1 Gear Select Shift Question

[LINLIN]

Since I'm new here this may have already been covered.

I have an 01 LS V8 with the select shift tranny. According to the owners manual (and my own experience) while in SST mode the only way to get the tranny is 1st gear is to pull out from a stop in 2nd and then push the "go pedal" into the carpet forcing a downshift to first. Once you've you've done that you have 1st gear privileges until you come to a stop, then it starts all over again. I understand the new (2006) LS allow a select shift to 1st gear from a stop. I was wondering why they didn't have this setup on the earlier models? Is there a way to over ride this?

 

[Kelleyo]

Since I'm new here this may have already been covered.

I have an 01 LS V8 with the select shift tranny. According to the owners manual (and my own experience) while in SST mode the only way to get the tranny is 1st gear is to pull out from a stop in 2nd and then push the "go pedal" into the carpet forcing a downshift to first. Once you've you've done that you have 1st gear privileges until you come to a stop, then it starts all over again. I understand the new (2006) LS allow a select shift to 1st gear from a stop. I was wondering why they didn't have this setup on the earlier models? Is there a way to over ride this?

They did have this on earlier models. It has been available since 2003 (the 2003-2006 years are basically the same car). I believe it was there before for the 2000-2002 for CAFE requirements. Same reason the 2003 and up have 3.58 gears and the pre 2003 all came with 3.31 (except for the V6's and early V8's).

 

[2001LS8Sport]

And to date, no one has come up with a way to allow the early models to perform like the late models. It's something you have to live with.

And by the way, if you have it in second gear and just nail it (appx 2/3 throttle or more) from a dead stop, it will leave in first gear. You will never know (or feel) 2nd gear.

 

[LINLIN]

Thanks for the info "2001LS8Sport". I wonder when in full automatic mode if the tranny works the same way (only using 1st gear from a stop if the throttle is over 2/3 open)? The next time I drive it i'll have to pull out from a stop normally, and see if I can feel a shift from 1st to 2nd (while in full automatic mode).

 

[Wicked_LS]

No if you are in automatic mode the tranny starts from 1st gear it is just when put into sst mode that it is in accessable

 

[LINLIN]

Man that's weird. I obviously will not hurt the tranny (pulling out in 1st) since you say it does it in full auto mode. So why not let me do it manually? Sounds like I just found a reason to buy a new 2006.

I can dream right?

 

[Quik LS]

Man that's weird. I obviously will not hurt the tranny (pulling out in 1st) since you say it does it in full auto mode. So why not let me do it manually? Sounds like I just found a reason to buy a new 2006.

I can dream right?

it is because of the CAFÉ test - mentioned above - (fuel economy) requirements..... the 03+ LSes have better economy (with the changes to VVT, exhaust, ...) so they can pass the CAFÉ in first from a stop. nothing to do with hurting the driveline.

 

[Kelleyo]

Man that's weird. I obviously will not hurt the tranny (pulling out in 1st) since you say it does it in full auto mode. So why not let me do it manually? Sounds like I just found a reason to buy a new 2006.



Better hurry. The last LS (ever) will be built in the next week or so.

 

[gt95coupe]

They did have this on earlier models. It has been available since 2003 (the 2003-2006 years are basically the same car). I believe it was there before for the 2000-2002 for CAFE requirements. Same reason the 2003 and up have 3.58 gears and the pre 2003 all came with 3.31 (except for the V6's and early V8's).

So by what your saying my 02 v6 non-sport has the 3.58 rear gears? Also does anyone know what the pinion diameter is on the ls'

 

[LINLIN]

Here's a thought.....

When I want to be in SST mode and start in 1st I'll just leave it in D5 on the auto side and then before it automatically shifts to 2nd I'll flip the shifter to the right and enter SST mode and hold 1st as long as I want. So the shift pattern become one over and four up. The only draw back I see is you may not be able to reenter 1st gear on a downshift simce you we not over 60% throttle to start out. I'll have to try this to make sure it works.

 

[LS4me]

Here's a thought.....

When I want to be in SST mode and start in 1st I'll just leave it in D5 on the auto side and then before it automatically shifts to 2nd I'll flip the shifter to the right and enter SST mode and hold 1st as long as I want. So the shift pattern become one over and four up. The only draw back I see is you may not be able to reenter 1st gear on a downshift simce you we not over 60% throttle to start out. I'll have to try this to make sure it works.

Doesn't work. The trans will instantly shift to 2nd. I've tried this already......

Like Quik said, it was a CAFE thing. A 1st gear start cost about 1mpg in the CAFE test, which put the V8 in gas-guzzler country. To avoid the gas-guzzler tax, Ford opted for the 2nd gear start. The correct decision, IMHO.