How do I make this automatic faster?

[scootersbellissimo]

I have a 1980 Spider, tuned up and running pretty good but is a dog off the line. Once I get it up to speed it goes, but off the line, SAD! Any advice,??

[So Cal Mark]

put in a diff from a manual trans car

[vandor]

Carbureted or Fuel Injected?

Csaba
Auto Ricambi
http://www.autoricambi.us

[ITA124]

Put a manual in it and side step the clutch at 5000 rpm

[maytag]

Put a manual in it and side step the clutch at 5000 rpm

great idea!
My wife and I love Yard Sales too!

[MNspiderman]

Your car isn't going to take off very well when it doesn't take off in the power range. With an automatic your never going to be able to take off in the power range. Unless you find a chevette that had a stall converter or have one made which I doubt is financially practical for a spider.

[maytag]

Your car isn't going to take off very well when it doesn't take off in the power range. With an automatic your never going to be able to take off in the power range. Unless you find a chevette that had a stall converter or have one made which I doubt is financially practical for a spider.

Actually, that's not a horrible idea.

We used to mess around with variable / dual range TC's. As a matter of fact, Buick used to have what was called a "Switch-Pitch" TC. The term fell out of popularity after that movei "BrokeBack Mountain". The idea of it was that when you mashed the throttle, it energized a solenoid, changing the pitch of the vanes in the TC to allow a higher-stall, and when you eased-off, it would switch back to a lower stall.

I know that we used to have stall speed modified in a standard TC for less than $250. This was 20 yrs ago, but I'm guessing that it could probably still be done inexpensively. Get in your yello-pages for where you live and try the local speed shops or transmission houses.
A quick google finds this:
http://www.jmousa.com/us/flash/frame/ma ... index.html

[brad131a4]

Like what was said earlier install a 5speed rear end. As your rear end has a 3.45 ring and pinion . A 5speed has either a 3.90 or a 4.11 ring and pinion. You install one of those and you will have no problem getting up to speed. If you where closer to me I have a rear end from a car I tore down I'd swap you for yours as I'm looking for a auto tranny rear end. For the rest of you keep your minds out of the gutter

[spiderrey]

to late,

[dadgilles]

Like what was said earlier install a 5speed rear end. As your rear end has a 3.45 ring and pinion . A 5speed has either a 3.90 or a 4.11 ring and pinion. You install one of those and you will have no problem getting up to speed. If you where closer to me I have a rear end from a car I tore down I'd swap you for yours as I'm looking for a auto tranny rear end. For the rest of you keep your minds out of the gutter

Hey there!
I have a couple of automatics, '79 and '80. They belong to my Air Force kid and they are just too slow. Can you tell me how to identify the "4.11 ring and pinion" and where I would ask someone for it? I live in Tacoma and he in Colorado. If I could bring his car to him and it effortlessly makes it to 70 mph I think I could get my superman image back and he could drive the freeway down there without being a danger.
thanks.
dadgilles.

[rlux4]

Put a manual in it and side step the clutch at 5000 rpm

Does this only work in automatic tranny cars? I have two manuals, a Clymers and a Brooklands. I tried putting them both in the car and it didn't make one iota of difference.
Ron

[Europa]

Put a manual in it and side step the clutch at 5000 rpm

Does this only work in automatic tranny cars? I have two manuals, a Clymers and a Brooklands. I tried putting them both in the car and it didn't make one iota of difference.
Ron

Ron, you have to follow the instructions... did you side step the clutch at 5000 RPM?

[rlux4]

Follow the instructions? Now there's a novel concept.
Ron

[jefftegeder]

Like what was said earlier install a 5speed rear end. As your rear end has a 3.45 ring and pinion . A 5speed has either a 3.90 or a 4.11 ring and pinion. You install one of those and you will have no problem getting up to speed. If you where closer to me I have a rear end from a car I tore down I'd swap you for yours as I'm looking for a auto tranny rear end. For the rest of you keep your minds out of the gutter

Hey there!
I have a couple of automatics, '79 and '80. They belong to my Air Force kid and they are just too slow. Can you tell me how to identify the "4.11 ring and pinion" and where I would ask someone for it? I live in Tacoma and he in Colorado. If I could bring his car to him and it effortlessly makes it to 70 mph I think I could get my superman image back and he could drive the freeway down there without being a danger.
thanks.
dadgilles.

Don't forget the downside on swaping the rear end on your automatics. Putting in a 3.90 or 4.11 is going to make it wind out even worse at highway speeds. I am trying to figure out a way to put in a four-speed automatic in mine to replace the three that it sadly came with...

[baltobernie]

Can you tell me how to identify the "4.11 ring and pinion" and where I would ask someone for it?

Stenciled on the diff, under the grime, are two numbers; the pinion and ring gear tooth count. In this case, a 3.90 ratio



The 4.11 would be marked 10/41. I'd advertise for someone looking to swap axles. My 1973 had a 4:11 and it would wear me out on the highway. A friend has a twin IDF 2-litre with 5-speed and the 3.45 diff. I know Mark's not a fan of this setup, but 1st gear is now actually usable, and he' s turning 3500rpm at 75 mph. Maybe not the correct axle for a smogged automatic, but a great choice for a powerful 5-speed. Hang on to that 3.45, it'll be valuable. Or drive to Baltimore, and I'll trade you!