SHIFTING?

[RETROBIRD]

Here is a question i have not seen addressed in our forums. How many of you slip your automatic transmission lever over to the manual side? I have tried it a couple of times myself but am not comfortable doing it. I have this fear of damaging the trani. I have heard from some people that you really can't do it any harm and that it will shift itself before it does any damage. I don't know how true that is. So how many BIRDER'S DO IT,OR NOT....................?

[Borla Babe]

Re: SHIFTING?

Lots of people do it here Walt. I have done it myself many times, and I love the Borla sound! Keep a close eye on that tachometer.
I too would like to know if it will "shift itself before it does any damage"?

[Bryan Sloop]

Re: SHIFTING?

I would hope it does not do damage the tranni, however, I keep my radio off and focus my attention to the motor and tach, then shift accordingly.

I was reading somewhere, I thought it was the owner's manual on how doing this actually helps in the programming of the transmission.

[donfox]

Re: SHIFTING?

I shift manually pretty much all the time. Our engines have a rev-limiter, so you can't really harm the engine by over-revving. On occasion for my convenience, I'll just drive around town with the trans in D4. But most of the time I shift manually. If it harms the transmission, that's what the warranty is for. Ford included the manual capability, we may as well use it.
When I was new at using the SelectShift feature, I was very cautious and afraid of the whole procedure. Now, I can tell you from personal experience, it makes driving much more fun for me. If you want to check out the Birds performance it's a great way to go.

And it really makes the Borlas growl.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: SHIFTING?

It won't shift itself, just won't over rev so it bogs !

[Borla Babe]

Re: SHIFTING?

It won't shift itself, just won't over rev so it bogs !

That makes sense John, thanks.

[yelobird2002]

Re: SHIFTING?

Manually shift once in awhile, but the 2002 does not have the select shift like the 03 - 05 models making it a little harder.

[hammer55]

Re: SHIFTING?

do it all the time, love the sound, and down shift too

[CMCruisn]

Re: SHIFTING?

Mine's a daily driver, and with the hills here I use the select shift to hold me back going down hills. Works fine, lags just a second before downshifting tho.

[My Raven]

Re: SHIFTING?

I guess I am the odd man out : Never did it with The Raven and won't with Money Penny either.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: SHIFTING?

Prior to the Thunderbird, I had a Volkswagen that had the Tiptronic Automatic where you could manually shift it. I tried it a few times but never really saw the point of shifting an automatic.

It doesn't yield the same result in terms of performance or sense of control as shifting a car with a manual transmission in my opinion.

I just like to cruise the Thunderbird.

[V8 Cat]

Re: SHIFTING?

Takes too much concentration off the road for me to use the select shift. I'm too busy looking for other cars and the police when I'm racing FUNDERMAN in his Tbird. I don't have time to look at "no stinking tach". I do use it going down hills or mountain roads. Also there is a big spacing between 2nd and 3rd gear so when you are down shifting you can almost hit the rev limiter.

[THHNDR]

Re: SHIFTING?

I use it on windy canyon roads to keep my foot off the brake peddle in the curves. Also use it all the time when getting on the freeway...easier to control the power band while beginning acceleration without having to mash down on the peddle.

[Johnny Gumballs]

Re: SHIFTING?

I did it when I first got the car. I do not do it at all anymore.

[SR-71]

Re: SHIFTING?

I use select shift now and then for fun. Also comes in handy when the occasional punk pulls up next to you in a fins-all-over-the-place-neon-painted-with-a-fart-can street racer, revving his engine to "race the old dude." I feel it's important now and then to educate today's youth on the value of an American V8.

Cheers,

Kevin