This is something I've been wanting to talk about for quite a while. I know everyone on this forum hates ATs, but there are a lot of people who own them, and there seem to be very little info on how fast they are.

First, we have the 4 port ATs. I read a couple of threads from 2004 about the 4 port autos. People said it took between 8 to 9 seconds to hit 60, but the 4 port AT cars I see on YouTube take around 10 to 12 seconds!!!

Then we have the 6 port ATs. No major reviewer has tested the 0-60 times of a 6 port AT. I can't even find any valid info on this site either, apart from guesstimates

The S2 ATs are probably the rarest. I've never seen anything about 0-60 times of an S2 AT.

And then we have the biggest issue of them all, SLOWING DOWN. Now I know cars slow down with age. But this is just weird. They DRASTICALLY slow down. If the 4 port autos really did 0-60 in 9 seconds, why do they take 12 seconds now? I'm not talking about beat up cars that have 200,000 miles on the clock. I'm talking about well maintained cars that have like 40,000 miles. I've read a lot of posts about members complaining about their cars being slower than they were. Most of them did their homework. They got compression tests, changed the plugs, coils, wires, cleaned the ESS and MAF etc etc. but none of them solved their issue. And it only happens to AT models. The manuals aren't affected. It seems like there isn't a clear answer for this. Nobody knows the reason. Maybe it's multiple reasons, and maybe we can list them down.

So, let's brainstorm this and help our fellow AT owners. Maybe post up a sticky with our findings.

What exactly are the 0-60 times of the AT models.
Why do they get oh-so slow with time.

Thank you.

 

My buddy tracks his 6port/6speed Auto 2007 and he has no problem whooping up on 6 speed manual 6 port S1's and S2's on the track. But he is on his second transmission in under 30,000 miles and his car is pretty much a track only car for him except that he drives it to the track. But we did put a trans cooler on his second trans and it seems to be holding up well.

As for them getting slower, if that is true, it is likely due to power loss and/or slipping trans.

But no one who is really about performance would buy an auto unless they have to (my friend is disabled) so that is why you don't see a lot of data. 4 port/4 speed autos are dogs, even when new you are talking about a 3100lb car with 140WHP.

My buddy doing work. Mostly stock with the exception of the trans cooler, BHR ignition, good brake pads, and suspension (can't remember exact setup but shocks and springs).

 

I'm going to risk sounding stupid here, but one thing I didn't see in your list is tires.

Even at 40,000 miles of normal use, the factory tires tend to be fairly worn. With the added effect of people trying to do multiple 0-60 tests, they end up being worn down quite quickly. In any form of racing, they're the first (and hopefully only) contact point with the road and professional race teams spend millions on R&D for the perfect rubber.

All of the power in the world is useless, unless it hits the ground.

 

-No.

tires are not a factor until they are slipping. at 140hp, they are NOT slipping.

 

Holy crap on a cracker I completely forgot about this thread!

Yeah as long as the tires aren't slipping, I don't think they play a big role here.

The transmission slipping is a possibility. I've actually never thought about that. Pretty good reason for slowing down. Good call 9krpm!

Power loss? How so? Most of the people have done compression tests, changed ignition and cleaned all the usual stuff. They're still way slower than when new.

Exactly how fast is a 6 port AT? A friend of mine timed a 0-62 run in 8.25 seconds. I still it's supposed to be faster than that. There are some 6 port ATs that take around 10 seconds to hit 62. Some 4 ports take even longer! I just don't get why these cars slow down so much even with the usual maintenance.

9k, how fast can your buddy's auto 8 hit 60?