How do I get more "instant" power from my GTP?

[99SilverSE]

Right now I when I floor it "to pass a car" I get some lag and it seems to not wanna downshift right away. Like it downshifts one gear and then waits and shifts down again. I wanna know what I could do to get it to react faster?

I think I know the answer but I wanna hear it from you guys first.

[bonnevillain]

Does it do the same thing if you are driving along with the gear selector in 3 instead of Drive? Your car only has 3 gears, you can't be shifting down to first at highway speeds.

[00Beast]

I think he means it's dropping down into 3rd, then 2nd. It's your Drive By wire kicking in, as it takes the PCM a few milliseconds to compensate from you mashing on the throttle to actually opening it. That's because the throttle is actually a rheostat actuated by your foot, which in turn activates an actuator on the throttle body to open the throttle. All that takes more time than your foot pulling on a cable.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Program in the "skip-shift" behavior with a tune. If it can be tuned.

[LeSabreUltra]

Program in the "skip-shift" behavior with a tune. If it can be tuned.

This. Brad did it to my LeSabre and it made two lane road passing downright exciting to do.
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[bonnevillain]

Even without a tune it should downshift smoothly.

[00Beast]

It's just taking a split second to kick down. It's very common with Drive by Wire cars, as throttle response isn't as quick as cable throttle cars.

[Larz01]

decrease torque reduction, change normal shift points, increase shift pressure, reduce shift time , and change shift switch type.

[xX3800Xx]

It's just taking a split second to kick down. It's very common with Drive by Wire cars, as throttle response isn't as quick as cable throttle cars.

Its not the drive by wire. The crappy throttle response is programed in there for some reason on DBW cars, but it doesnt have anything to do with the shifts.

I bet you've never been in a DBW VW when the EPC light comes on that gets scary especially in a built MKIV. Throttle Cables FTW

If you want it to shift faster your going to have to do what Larz01 said and a shift kit.

[99SilverSE]

OK my thought was get a PCM tune and shift kit. It be good to get/make a FWI also. right?

[Larz01]

You really don't need a shift kit, just turn up the line pressure.

[wjcollier07]

Ed - Drive by wire isn't that slow at all...its nearly instant actually. What's causing the issue is the MASSIVE amount of control the PCM can have over what you're ASKING the throttle plate to do. If the PCM doesn't want you to do something, it doesn't have to just dumb down the timing anymore like it used to do in older designs with a cable throttle, it just doesn't open the throttle as much. They essentially made 10 things into one by creating not only a huge actuator, but also a sensor, and thereby, a controller.

And your PCM will need to be tweaked a little to get it to skip shift, and also some tweaks to turn down the parental controls a little.

And to whomever said just turn up line pressure..that's a very good way to get uneven, harsh, unenjoyable shifting. Shift kits are generally an easier way to get consistently firmer, authoritative shifts.

Ah, yes, and make sure your transmission has a new filter, DEX VI, and a nice oversize air to oil cooler before you start demanding more out of it. If your transmission EVER sees over 210F, you're already cooking it. Transmission oil should never, EVER be hotter than coolant, and optimally, should be 10 - 20 degrees cooler at any given time.

[tan96ssei]

tuning is the easiest way to quiken shifts. you can also controll how much throttle is needed to downshift and line pressure and much more. hell tuning can also can tweak your motor for a few more ponies. in todays cars the quickest and easiest way to "squeeze a little more juice out of the lemon (no pun intended)" is tune the PCM (motor and trans tables).

BUT with all this being said about tuning you need to take precautions. like wjcollier07 stated a shift kit is is a much better alternative to just cranking the parameters of your transmission. some tuning mods need a supporting mechanical mods. for example adjusting your MAF tables can be done to a small degree without mechanical support mods, but to crank them even higher you might invest into a northstar throttle body.

so research alot before tuning cause without supporting mods tuning it from stock can actually cause more damage than leaving it alone in some situations

[Larz01]

And to whomever said just turn up line pressure..that's a very good way to get uneven, harsh, unenjoyable shifting. Shift kits are generally an easier way to get consistently firmer, authoritative shifts.

To each their own;
Mine are free, take a minute to do, even, firm, and enjoyable on complete stock trans *even scared my friend when he drove my car and it downshifted*= hence base pressure and performance (OP: shift kit isn't going to do everything, you need to tune)

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Shift kit plus more line pressure at WOT equals fast, firm shifts. I'd know, I have both.

Definitely get the transmission FLUSHED (caps for emphasis) with Dexron-VI. It's so much better than Dex-III at giving well-mannered shifts and resisting heat breakdown. I'm loving the SuperTech Dexron-VI in my car's transmission. It's much more consistent in how it shifts both cold and hot.