Re: Ultramatic by Borg-Warner?

Posted by Tim Cole On 2015/1/10 15:11:14

These new transmissions really are impressive engineering. The more speeds a unit has (up to a point) the more reliable the unit can be, and the better the fuel mileage.

If you look at the curb weight of some of today's vehicles it is significantly higher per square inch of volume than older cars. Mostly that's due to all the gadgetry being crammed into these pigs.

Having more ratios reduces stresses within the transmission. A case in point consider Turbo-Glide which sent all the torque through the same path. The thing was a disaster that blew apart under stress.

If torque is being split more ways the components can be made smaller and lighter. Computer control also reduces problems inherent in so many synchronous shifts.

The result is that my 20 year old modern car with less horsepower and weight doesn't do as well as the same price bracket pig being sold today which is heavier and has twice as much horsepower. However, recently I told one of the engineers they really need to figure out how to sell transportation because that market is underserved. I use a car to get where I want to go for the least hassle. If I hand my choice I would walk. Which I did for a while.