I am looking at buying a 2001 GT convertible with only 30k miles on it (carfax verified) and the only draw back for me is that the car has an automatic transmission. I owned a 2005 GT that was a 5 sp that was a blast to drive and I am concerned that the automatic transmission will mute some of the performance of the V8 engine. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can can do to maximize the driving performance of automatic transmission? I appreciate any and all feedback.
2001 GT Automatic Transmission
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As far as performance goes, it will not hinder it. In fact, a properly set-up auto will outperform any stick. The only difference you should be concerned about is that "fun factor" while driving. If you absolutely need that "rowing through the gears" feeling than a stick is your best bet.
I have an auto myself, along with a shift kit and 4.10 gears. There aren't too many people out there who could out-shift my car with a manual
I have an auto myself, along with a shift kit and 4.10 gears. There aren't too many people out there who could out-shift my car with a manual
I have a 2003 GT auto. Everyone drives manual here except cripples and the odd lunatic that can`t get a full license. It wouldn`t have been my first choice but as I live in Scotland there is only a few Mustangs in the whole country and even less for sale. I wanted a Mustang so beggars couldn`t be choosers at the time.
However, I have learned to appreciate what it is and I quite like it now.
1. The stock set up is lazy. Most manufacturers (Ford included) set auto boxes up to shift smooth and slow. Because lets face it, if they didn`t it would be slaughtered by the automotive media when Mrs Smith spills her coffee on the way to work.
The J mod ( google it) is the best thing to do to the thing. A performance shift kit or a handheld tuner can also change the way the 4r70 goes about its business. In effect they all undo what Ford has done to make it all nice and gay but in a slightly different way.
2. The gear ratio is awful. 3.27s mated to a 4.6 modular engine (that likes to be revved) WITH an automatic box is a bad combo. The S197 got a helping hand with 3.55s remember.
A set of 3.73s or if your car is just a toy 4.10s will totally change how the car performs.
The box has , if you read the Ford guff in the manual a learning mode which monitors your driving style and shifts according to how you`ve been driving.
Basically if you drive it like you stole it, it`ll shift better. I drive quite sedately and sometimes don`t always get the shift i`m looking for first time.
They`re not as bad as some make out. But from the factory they need a bit of help.
However, I have learned to appreciate what it is and I quite like it now.
1. The stock set up is lazy. Most manufacturers (Ford included) set auto boxes up to shift smooth and slow. Because lets face it, if they didn`t it would be slaughtered by the automotive media when Mrs Smith spills her coffee on the way to work.
The J mod ( google it) is the best thing to do to the thing. A performance shift kit or a handheld tuner can also change the way the 4r70 goes about its business. In effect they all undo what Ford has done to make it all nice and gay but in a slightly different way.
2. The gear ratio is awful. 3.27s mated to a 4.6 modular engine (that likes to be revved) WITH an automatic box is a bad combo. The S197 got a helping hand with 3.55s remember.
A set of 3.73s or if your car is just a toy 4.10s will totally change how the car performs.
The box has , if you read the Ford guff in the manual a learning mode which monitors your driving style and shifts according to how you`ve been driving.
Basically if you drive it like you stole it, it`ll shift better. I drive quite sedately and sometimes don`t always get the shift i`m looking for first time.
They`re not as bad as some make out. But from the factory they need a bit of help.
Is there a shift kit you recommend? I am not really mechanically inclined, so some of the lingo is foreign to me, but what you have posted gives me comfort that I have options to get the most out of the car's engine.. I don't need to run through the gears as much I as don't want the car shifting like my dad's Buick... 
This post was helpful and I am going to go to work to figure out what 4:10 gears mean, ie how expensive and how much work is involved installing/setting this up. Be great if you could provide recommendations on the shift kit. Thank you.
This post was helpful and I am going to go to work to figure out what 4:10 gears mean, ie how expensive and how much work is involved installing/setting this up. Be great if you could provide recommendations on the shift kit. Thank you.Beautiful car! It gives me some ideas on what the car I am looking at can look like. I will google the part you referenced me to. I will also look into changing the gears as you have suggested. Do you really think the stock transmission will learn how I would like to drive it? I was wondering if using second gear as a starting gear, bumping it up to drive once I get to the speed/rpms I am looking to shift at? Don't want to tear up the transmission, but I do want to let is perform as a Mustang should. Thanks for the feedback/insight... Again, really sharp Mustang!
Is there a shift kit you recommend? I am not really mechanically inclined, so some of the lingo is foreign to me, but what you have posted gives me comfort that I have options to get the most out of the car's engine.. I don't need to run through the gears as much I as don't want the car shifting like my dad's Buick...
Here are a few shift kits to take a look at....
Search Results for shift kit - SummitRacing.com
As far as brand names go, TransGo and B&M are excellent manufacturers.
As far as my transmission goes, I have an SCT hand-held tuner w/ free BAMA Performance tunes for life. You tell them what mods you've got on the car and they write you a tune for the entire car. Included in that tune is a complete remapping of the automatic transmission shift points along with increased line pressure (for firm, tire-chirping immediate shifts). This is what I've got. It completely transformed my transmission.
4.10 gears refers to the gear set in the rear differential. Most V8 mustangs came with a 3.23 gear set from the factory. That means that for every 1 full revolution of the rear wheels, the drive shaft spins 3.23 times. 4.10 gears simply means that the drive shaft ow spins 4.1 times for every 1 full revolution of the rear wheels. How does that translate into performance? The 4.6L V8 motors don't have a whole lot of low-end grunt, meaning that they are a bit sluggish in the lower RPM range. The 4.6's really begin to scream when they are higher up in the RPM range. A higher numerical gear set (ex. 4.10's) means that the motor gets into it's upper RPM power band much quicker and easier, essentially putting more power to the wheels. The only downside is that the motor is obviously going to be spending more time in the upper RPM range, meaning that it's going to be sucking a bit more gas.....
I personally love my 01 automatic vert, like others have said, with a good shift kit, manuals have a hard time out shifting. Enjoy it.
Thank you for the great feedback. I decided to buy the 01 Mustang. The feedback on the forum gave me confidence that I could make some easy modifications to the transmission to get the most out of the V8 engine to make driving the car fun. Car was in mint condition, I honestly cannot believe how perfect the vehicles is given its 11 years old, but I guess an 01 with 30k ought to look that good.
I look forward to investing in the mods you suggest and having a great summer of fun with the V8 convertible.
Thanks for the feedback and help. Sincerely, MustangNovice
I look forward to investing in the mods you suggest and having a great summer of fun with the V8 convertible.
Thanks for the feedback and help. Sincerely, MustangNovice
Folks, just so I am clear, is a J mod and a shift kit one and the same, with the J mod being a manual adjustment to the factory equipment to provide better shifting performance in an automatic transmission and a shift a manufactured, after market, replacement of the OEM equipment to provide better shifting patterns/performance of an automatic transmission? Sorry to be dense, but want to make sure I understand the direction I am headed with my car. Thank you...
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