3rd to 2nd in SST.. Does this sound right?

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Archer28

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Here in the mountains I love to play with my 03V8P in SST mode (and it helps with brake pads!).

I do have a concern with 3rd to 2nd though. My local dealer told me it was just the nature of the beast, but when I downshift from 3rd to 2nd, it feels as though the car goes to neutral for a second, freewheels (actually seems to speed up going downhill) then catches 2nd. Takes longer than the other shifts...

Other shifts seem fine. Is it just the nature of the tranny or should I get something done before my warranty goes out?

Thanks!
 
Mine does the exact same thing. I've really only noticed it at low rates of speed though. Say when I'm pulling in my subdivision, or pulling up to a stop sign. I have noticed that my car seems to perform better if you don't downshift into 2 until your at 20 MPH or below. Sometimes you can still feel the hasitation but it's not as bad as the neutral feel just before it slams into 2. I know that's not good on the gears.
 
My 2000 ls8 does the same thing in sst from 3rd to 2nd...it seems to be in neutral for about 1.5 seconds before it catches....I think it is normal
 
I have found the downshifting in SST to be terrible in all gears. Not very crisp to say the least. If i find the need to downshift i usually just throw it back into D5.
 
Doesn't sound "right", but sounds like the norm for the lethargic LS transmission.

WHATEVER you do..do NOT get into a BMW equipped with their version of SST transmission and use it. You will immediately get used to quick, consistent shifts..and will abhor using your LS's SST ever again.

If it's any consolation, the LS transmission (overall) is quite sturdy.
 
I have a 330i with step, and after driving it the LS's tranny feels just plain nasty.
 
my 05 with 11k doesn't have that problem (yet). I know FoMoCo transmissions have had a less than stellar reputation in the past,but I think they greatly improved quality in the last decade (based on my experiences and owners of ford products that I know).

I use SST once in a while,but not to aggressive-after all,it's not a mustang GT with a T5 tremec which is made for abuse!

does anyone know if the SCT flash module could clear up the 3rd to 2nd hesitation?
 
mint05LS said:
does anyone know if the SCT flash module could clear up the 3rd to 2nd hesitation?
Click to expand...

Thats a good question... how about it SCT users?

Thanks for the replies all.
I have to say about the only fun I get from the SST is dropping into 3rd to play on onramps, or through the Appalachian twisties.

Its a shame the SST isn't a bit more responsive, there is a lot of brake-pad-saving torque going to waste.
 
I get the hesitation too in my 02 LSE 48k. I think it's just what happens. The newer guys might not notice, but I definitely notice. I usually don't downshift when I'm in SST, I let it downshift on it's own with the exception of dropping down into 4th to pass on the interstate. A good tranny flush with some high quality synthetic fluid (e.g. Royal Purple, my fav) will make ALL shifts a bit smoother. The SST was a great idea but it's really kind of dumb. I would have much rather had an auto clutch where I choose when to downshift and where I can go through the entire range of gears, but unfortunately we're stuck with that SST POS.
 
my car's been doing that since day one, even if you are at the proper 2nd gear speed in 3rd and make the shift into 2nd, theres a pause and then it clunks hard into 2nd. ls sst is def suck, just leave it in d lol.
 
Remember that the LS tranny is a 3 speed with 1 overdrive used twice (yielding 5 "speeds").
So
1st gear is 1st gear
2nd is really 1st with OD
3rd is 3rd
4th is 4th (1 to 1)
and 5th is 4th with OD.

I think I got that right but if not somone will clear it up.

The issue you are all seeing from 2 to 3 is the fact that 2 shifts have to happen to go from 2 to 3 or 3 to 2. The gear has to change and OD has to be engaged/disengaged depending on if you are up or down shifting. Not a whole lot can be done with the tranny to speed up this process. I will say however that the code in Torries SCT Tunes helps quite a bit in speeding up and firming up the shifts. 2-3 is always bad though...
 
I could be wrong but I noticed that this happens at higher RPMs. I have had it happen when I droped it down in the past to take off on some people and is it possible "ALSO" the fact that it takes so long for the RPM's to drop like when you are trying to just rev it up while in park and at idle?
 
My car did something like this a few nights ago. I don't have SST but it still works the same way I just have to pick the 2 in the line of gears with the shifter. I threw it down into second turning onto an interstate entrance ramp going about 45-50 mph, it did its usual hold on a second I'm busy.....
shift.

But then, thunk, SKREEEECCHH. :eek:
It grabbed onto second gear so fast the engine couldn't rev up fast enough to keep up with the wheels! It was kinda fun, but it scared the carp out of me because I didn't expect it.
I figured out later that the "thunk" was my box of detailing stuff in the trunk tipping over and all of it crashed against the back seat. :p

1st gear is 1st gear
2nd is really 1st with OD
3rd is 3rd
4th is 4th (1 to 1)
and 5th is 4th with OD.
Click to expand...
That could explain why 3rd seems to "pull" better than 2nd?
 
3rd is the BEST gear in the LS! :p I love messin with my friends who think their Hondas are fast. I shift at 5 grand out of 1st and 2nd and let them keep right with me until 3rd gear, then I'm just gone. :p ok [/offtopic]
 
Well it's already been covered but adding my 2 cents on use of SST mode. I agree on the general crappy tranny comments, it's the root shortcoming of this car. Especially on 'kellyo' and 'DunItRight's' comments, the trans has 'gears' that are basically compromises, and while 'kellyo's' comment could be right, I always thought (by the way mine acts) that 2nd and 4th weren't real gears. I get a strange pulsing/hiccup feeling from mine in 4th, not sure if it's a misfire or something with the trans but the dealer refuses to deal with it, saying they can't get it to do it. Car is smooth in 3rd and 5th but in 3K+ rpm in 4th it feels like it misfires or something.

And relating to 3rd, yep, in a lot of situations it proves itself to be pretty useful. In the twisties in the mountains I find it the most used since the shifts down to 2nd leave a bit to be desired.....
 
"...The issue you are all seeing from 2 to 3 is the fact that 2 shifts have to happen to go from 2 to 3 or 3 to 2. The gear has to change and OD has to be engaged/disengaged depending on if you are up or down shifting. Not a whole lot can be done with the tranny to speed up this process. I will say however that the code in Torries SCT Tunes helps quite a bit in speeding up and firming up the shifts. 2-3 is always bad though..."

That would explain why the 1-2 up shift is softer than the 2-3...would it not?


Also, I tend to use third allot as well, especially thru the twisties...
 
my tranny in my LS shifts perfect. i rarely go above 3 grand tho on the tach. it shifts so smooth and perfect, 4th to 5th you can't even feel
 
Yeah but SST or straight auto, its still the same transmission. It still shifts the exact same way regardless of which shifting method you have.
 
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