8 Speed Automatic

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Has anyone seen the new Lexus LS yet? Besides the fact that the car parallel parks itself, it sports an 8 speed automatic tranny. I found that noteworthy. A6s are old news already...

[PhillipM]

All that crap sounds expensive WHEN it breaks!!

[ProStreet R/T]

seems pretty damn useless imo. We'll have to see how it is to drive, I fear it will be one that is on a constant search for the right gear.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

All that crap sounds expensive WHEN it breaks!!

Oh yeah, LOL. The more electronic crap they put on these cars, the quicker they break. A guy I know is a Mercedes tech, he says every year they have more and more problems due to all the added electronics.

[68sixspeed]

Also, GM just trademarked "8 speed"; so look for that in the future.. probably on a caddy or something like that. (who knows how long with the way they work!)

[Steve Chryssos]

The way I see it, if you don't know how to parallel park, you shouldn't be driving a sports sedan. Get yourself an Edsel.

[Madspeed]

The way I see it, if you don't know how to parallel park, you shouldn't be driving a sports sedan. Get yourself an Edsel.

Or bus pass and some comfy walkin shoes

[DeltaT]

At some point you might as well go to one of those CVT's(Continuously Variable Transmission). There's got to be a point of diminishing returns...

Jim

[Ralph LoGrasso]

At some point you might as well go to one of those CVT's(Continuously Variable Transmission). There's got to be a point of diminishing returns...

Jim

I agree on the diminishing returns with the autos. BUT, I can see the benefit of a 7 speed manual. You'd have 6 real close-ratio forward gears and one overdrive for the mpg on the highway.

[Steve Chryssos]

No, the benefits of these new 6, 7, 8 speed automatics is that the computer can select which of the gears to choose from. They don't necessarily use all eight gears. They might skip certain gears and instead just choose the right gear for every situation.

Kinda like a chinese menu.

[DeltaT]

Would it also leave you hungry for more 2 hours later?

J

[ShawnF]

I have the new GS Lexus with a six speed auto and love it. The car is so smooth and 100mph is not even 3000rpm. My dad and I drove from Phx to Las Vegas and even at 125mph the car was getting 25-27 mpg so I could only imagine what the new LS could do with the eight speed and 100 more horses(torque). Yes, I do agree the parallel parking is a little overkill but their cars are a pleasure to own and drive and in my opinion a bargain. The one thing with lexus is they don't break if you take care of them and if they do they will take care of you. Sure things can happen but they are an incredible car in everyway. In my opinion Detroit could study up and learn some things from Toyota (Lexus) and maybe they wouldn't have to give cars away.

[ProTouring442]

In my opinion Detroit could study up and learn some things from Toyota (Lexus) and maybe they wouldn't have to give cars away.

Yeah, marketing! My '96 SSEi has 100K with no problems, my previous Bonneville had 200K and all I ever replaced (other than normal maint.) was an alternator and a master cylinder. My dad has gone through several GM wagons, all of which went 100K or 200K with no problems...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[Steve Chryssos]

Would it also leave you hungry for more 2 hours later?
J

Yes.

[Steve Chryssos]

Well it's official: The first 6/8 speed manumatics for Hot Rods are now available. Consists of a 4 speed electronic automatic (4L60E or 4L80E), a GV unit, Bowler electronics and valve body and our paddle shifter. Mark's electronics allow you to actuate both gear changes and gear splits from our paddle shifter--so you don't need to reach down to do the gear splits. Your hands never leave the steering wheel.

With the gear selector in D (3rd gear) you have a 6 speed with engine braking. And with the selector in OD (4th), you have an 8 speed w/o engine braking. As you can imagine, the 6/8 is not cheap. Do the math: Trans, GV. Computer, Paddle Shifter, etc.....

Expect our SEMA 2007 show car to be equipped with the 6/8 Manumatic behind a twin turbo LS1.

[shanekennedy]

the gear vendors unit alone is priecier than the tranny

i would expect the 6sp autos to start showing up @ the salvage yards next year for much less

[Steve Chryssos]

Believe me, I would prefer to adapt a factory six speed. But I've been told that the computer will not easily adapt to our hot rods at the present time. It is not a nut and bolt proposition. Software for the clutch to clutch design must be custom tailored for each application. And that software is complex. Because the calibration does not match the specs of your hot rod (i.e. car/engine/gear/tire dia combination) it will supposedly frag or at best, not work very well. I expect the guy who closely matches his build to the specs of a C6 vette might get it to work. That means a bone stock LS2 with same final drive gear, tire dia, vehicle weight, etc. And even then we do not know if the TCU is connected to the ABS, traction control, throttle by wire and maybe even the cigarette lighter.

Until we have the tools to recalibrate the 6L80E, don't hold your breath for a factory 6 speed manumatic. I hope I'm wrong. No one wants it to happen more than I do. In the meantime--as hot rodders--we have devised an alternative with the 6/8.

[shanekennedy]

thought hptuners now offered control for th 6speed

[Steve Chryssos]

Yup. In your factory application. Not a standalone controller to be adapted to old hot rods. I'll contact them to confirm.

[Steve Chryssos]

Here is what I asked:

Good morning,
I receive numerous requests asking if your tuner can be used to retrofit a 6L80E to an older application such as a 68 Camaro.
Thank you for your time
/Steve