Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and improving my car in general, I just was wondering if anyone could help me with a few questions I've had trouble finding on here and on google.

I have a 2004 Cavalier, and I've got a list of improvements I would like to make, and I'd just like to get some input from someone who knows more about this than I do.

First off, I'm buying an AEM CAI kit (actually waiting on it to get here right now)

I also want to look into a new exhaust system, throttle body, and eventually the GM supercharger kit (read: when I have the cash), along with all the other mods that'll be necessary along the way to permit those mods.

One thing I definitely want to look into at some point is improving my transmission or getting a new one, and I'm sure this is a foolish question, but I can't figure out what the model of my transmission is...it's a 3-speed automatic I believe (the shifter has PRND21, which is what I've read that that means), and I want to make whatever improvements are possible to it, but can't search for parts without knowing what the transmission is...if anyone could help me or point me to where I need to look, I'd appreciate that.

I'd also like to know if anyone knows where I can find a good repair manual for my 2004, the Hayne manual I found listed it with the wrong engine type (2.4) and I can't find any similar ones that have the right information.

To my knowledge, all 2004 vehicles came with a 4 speed automatic, as the Ecotec has never been coupled with a 3 speed. You're absolutely positive that it doesn't say PRND321?

As for repair manuals, I've always purchased factory manuals from eBay.




1989 Z24 Convertible - Dust Covered
2006 tC - Dust Covered, but driven more

the hayness manual i have has 1996-2004 J body's. all engines included. need to look again there buddy



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Alright, I think I need to get new glasses or something, cause yeah, upon closer inspection, there is a 3 in there. I swear it wasn't there Friday.

I'll go back and double check the Haynes manual, I was unfortunately being rushed at the shop by my girlfriend, so I didn't have a chance to get too in-depth, just read the first section.

Man I feel like an idiot right now.

Heres a good idea. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! your car is automatic (a 3 speed for god sakes!) its never going to be quick. trade your car in for something else that has a manual tranny.



AUTOMATIC=REALLY SLOW
MANUAL=A LOT MORE POTENTIAL

many would disagree on that statement!



15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

I've heard that I'm wasting my money, but I like the car I have, and with my left leg the way it is, I'm not likely to be trading my car in for a manual ANYTHING, probably for at least a few years.

Unless there are cars with manual transmissions that don't have a clutch pedal, that also don't suck really badly (my girlfriend's celica comes to mind), that I just don't know about, I'm likely to be stuck with automatics.

Also, upon re-checking, it's a 4-speed automatic, which makes me a bit happier :-p

Honest question, how much of a 1/4 mile time difference is there between the exact same car, same mods, and automatic vs. manual?

Also, will the B&M Shiftplus help with that, or is it still going be about as sucky as it is now?

autos can be made just as fast or even faster than manuals.

a B&M shiftplus will help you



Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!

Why is it that everyone thinks a manual is so much faster then a automatic, its the same engine putting down the same horsepower, either way you look at it. I prefer a auto over a manual anymore. Stick with you car and look into that B&M shiftplus you will see a improvement.

u lose some hp due to the torque converter.. but imo i am a auto fan

With manual trans. you have the ability to shift faster and harder than in an auto. An auto was designed for smooth shifts, therfore the shifts aren't as hard or fast. A shift kit can greatly help with this. Auto's keep more consistant et's that a mauals as well.
In my personal opinion, I would rather have a manual because they are more fun to drive, but I think they are equal in a matter of performance...each have it's pro's and con's.

I heard with the auto's you can manually shift them from 1-2-3-D so you can take them close to redline too (as far as the rev limiter will let you at least which I think is 6K)... but I've never tried it.

You can and it won't hurt anything. It just wont shift as hard, meaning the speed it takes to complete the shift. Gear ratio's also play a large role in the difference between the two types of trannys. It really doesent matter which way you go. Both auto's and manuals have an equal amount of potential for performance. It's just preferance...

One of the biggest differences between auto and manual comes up when you decide how much power you want to be putting down. GENERALLY speaking manuals hold more power (unless we're talking a full race auto) so for a street driven car if you plan on putting down a lot of power you'll probably need to go with a manual. Also manuals are much cheaper and easier to work on, as a result they're better for modded cars because if you blow your tranny you don't have to spend quite so much to get it fixed. As far as shift speeds are concerned most modern Automatics are just as fast if not faster at shifting than you're average person using a manual. That said with a manual you have more control over the shift points which CAN make your car perform better than an automatic, it can also make your car perform worse than an automatic if you don't know how to use it properly.

Now as far as cars that don't require a clutch pedal you're thinking like an auto-manual. Now for a really decent auto-manual you'll probably have to go with something european (Vokswagen Groups Tiptronic comes to mind) or with a few select japanese ones. But as with regular automatics they also have the problem of generally not being able to stand up to power all too well, usually actually a lower threshold than on an automatic. Thats not to say that they can't (like in a ferrari or some such thing) but it's not gonna be cheap.

whitefalconiv wrote:Unless there are cars with manual transmissions that don't have a clutch pedal, that also don't suck really badly (my girlfriend's celica comes to mind), that I just don't know about, I'm likely to be stuck with automatics.

my mom's chrysler sebring has an "autostick"... its really cool. it can be auto when you want it to but when you want it to be manual, you put it into autostick and its basically a bump shifter from there. its a lot of fun to play with.




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auto trannys can shift faster and more precise with a b&m kit... the main advantage of the manual tranny is the ability to control your downshift to maintain rpm's through turns. autos rule the bracket races at our local 1/4 mile. plus the auto eliminates the human variable where most mistakes are made. keep your car. you may want to consider all the options as far as boost goes look into the hahn at www.ryne.com then go to his store you may save some money and leave yourself with options for upgrading the turbo system making more power later down the road if you choose. i have been in a turbo'd eco cav b4 and loved it we waxed stang gt's all night. i havent been in a supercharged eco 2.2 before so i cant really do a comparison. the main thing is dont listn to all the h8ers out there just proove them wrong about the auto and build your car to kill their 5 sp.

i had a 4 sp auto b4 i got my 5 sp fire and the 4 sp shifted fast enough to keep up w/most 5 sp with a short throw tougeman obviously didnt do his homework. read and learn b4 you post touge.

Does the Hahn turbo kit work with an automatic? Cause every turbo kit I've looked at only fits in with a manual.

Bah, so many people that think they know so much.

Your Eco can be as quick as a manual. With an Auto, you can be sure you will never miss a shift. My Z24 would keep up with most 5 speed Z24s anyday. I had a B&M shift Kit installed but still. Just because you have an auto, doesn't mean anything reguarding how fast you can make your car. There is a DSM around here that is an Auto. He never get's out of boost when he's racing thanks to the auto.

Intake and Exhaust are a good start.

The GMPP S/C for the Eco is a good choice for a reliable, quick J.

Also, don't forget about Suspension. Some of the biggest complaints and reviews on J-Bodies are because of Body Roll.

idk about that ill try and find out for you tho...

whitefalconiv wrote:Does the Hahn turbo kit work with an automatic? Cause every turbo kit I've looked at only fits in with a manual.

ask Hahn themselves



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