happy Birding WLW

[Daktari]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Hello again,

I absolutely agree with you Nick. I guess 4,000 revs is 4,000 revs changing up or changing down. The thing is though, if someone is constantly doing this to slow down, it means the engine is hitting that 4,000 rev area twice as often as if just hitting it when speeding up.

That it what I was meaning earlier. That method is putting more pressure on the transmission and engine rather than letting the brakes do their share. To lose that energy of forward momentum, it's gonna cause heat and friction somewhere and that's what the braking system is designed to do.
Like I said earlier, brakes are designed to wear and be replaced but it costs a lot more to replace the transmission and engine parts if that gets prematurely worn out. (Not to mention your wife's nerves).

All the best, Gordon

[OhioBird04]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Ray, liked your shot of the lady in the battered 70s Monte Carlo. I envision a WalMart parking lot and the Chevy's radio blaring "Dueling Banjos," or maybe "Ride of the Valkyrie!"

[Harry's Platinum 04]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I occasionally use the manual mode in normal driving but it demonstrated it's purpose and worked like a champ last September going up and down Pikes Peak --you drive 18-19 miles around the mountain to go up over 14000 feet. With the manual mode, I held second and third gear ( occasionally back to first) going and coming--The rangers strongly suggest that you use lower gears on this road especially coming down to save your brakes. When they checked my brake temp at the half way point coming down they were only 150-160 deg F since the engine/ transmission was doing most of the braking --the T-Bird didn't seem to mind running at 3-4000 rpm for much of that ride.
Harry

[Skozzy]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I dont even have that option! Ordered mine with out it! Oh and Ray I love that photo! I really like the 69 Chevelle in the back ground!

[My Raven]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Gordon, why don't you set up a poll?

As to your question, No. I have never used it on either car.

[Daktari]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Hi there,

Well Joe, I had thought of a poll on this but I figured I might get a bit more detailed answers by just asking the question.

What I'm intrigued by is not just how many T-Birders use the manual overide but when, and for what reasons. The main reason I can think of is obviously to allow the engine to rev higher than it would when set in auto mode. Because the gain in h.p. when fitted with the Borla system only occurs at pretty high revs, I was wondering if the Borla drivers are allowing their cars to rev very high to try and gain some of that extra h.p.

Remebering that at more normal rev levels, (up to around 4,500ish), the stock exhaust provides more h.p. and more torque. I think sometimes just reading figures on paper can be misleading. On a lot of new cars with multi valve engines, the h.p. specs look very impressive until you realize that the h.p. they quote isn't reached until some sky high r.p.m. which in most day to day driving, even fast day to day driving, are never reached. I think if it feels good to drive, that's what counts and I would guess that the difference in sound from fitting the Borlas goes a long way towards that 'feelgood' factor rather than an out and out increase in performance.

The answers to these kind of questions wouldn't really be answered by a straight pole.

(Besides that, I'm way behind on the technicalities of computering so I wouldn't be knowing where to start).

Interesting though, Gordon.

[AntarcticDave]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Well, I somtimes use it on twisty mountain roads for fun, but there are two places I always use it. Both are residential streets with a 20 mph limit, downhill, with speed traps. I drop it to manual and down to second gear rather than ride the brakes through.

In winter driving I sometimes use it to start in second, or rarely in third gear when things get really slick.