Can You Add a Turbo to an Automatic Car
- #1
This is a very dumb (more then likely) two part question. I've always pondered this as I see people who like to modify cars (and who are generally middle and upper class teenagers who are spending dad's money) but what affect would the added horsepower gain of a Turbo/Supercharger have on a car with an automatic transmission? Would the transmission be able to handle the added power? Maybe I'm overestimating the power added by engine modification or are totally ignorant to how autos work, but its a question I've always wanted an answer to.
- #3
Automatic transmissions can handle the power when properly modified no problem. Nearly all of the fastest drag cars run automatics.
So then I guess I'm totally ignorant to how they work, lol. :lol:
maybe I should read into that...
Cheers for the answer, though.
thedguy
rides with Rebecca Black.. in the back
- #5
When it comes to turbos, automatics are superior. The faster supra's tend to run TH-350 or TH-400's out of GM cars and trucks. The thing with automatics is you can keep a load on the engine, which allows the turbos to build boost. To do that on a manual would trash your clutch, but on the automatic you're just heating oil. The wider gearing (those trannies only have 3 speeds) also puts more load on the engine.
The other thing is, a built automatic is extremely fast shifting, if you ever get a chance to ride in a car with one, you'll then ponder why all the manufacturers are putting so much effort into making these double clutch jobs work.
Lastly, back in the 60's guys racers didn't have the advantage of custom tailored torque converters and the old manual transmissions were weak under the torque of highly modified big block v8's. What they started doing was converting them to use a clutch, and do the tricks needed to make the trans shift faster. On a rare occasion you'll see this mod done on oval/circle track cars running old 2 speed powerglides.
- #7
My friends 1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Impala clone is running 400HP through a 4L60E, its a nice transmission.
- #9
It all depends on how much power you're looking to add and what transmission you have. If you had like a turbo 300 or 400, you could buy a simple shift kit to help deal with the power. Most automatics are designed to slip when they shift, which makes for a nice smooth ride but increases wear on the tranny, and the shift kit makes them a bit firmer. There are companies that will build up a transmission for you depending on what your needs are.
Sometimes a stock transmission can handle big increases in power without any tweaking at all. The transmission in my car is a 4T65E-HD, it's a slightly beefed up version of the 4T65E that gets mated with standard 3800's and other engines around the same power. But I've heard of people getting more power out of their NA 3800 and having no problems with the tranny. The HD version goes with higher power stuff like the SC 3800 and LS4, and again I've heard stories of upping things a bit and still having zero problems with the stock tranny.
- #11
As owner of both an automatic and a manual (no bias) i can vouch for that, all the quick cars are autos. A botched gearchange with 1,500 horsepower would be a very expensive disaster.
Ask around, take it to a transmission shop and have it built up a bit and a stall put in, and you'll be fine with any power increase.
- #13
I have a question about auto trans too. For manual cars usually the clutch is upgraded to handle more power (up to the point of gear failure of course), so what needs to be upgraded that's equivalent to a clutch upgrade? An upgraded torque converter? Thanks.
- #15
Doesn't change the fact that an auto is a lazy and boring way to drive.
thedguy
rides with Rebecca Black.. in the back
- #19
I have a question about auto trans too. For manual cars usually the clutch is upgraded to handle more power (up to the point of gear failure of course), so what needs to be upgraded that's equivalent to a clutch upgrade? An upgraded torque converter? Thanks.
Along with what the other guys mentioned, really high hp stuff will look into changing the clutch bands in the transmission to something a little beefier (I believe the current trend is to use Kevlar bands/clutches).
Doesn't change the fact that an auto is a lazy and boring way to drive.
Drive an automatic with a full manual valve body and the only difference is a lack of clutch pedal. All shifts are manually controlled. You can even rev-match your downshifts. Though since I haven't driven one myself, I couldn't tell you why or how.
Can You Add a Turbo to an Automatic Car
Source: https://forums.finalgear.com/threads/turbochargers-superchargers-and-automatic-transmissions.27578/