Automatic Miatas

Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it seems
no one here has fitted any to an Auto.

So has anyone here actually got an Auto?

Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people don't
mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic. The
ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing exactly
how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly on
exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I hate
about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you are
asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you hoped
/ expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to say
you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not smoothly
like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're just
much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to learn on
and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
miss a great opportunity there.

Good luck,
Chris
92BB&T

"gixer" > wrote in message
...
> Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
seems
> no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>
> So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>
>

Color me as a stick bigot

Personally I think the only thing that would be worse than an autmatic Miata
is if they made them with a non-removable hard top !

The car is SO FUN to drive / shift , I just feel like I'm in a go-kart all
the time. My OTM is a Mustang GT, and IT has a slushbox in it. Although it
has the horsepower to overcome the power loss, I still wish IT was a stick
too.

Automatic's are for Cadillacs. REAL sports cars have a S T I C K ! ! ! ! *





*posted in good fun... don't feel the need to flame me


"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
...
> Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
> Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people
don't
> mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
> Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic. The
> ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing exactly
> how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly on
> exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I hate
> about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you are
> asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you
hoped
> / expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
> been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to say
> you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not smoothly
> like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're
just
> much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
> experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to learn
on
> and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
> miss a great opportunity there.
>
> Good luck,
> Chris
> 92BB&T
>
> "gixer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
> seems
> > no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
> >
> > So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
> >
> >
>
>

Hi Chris,

As I've mentioned before I totally agree with you Auto's are crap, no engine
braking, no real control.
Unfortunately due to a disability I have no choice in the matter an auto it
has to be.
The problem is what with the Auto box sapping all that power out of the
system, I am getting to the point where I am getting really bored of little
Corse's 106's leaving me on the straights, on the corners there's no
competition the MX-5 just leaves them, but it gets a little frustrating
having to fight your way through just to have them overtake on every
straight bit of road.
The Auto MX-5 is very rare in Europe, the only way I could find one was as a
Japanese import (Eunos), so the Automatic gearbox spares are like rocking
horse sh*t, I don't want to spend time and money tuning my car only to be
dogged by Auto box reliability problems, as any gearbox problems are going
to mean my car is out of action till I can import a replacement, as I use it
daily any downtime is going to be a major problem.
So I am asking if anyone else here has an auto Miata, MX-5 or Eunos and what
have they experienced in the way of reliability and tuning.
That is unless anyone knows of a nice paddle shift system available for the
Miata.

Cheers.


"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
...
> Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
> Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people
> don't
> mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
> Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic. The
> ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing exactly
> how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly on
> exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I hate
> about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you are
> asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you
> hoped
> / expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
> been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to say
> you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not smoothly
> like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're
> just
> much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
> experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to learn
> on
> and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
> miss a great opportunity there.
>
> Good luck,
> Chris
> 92BB&T
>
> "gixer" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
> seems
>> no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>>
>> So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>>
>>
>
>

Some 25 years ago, while working as a stock boy loading speakers and such
into people's cars, a customer left his Maserati in front of the store for
everyone to notice. Well, notice we did, because we all commented, "What
kind of shmuck buys a Maserati with an automatic?"

I don't think he bought anything before he left...

"Chief_Wiggum" > wrote in message
newsnLRd.107454$mt.22910@fed1read03...
> Color me as a stick bigot
>
> Personally I think the only thing that would be worse than an autmatic
> Miata
> is if they made them with a non-removable hard top !
>
> The car is SO FUN to drive / shift , I just feel like I'm in a go-kart all
> the time. My OTM is a Mustang GT, and IT has a slushbox in it. Although
> it
> has the horsepower to overcome the power loss, I still wish IT was a stick
> too.
>
> Automatic's are for Cadillacs. REAL sports cars have a S T I C K ! ! ! !
> *
>
>
>
>
>
> *posted in good fun... don't feel the need to flame me
>
>
> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
>> Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people
> don't
>> mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
>> Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic. The
>> ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing
>> exactly
>> how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly
>> on
>> exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I
>> hate
>> about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you are
>> asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you
> hoped
>> / expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
>> been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to say
>> you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not smoothly
>> like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're
> just
>> much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
>> experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to learn
> on
>> and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
>> miss a great opportunity there.
>>
>> Good luck,
>> Chris
>> 92BB&T
>>
>> "gixer" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
>> seems
>> > no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>> >
>> > So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

Cool, ya a paddle shift set up would be awesome for you. Keep asking the
question on this newsgroup and at some point you'll find someone that has
done FI on an automatic. For what it's worth, a SC'r generally works pretty
well w/ an automatic. Have you tried searches on forums at miata.net? Or
google searches with miata automatic supercharge, something like that?

Good luck and keep us posted on your quest.

Chris
92BB&T

"gixer" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Chris,
>
> As I've mentioned before I totally agree with you Auto's are crap, no
engine
> braking, no real control.
> Unfortunately due to a disability I have no choice in the matter an auto
it
> has to be.
> The problem is what with the Auto box sapping all that power out of the
> system, I am getting to the point where I am getting really bored of
little
> Corse's 106's leaving me on the straights, on the corners there's no
> competition the MX-5 just leaves them, but it gets a little frustrating
> having to fight your way through just to have them overtake on every
> straight bit of road.
> The Auto MX-5 is very rare in Europe, the only way I could find one was as
a
> Japanese import (Eunos), so the Automatic gearbox spares are like rocking
> horse sh*t, I don't want to spend time and money tuning my car only to be
> dogged by Auto box reliability problems, as any gearbox problems are going
> to mean my car is out of action till I can import a replacement, as I use
it
> daily any downtime is going to be a major problem.
> So I am asking if anyone else here has an auto Miata, MX-5 or Eunos and
what
> have they experienced in the way of reliability and tuning.
> That is unless anyone knows of a nice paddle shift system available for
the
> Miata.
>
> Cheers.
>
>
> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
> > Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people
> > don't
> > mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
> > Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic.
The
> > ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing
exactly
> > how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly
on
> > exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I
hate
> > about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you
are
> > asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you
> > hoped
> > / expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
> > been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to
say
> > you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not
smoothly
> > like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're
> > just
> > much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
> > experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to
learn
> > on
> > and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
> > miss a great opportunity there.
> >
> > Good luck,
> > Chris
> > 92BB&T
> >
> > "gixer" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
> > seems
> >> no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
> >>
> >> So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

There have been many postings regarding the Miata automatics down through
the years on this newsgroup and at the www.miataforum.com . Try doing a
search.

I have driven and enjoyed both types of transmissions over the last 47
years. My 1995 M Edition and my current 1999 LA are both automatics. The
button on the automatic shifter works as a downshift of one gear on the pre
1998 models in all positions. The button downshifts to third and locks out
overdrive on the 1999 and newer automatics. The transmissions are very
durable and can be manually shifted. When held in gear the Miata will do 40
mph in 1st and over 80 mph in second. Because the manual second to third
shift occurs at approximately 59 mph, the automatic has some advantages
around 60 mph. Caution must be used in running at maximum speed in any gear
for an extended period of time. The gears may overheat and transmission
damage can occur.

The autos will handle 250 horsepower without a problem. Flyin' Miata has
installed the FM II turbo on at least three Miatas. You can order a kit for
your car that will turn your automatic into a very impressive performance
car. If necessary, a tranmission shop can modify your transmission to give
harder shifting or a change in the torque converter stall speed.

The automatics are not equipped with a Limited Slip Diff from the factory.
You may want to upgrade the diff on your car with a Torsen to improve
cornering. The stock auto rear end ratio on the 1999 automatic is 4.10 while
the Torsen is a 4.30. The torque increase with the Torsen will be very
apparent if you change out the differential.

Enjoy!



"gixer" > wrote in message
...
> Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
> seems no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>
> So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>

Thanks for the Advice Larry,

I have tried shifting manually but it just gets so frustrating, the up shift
are not a problem, as she shifts at a reasonably high revs anyways, the
problem I find is the lack of engine braking approaching a corner, having
only driven manuals all my life even after 2 years of Autos it still does
not feel right.
Mine is a 1994 V-Spec I had to get a jap Import as Autos are rarer than
honest politicians here.

The FMII Turbo is definitely no good for a 94-97 model as it swaps out the
cars ECU with their Link ECU, as the cars ECU handles the shifting this is
no good, on the 90-93 and the later 99-04 models the Link ECU piggy backs
the cars ECU so no problem.

I also have reservation about a fairly high boost turbo on an automatic, I
do not think it is a good combination, when you kick down a gear there is a
second or so delay where the car will increase it's revs before engaging the
gear, the increase in revs would be just enough to spool up the turbo before
engaging the gear, in my opinion the car would be all over the road even on
the straight, if you were to get that mid corner, adios amigo.

So my opinion is due to the smoother power characteristics and better low
down torque it has to be a supercharger without a doubt.

I have been trying to find a LSD for a while now, all the units I have found
are either for the 1.6 or they are in the states (im in Greece), the same
with finding a good shop to modify/service my Auto transmission, there just
are not any in Greece, they a few in the UK, that are happy servicing these
units but not modifying them, but it seems the states is the only country
that knows what they are talking about when it comes to modifying auto
transmissions, and really don't fancy shipping a auto box the states and
back again.

Hey hold on though there was some bloke bringing his car the Switzerland,
maybe if we put an auto box in the boot and tell customs its a mid engine
sports car?

Cheers.





"Larry Gadbois" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> There have been many postings regarding the Miata automatics down through
> the years on this newsgroup and at the www.miataforum.com . Try doing a
> search.
>
> I have driven and enjoyed both types of transmissions over the last 47
> years. My 1995 M Edition and my current 1999 LA are both automatics. The
> button on the automatic shifter works as a downshift of one gear on the
> pre 1998 models in all positions. The button downshifts to third and locks
> out overdrive on the 1999 and newer automatics. The transmissions are very
> durable and can be manually shifted. When held in gear the Miata will do
> 40 mph in 1st and over 80 mph in second. Because the manual second to
> third shift occurs at approximately 59 mph, the automatic has some
> advantages around 60 mph. Caution must be used in running at maximum speed
> in any gear for an extended period of time. The gears may overheat and
> transmission damage can occur.
>
> The autos will handle 250 horsepower without a problem. Flyin' Miata has
> installed the FM II turbo on at least three Miatas. You can order a kit
> for your car that will turn your automatic into a very impressive
> performance car. If necessary, a tranmission shop can modify your
> transmission to give harder shifting or a change in the torque converter
> stall speed.
>
> The automatics are not equipped with a Limited Slip Diff from the factory.
> You may want to upgrade the diff on your car with a Torsen to improve
> cornering. The stock auto rear end ratio on the 1999 automatic is 4.10
> while the Torsen is a 4.30. The torque increase with the Torsen will be
> very apparent if you change out the differential.
>
> Enjoy!
>
>
>
> "gixer" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
>> seems no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>>
>> So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>>
>
>

Its still fun with a auto box mate, you just have to learn not to brake on
corners
and I have to agree with you on the hard top


"Chief_Wiggum" > wrote in message
newsnLRd.107454$mt.22910@fed1read03...
> Color me as a stick bigot
>
> Personally I think the only thing that would be worse than an autmatic
> Miata
> is if they made them with a non-removable hard top !
>
> The car is SO FUN to drive / shift , I just feel like I'm in a go-kart all
> the time. My OTM is a Mustang GT, and IT has a slushbox in it. Although
> it
> has the horsepower to overcome the power loss, I still wish IT was a stick
> too.
>
> Automatic's are for Cadillacs. REAL sports cars have a S T I C K ! ! ! !
> *
>
>
>
>
>
> *posted in good fun... don't feel the need to flame me
>
>
> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
>> Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people
> don't
>> mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
>> Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic. The
>> ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing
>> exactly
>> how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly
>> on
>> exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I
>> hate
>> about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you are
>> asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you
> hoped
>> / expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
>> been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to say
>> you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not smoothly
>> like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're
> just
>> much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
>> experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to learn
> on
>> and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
>> miss a great opportunity there.
>>
>> Good luck,
>> Chris
>> 92BB&T
>>
>> "gixer" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
>> seems
>> > no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>> >
>> > So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

Maybe it was a Maserati Quattroporte, not actually available as a stick
shift.

Or I guess it could be the same type of guy that drives a Enzo Ferrari,
Ferrari 360, AMG SL55 or near on all the AMG range for that, BMW M5 & M6,
Audi RS6
None of which are actually available in stick shift or how about the start
line of a 2004 F1 GP, again none of which have a stick shift.

Most of these cars have the paddle only shift because, either they do not
have a manual box that can reliably handle the vast amount of torque
produced by the engine (AMG), or they have no room for the box to be placed
where a good shift position should be (Maserati), or they feel a good weight
distribution is a must (M5, M6) or they just want to push their technology
and get good balance (Enzo).

And that's not even mentioning The Ferrari 355, Porsche with it's tiptronic
system, Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini Gallardo or a Murcielago, BMW M3, Audi TT,
Audi RS etc etc all available with paddle shift.

I am not saying an automatic is better than a manual all the time, but if
you drive the new TT with its DSG gearbox it is absolutely fantastic, the
AMG box's aren't as sporty but still smooth as silk,
Right now most of this technology is fairly new to the aftermarket sales, I
think in a couple of years time we will see new ECU's for these paddle-shift
box, enabling us to program them in any way we feel is best, shifting
quicker than a human can, shifting at full throttle (Audi's DSG).
Imagine having your gearbox linked to your GPS, you could tell you box to
shift to a certain gear at a certain corner.

40 years ago, all car enthusiasts said that servo assisted brakes were not
for sports cars,
30 years ago the same was said for power steering,
20 years ago to have AC fitted to an enthusiasts car was unimaginable,
10 years ago traction control was for wusses.

Things move on mate, Sequential gearbox's are the future as are paddle
shifts, if we can have the performance and control of a manual box, but not
have knacker our feet in traffic I can't see the problem with that.




"The Millers" > wrote in message
news
> Some 25 years ago, while working as a stock boy loading speakers and such
> into people's cars, a customer left his Maserati in front of the store for
> everyone to notice. Well, notice we did, because we all commented, "What
> kind of shmuck buys a Maserati with an automatic?"
>
> I don't think he bought anything before he left...
>
> "Chief_Wiggum" > wrote in message
> newsnLRd.107454$mt.22910@fed1read03...
>> Color me as a stick bigot
>>
>> Personally I think the only thing that would be worse than an autmatic
>> Miata
>> is if they made them with a non-removable hard top !
>>
>> The car is SO FUN to drive / shift , I just feel like I'm in a go-kart
>> all
>> the time. My OTM is a Mustang GT, and IT has a slushbox in it. Although
>> it
>> has the horsepower to overcome the power loss, I still wish IT was a
>> stick
>> too.
>>
>> Automatic's are for Cadillacs. REAL sports cars have a S T I C K ! ! ! !
>> *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *posted in good fun... don't feel the need to flame me
>>
>>
>> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Oh boy, you had to go there didn't you......
>>> Some will berate anyone using an automatic in these cars, some people
>> don't
>>> mind the ranting and raving THEY WANT AN AUTOMATIC!
>>> Personally I feel you lose tons of fun and control with an automatic.
>>> The
>>> ability to push the car to it's limits has alot to do with knowing
>>> exactly
>>> how much power you are applying at any given second (mostly importantly
>>> on
>>> exiting corners), using every bit of grip you tires have. The thing I
>>> hate
>>> about auto's is you can never be sure which gear they will decide you
>>> are
>>> asking for at that critical moment. If you get a higher gear than you
>> hoped
>>> / expected, you're dissappointed with a crappy finish to what might have
>>> been a great corner. If you get one lower than you planned, I hate to
>>> say
>>> you get too much power, but it tends to come on all at once, not
>>> smoothly
>>> like you'd want it to again, ruining an otherwise great corner. You're
>> just
>>> much more involved, a more integral part, so to speak, of the driving
>>> experience. Besides that, Miata's are one of the easiest manuals to
>>> learn
>> on
>>> and one of the most satisfying shifters you will ever experience, so you
>>> miss a great opportunity there.
>>>
>>> Good luck,
>>> Chris
>>> 92BB&T
>>>
>>> "gixer" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>> > Ok I have asked already about supercharged/Turbo's Auto Miatas, but it
>>> seems
>>> > no one here has fitted any to an Auto.
>>> >
>>> > So has anyone here actually got an Auto?
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>