M103

how do you do it? want to start my auto on 1st and change rear dif so 1st is basically 2nd gear.

M103

I've searched quite a while, they all tell you what you can do but not how. does anyone have a tutorial or like pics. i dont want to reinvent the wheel here.

m103!! 1987

QVHK

If I remember correctly, if you select "2" on the shift bar, the car will start on 1st and up-shift to 2nd but stay there until you shift further upward. Alternatively, if you select "S" ("S" and "W" on the floor panel), and when you floor your gas pedal the engine will sense that you want full acceleration, in which case it will start on 1st and up-shift by itself, but staying longer at each gear to ensure faster pick-up.

M103

im pretty sure i do not have that switch unless its hidden. i can only do the shift bar thing. which is dumb for an automatic.

neanderthal

There is a valve in the transmission valve body that (theoretically) when reversed, will start you car in first gear every time.

Good luck with the search for the details though. May your google- fu be strong.

RBYCC

Keep in mind that you have a 3.07 final drive ratio.
Your first gear in the 722.3 auto box is 3.68, so 3.68 x 3.07 = 11.29 ratio in first gear.

Confused by your statement : "want to start my auto on 1st and change rear dif so 1st is basically 2nd gear."

How do you intend to numerically attain this

M103

not sure the ratios of the box. Where's that info? i know the 93 300e has a 2.65 in it. Im sure i can find shorter. would the 300e fit? my 87 260e?

Im not talking that exact i would like 1st to be less powerful as my goal, 1st gear feels a little to aggressive and short lived for city driving. although there is no point of this if i cant do fgs. i would like to see how people have done this with valve. everyone talks about it but i haven't see any evidence that it works or if people do it.

I hope this would reduce my 60mph rpms to 2.6k

RBYCC

The 2.65 has a larger housing then what is used in the M103 cars.
I just noticed that you have a 260E which would have a 3.27 rear gear.

If you have a 260E then you should have a 3.27 rear ratio.
If you change it out to a readily available 3.07 that was used in all the 3.0L M103 124's ( except the 300TE which uses the same ratio as the 260 ) then you would be doing 2600RPM @ 60MPH.

One of the reasons for the second gear start was because of the 3.07/3.27/3.67 rear gear ratios in the early M103-12V cars.
The later 124's with different engine torque characteristics used a first gear start in conjuction with 2.65/2.87 rear ratios.

M103

that would be alot better and easier. So i will get the whole 3.07 diff and probally replace some worn parts. the car has a 1/3rd of a mil miles on it.
So, do i need to go to a mechanic for the FGS? I need a tutorial, Idont have enough ***** to mess with it without a guide.

RBYCC

Still confused as why you need the FGS...
Your complaint was too aggressive of a first gear which is why the M103 was designed to start in second gear.

M103

well its not too aggressive it just shifts way to fast. too short lived its rather jarring, i hope the rear end gear would change that. also lower my 60mph rpms.

RBYCC

Whether you have a first or second gear start it won't effect how and at what speed the transmission shifts.
The shift point is dependent on the throttle position and rate of change.
under normal driving conditions the transmission shifts in every gear at a lower rpm and with less engagement pressure.
Full throttle will cause the transmission to shift at max rpm and engage much harder.

Why not just adjust your bowden cable.

Do a forum search as the topic has been covered many times...

The "search" is your friend !