What's up with 4 speed automatics?

[violakat03]

I'm just wondering why so many GM vehicles still use 4 speed automatics, when GM makes some great 5- and 6-speed autos.

4-speeds are a thing of the past. The competitors are going to 5-speed autos as the norm, it's time to follow suit.

And keep an eye on those hp numbers! Each time GM steps it up, everyone else steps it up a notch more! No reason to be 20-30 hp behind direct import competitors.

[Squachy]

Well they are slowly phasing in the 6 speeds so the 4 speed issue wont last very long. Might still take a few more years before the 4 speeds are only on the compacts.
Same thing with the engines. the 3.6 (which is power competitive) is finding itself in more and more products, while the 3500 (which isnt) is finding itself in less and less.

[ogg vorbis]

the 3500 is almost as cheap as the ecotecs...they won't go away soon.

the 6 speeds weigh the same as the 4 speeds, are the same size, and offer ~10% better fuel economy. however, the main reason for more speeds is nvh - the rpm can be kept lower throughout the speed range. the closer gear spacing IS better for acceleration. they are ramping up production on 6 speeds.

the 6 speed is also over $1000 more than the 4 speeds. the 4l80 is bulletproof. with high torque engines, you don't need a zillion speeds to keep the engine in the narrow power band. cvt can't take more than ~250 lb-ft at the current state of the technology.

[ctaylorzl1]

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

PETA is going to be real mad.

[F14CRAZY]

Keep in mind, like the 3500 and 3800 don't need to be paired with 6 speeds due to fact that they have a wide RPM/power range. Sure there's some dead spots, but how often do Impalas and Lacrosse's get floored?

[DuSpinnst]

The 6-speeds will go into things that need them first. So Fuel Thirsty SUV's and Trucks with V8's. Then to cars with the HF Family (the HF and 6-speed where designed for each other).

After that you will see them spread to the other V6 engines, and possibly to the 4's. Every time a new 6-speed line goes up, a 4-speed line can come down. These things take time.

Also take into account the FWD versus RWD variation, which I believe are not built in the same plants let alone on the same lines.

Chrysler is doing the same thing, expect to see only 6-speed's and DCT's in the Big 3 by 2010. I really don't think the average car is going to move past the 6-speed for some time. The Luxury sector will move to 8-speed and stay there as well.

[drew630]

Mainly because 6-speeds won't fit in the current body structures of the cars.
As GM introduces new cars, 6-speeds will become the norm.

[Corr69]

Originally Posted by violakat03

I'm just wondering why so many GM vehicles still use 4 speed automatics, when GM makes some great 5- and 6-speed autos.

4-speeds are a thing of the past. The competitors are going to 5-speed autos as the norm, it's time to follow suit.

And keep an eye on those hp numbers! Each time GM steps it up, everyone else steps it up a notch more! No reason to be 20-30 hp behind direct import competitors.

Hmm just like the 270Hp Altima thats SLOWER than the 252hp Aura? Horsepower is not Gms problem-well in some 4 cylinders. However, I agree on the 4-speed autos. I don't believe they have any excuse for not having a six speed standard in every Silverado/Sierra they produce. (sure they need to re-tool, but why didn't they do that years ago?)

[wpageabc]

The 4 speeds are old news. And GM needs to get with the 90's and get with the 6 speeds right away...

[Chaz_23]

You don't need 6-speeds when you have a 3.8 or 3.8 SC

[roberto57]

The Corolla, Yaris, and Scions all have 4-speed autos.

[boston boy]

Originally Posted by violakat03

I'm just wondering why so many GM vehicles still use 4 speed automatics, when GM makes some great 5- and 6-speed autos.

4-speeds are a thing of the past. The competitors are going to 5-speed autos as the norm, it's time to follow suit.

And keep an eye on those hp numbers! Each time GM steps it up, everyone else steps it up a notch more! No reason to be 20-30 hp behind direct import competitors.

BOOOOO BOOOOO no 5 spd autos

[CobaltSScrazy]

LMFAO and we should edit the words to make it "Everytime FR hates on toyota/tundra, God kills a kitten..."

LMAO

on a serious note, by the time the comp. was at 5 speeds and GM was designing one, the research data showed by the time GM got 5 speeds out the comp would be at 6 speeds which is exactly whats happening, so they skipped 5 and re-engineered it for 6. thats basically what happened.

CobaltSScrazy

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

[chakis24]

gm = huge
progress = slow