In my 03 sedan 5AT, my tranny would sometimes not allow me to readily grab a 4 to 2 downshift when speeds were above (40mph) or a 5 to 3 downshift when speeds were above 65mph or so. I would kick the shifter lever down and the indicator would show the gear I wanted and then it would kick up the gear up one (either 3 to 4 depending on speed) as if the tranny was second guessing my intentions. This meant I had to hit the lever again to get into the right gear. This would happen about 70% of the time when I was wanting a double downshift when approaching a turn or entrance/exit ramp. It was annoying.

A couple years ago I adjusted the metal pins that actuate the up/down shift buttons within the shifter unit. You can see the pins/buttons when you remove the console and look on the passenger side of the shift unit. I simply bent the pins so that they would engage the buttons quicker without as much shift lever motion. I had adjusted the upshift pin quite a bit, but not as much on the downshift pin. A few nights ago I adjusted the downshift pin. Now upshift/downshift buttons engage with less a 1/4" movement of the lever. Yesterday while driving, I was trying to get the tranny to second guess my downshift intentions (primarily a 4 to 2 downshift at 40-45mph) and it would plop into 2nd every time This isn't the norm for my car at all. I don't know how adjusting the pin made a difference, but it apparently has. I tried a 4 to 2 downshift at 50mph and it did it. No questions asked. I did a 3 to 1 downshift at 20mph and it did it. No questions asked. It's like a different tranny now. I can't get the tranny to second guess me now. It has the response of the 04.5+ trannies now except for the rev-match feature.


Here's a picture of the metal pins you'll need to bend slightly inwards:




Here's a picture of the shifter kicked over into manual mode. You can see that the pins are nearly resting on the white plastic block of the shifter which engages the metal pins and solenoids. Obviously you don't want to bend the pins so much that they interfere when the shifter is kicked over into manual mode.

What if you don't want it to DS 2 gears?

I believe that was the whole point of his post... It works all the time - one or two gears.

Great info - I'll have to give that a shot.

Seems quicker even on a single downshift.

Being stupid today, I wanted to see if it would grab a 3 to 1 at 30mph as I about to dive into a turn. It did it very quickly. It's a bit abrupt going from 2000rpms to 5000rpms very quickly with no rev match

Have you ever tried a 3 gear downshift?

I'll try it out tonight. 5th to 2nd at 50mph.

I tried the 5 to 2 downshift at a crack above 50mph. The tranny wasn't very willing. It would do the 5 to 3 no question, but the 5 to 2 was hit or miss above 45mph. Oddly, the 4 to 2 at 50mph was fine.

Dave - why are you doing this?... I can't imagine it is not creating undo stress on the trans and driveline... You are normally so anti this kind of thing.

Where I have EVER once said an mod (except FI) was going to cause undo stress on a G35? Do some research and you'll see that manually shifting an auto is no worse than letting the auto shift itself. Downshifting from 4 to 2 at 30mph will burn more fuel and isn't really necessary, but it's not going to damage anything. Move along unless you have something worthwhile to add to the thread.

Great info. I would like to try something like this also. Can you go into a little more detail or post pics about what pins?

Dave,

Do you have any pics of the pins that you bent?

How much of an angle did you bend them?

Thanks,

B.

I'll snap some pictures tonight.

relax pal... I wasn't slamming you... I was surprised that you would do something like this. I didn't say "you" said it would cause undo stress... I'M saying it... downshifting from 5th to 2nd at 50mph!!! I simply would not do what you are doing... not telling you not to - I'm just surprised you are because you seem to be the type that wouldn't take such risks.

If you think its fine so be it. I would not force my tranny to down shift to a gear the puts the rmps that high so quickly... that’s ME. Don't start a pissing match about this... I'm just stating my opinion as you have... My only comment is that it surprises me that you are doing it. That’s all... Don’t be so damn defensive.

Ok Chief

Regarding the 5 to 2 downshift at 45-50mph, the entry speed is around 4500-5000rpms. It's hardly damaging, but it's abrupt because there isn't any rev matching, but it's not like someone dropping the car into second without slipping the clutch. The TC absorbs a good bit of the shock. If I were in D and needed full power at 45-50mph, the tranny would execute the 5 to 2 downshift. With that said, I have no need to do a 4 to 2 downshift at 50mph, the point is though, it will do it now without second guessing me. I like that type of control. I will probably use the manual mode quite a bit more now that I feel like I have full control over the tranny and I will probably be more willing to do more auto-x events too because the 3 to 1 and 2 to 1 downshifts at ~25mph work great.

BTW, if you're so afraid to but a tranny into a particular gear at a relatively high rpm then I suggest never buying a manual and racing it.

I was able to get the tranny to 2x shift down fairly quick w/o any mods. But with the long throw of our early auto Gs, you have to keep the lever 1/2 engaged each time you slick it for the next down shift. As the shifter seems to lift off the contact 1/2 up the lever throw.