Shutting car off while in gear

[Bobby Fazio]

I can't ratchet up to neutral through the finish line. Is it safe to shut car off while in third gear through the traps? Will that stop the pump and lose lubrication in the trans? I want to check all the plugs after a run.

[Dragsinger]

Bobby,

I do not know the solid answer but to me, it seems like a potential problem. I have visions of the pump pressure slowly bleeding off and causing what ever clutch pack is engaged to slip. A one time deal might be OK ??

In my opinion, I think your plug reading would be acceptable to just stop as quickly as practical and switch engine off as you near a stop.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Bobby, would be best I think to contact whom ever built your trans and run it by them first.

[SSGT Mustang]

Bobby,

Congratulations for making it to the final at Atco last weekend. Great driving, and a close race.

Don't know what you have for a shifter, but the quarter stick shifts very easy from 3rd to neutral in a C4 with a reverse pattern. Pull back the lever and push right up. I had one for years before going to a PPP pneumatic shifter in my super stocker.

Another solution would be to call Joel's for a valve body with an electric neutral. I've heard mixed reviews about them, but I think that they make the only clean neutral valve body for a C4. I'm probably going to go that route too, since shifting back from 3rd with the PPP leaves something to be desired. You're almost waiting for that moment when it gets hung up in the pattern, and you don't reach neutral.

Good luck.

[gmeyer]

Clean "N" valve body will be the best and safest investment you can make
Call Joels he will set you up 248- 446-6024

[HR9121]

Wouldn't it just be safer to switch to a forward pattern valve body?

[chris ok]

Might be off base but would it work to use a wide band o2 and record somehow it's readings over the 1/4 mile. Even w a go pro videoing it

[btrc]

We have one of Joel's electric neutral setups and it works great. In fact I probably use it more than I should. Return road etc.

[Mack Reeves]

Originally Posted by HR9121

Wouldn't it just be safer to switch to a forward pattern valve body?

I asked the same question to someone I consider an expert and his opinion is that the neutral on a forward shift is a natural neutral but not a "clean neutral. Something about the path of the fluid in a natural neutral is totally different from a "clean neutral". He has both types of valve bodies and still recommends the clean neutral for shifting on the top end. I bought the clean neutral one for myself. Even though I had to purchase a new shifter also. Oh the PPP is now my shifter of choice.

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by Mack Reeves

I asked the same question to someone I consider an expert and his opinion is that the neutral on a forward shift is a natural neutral but not a "clean neutral. Something about the path of the fluid in a natural neutral is totally different from a "clean neutral". He has both types of valve bodies and still recommends the clean neutral for shifting on the top end. I bought the clean neutral one for myself. Even though I had to purchase a new shifter also. Oh the PPP is now my shifter of choice.

Thanks, I didn't realize this. I guess I better ask my transmission guy some questions.