Making your 85-86 auto 'faster'
12-08-2010, 01:39 PM
#1
Inventor
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Thread Starter
Making your 85-86 auto 'faster'
Two simple tips for making the auto drive more like manual. 
In driving both my auto and manual S3's, I noticed that one of the reasons the auto feels slower is purely psychological. Without the drag of the auto's control pressure cable to the transmission, the manual's pedal is much easier to press. A light touch is all it takes to go faster. Conversely, it feels like the auto is 'heavier' with more effort required to push the pedal at the same speeds, and it's difficult to finesse the power delivery at part throttle. EG. when trying to kick the rear of a LSD equipped auto around a tight corner.
I put a helper spring in place of the cruise cable (in-op cruise removed), and the car felt like it lost 200lbs. Suddenly, it's much more nimble, and can be driven with a more comfortable/sportier foot position for switching from throttle to brake.
A larger wound spring, or a different routing, could go around the cruise cable, instead of replacing it. It's surprising how much spring tension can be applied before the throttle moves. Check that the idle switch still clicks!
Tip #2 is to adjust the bowden cable (upper cable in pic) so that a part throttle 2 to 3 shift happens at 2500 rpm. This lets the engine rev a little higher for more torque before shifting (closer to how you might drive in a 5-speed). At medium throttle it will shift nicely, just past the S3 torque peak at 2700. It will also kick down more readily for better performance.
First remove the retainer pin, then pry off the cable socket off the ball. Pull back the bellows to expose the threads. Using 7 and 8mm wrenches, loosen the jam nut. Adjust the socket until it drops straight onto the ball. This is the stock setting. Adjust one turn tighter, then test drive. Repeat until the 2-3 shift is at 2500 when driving 'faster than traffic' (IE. a little more pedal than just tooling along). Too tight, and it won't shift into fourth on the freeway without backing off the pedal (annoying). Note that the 1-2 shift always happens at a lower rpm than the 2-3.
In driving both my auto and manual S3's, I noticed that one of the reasons the auto feels slower is purely psychological. Without the drag of the auto's control pressure cable to the transmission, the manual's pedal is much easier to press. A light touch is all it takes to go faster. Conversely, it feels like the auto is 'heavier' with more effort required to push the pedal at the same speeds, and it's difficult to finesse the power delivery at part throttle. EG. when trying to kick the rear of a LSD equipped auto around a tight corner.
I put a helper spring in place of the cruise cable (in-op cruise removed), and the car felt like it lost 200lbs. Suddenly, it's much more nimble, and can be driven with a more comfortable/sportier foot position for switching from throttle to brake.
A larger wound spring, or a different routing, could go around the cruise cable, instead of replacing it. It's surprising how much spring tension can be applied before the throttle moves. Check that the idle switch still clicks!
Tip #2 is to adjust the bowden cable (upper cable in pic) so that a part throttle 2 to 3 shift happens at 2500 rpm. This lets the engine rev a little higher for more torque before shifting (closer to how you might drive in a 5-speed). At medium throttle it will shift nicely, just past the S3 torque peak at 2700. It will also kick down more readily for better performance.
First remove the retainer pin, then pry off the cable socket off the ball. Pull back the bellows to expose the threads. Using 7 and 8mm wrenches, loosen the jam nut. Adjust the socket until it drops straight onto the ball. This is the stock setting. Adjust one turn tighter, then test drive. Repeat until the 2-3 shift is at 2500 when driving 'faster than traffic' (IE. a little more pedal than just tooling along). Too tight, and it won't shift into fourth on the freeway without backing off the pedal (annoying). Note that the 1-2 shift always happens at a lower rpm than the 2-3.
Last edited by PorKen; 12-08-2010 at 11:12 PM.
12-08-2010, 01:56 PM
#2
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I had the throttle stick half way open on my auto S4 last week, and it was quite scary. I am a little worried that this mod would make that more likely. After all, it is the springing that makes the throttle return to the closed position.
12-08-2010, 02:02 PM
#3
Inventor
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Thread Starter
What's an S-4? 
Seriously, though, the spring pressure of this spring is much less than the combined return pressure of the throttle body springs, and the control pressure cable spring. Much less than the effort required to move the throttle plate off idle.
Seriously, though, the spring pressure of this spring is much less than the combined return pressure of the throttle body springs, and the control pressure cable spring. Much less than the effort required to move the throttle plate off idle.
12-08-2010, 02:04 PM
#4
Team Owner
Mark you should investigate your throttle cable it may be failing.
BTW you have a different throttle quadrant system than the one Ken is talking about , so this mod wont apply to your car
BTW you have a different throttle quadrant system than the one Ken is talking about , so this mod wont apply to your car
12-08-2010, 02:14 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Thanks Ken.
Please keep looking at the 85/6 automatics for improvements.
(Am considering shift kits.
Also, am still battling bad running 85, getting an oscilloscope this week for testing.)
Please keep looking at the 85/6 automatics for improvements.
(Am considering shift kits.
Also, am still battling bad running 85, getting an oscilloscope this week for testing.)
12-08-2010, 04:51 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Hey, now that is a great idea!
You are absolutely right about the psychological effect about acceleration depending on the force required to press the accelerator! I have two equally motorized Alfa's, but one has a (much) lighter to operate accelerator pedal and it just feels quicker.
Am going to try the spring mod on my 86.5 as well. I do have the cruise cable still connected, so I will have to find a spring which fits around the cruise cable.
Keep up the good ideas Ken!
Oh, on my next order at Roger I will also order the FPR and S300s chip, I'm really curious about the power improvent!
You are absolutely right about the psychological effect about acceleration depending on the force required to press the accelerator! I have two equally motorized Alfa's, but one has a (much) lighter to operate accelerator pedal and it just feels quicker.
Am going to try the spring mod on my 86.5 as well. I do have the cruise cable still connected, so I will have to find a spring which fits around the cruise cable.
Keep up the good ideas Ken!
Oh, on my next order at Roger I will also order the FPR and S300s chip, I'm really curious about the power improvent!
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11-09-2013, 02:10 PM
#8
Resurrect.
Hard time relating all the S4 pics of the quad to the S3 so I'm glad I found this thread. Which one is the bowden cable? The upper most cable in the pic or the middle one? Which cable is the middle one?
The middle cable (relative to this pic) in my car falls short of the ball cup. I have to pull it maybe 1/4in, just guessing, to put it on the ball. Is this right or should I adjust it? Should be dead on?
Hard time relating all the S4 pics of the quad to the S3 so I'm glad I found this thread. Which one is the bowden cable? The upper most cable in the pic or the middle one? Which cable is the middle one?
The middle cable (relative to this pic) in my car falls short of the ball cup. I have to pull it maybe 1/4in, just guessing, to put it on the ball. Is this right or should I adjust it? Should be dead on?
11-12-2013, 12:12 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Colin,
The throttle pressure is an interesting concept. RMB's make folks think the car is faster when it is not any different but a feel good factor nonetheless.
Anyone who tried braking with their left foot will know just how "more powerful" the brakes are. Of course they are not but one's right foot is sensitised to "throttle pressure" becuase it spends most of its time there. Thus the reverse logic is entirely feasible.
Regards
Fred
The throttle pressure is an interesting concept. RMB's make folks think the car is faster when it is not any different but a feel good factor nonetheless.
Anyone who tried braking with their left foot will know just how "more powerful" the brakes are. Of course they are not but one's right foot is sensitised to "throttle pressure" becuase it spends most of its time there. Thus the reverse logic is entirely feasible.
Regards
Fred