Performance Shift Tuning

JSH · 03-22-2026, 02:23 PM

When I tap it into PS at 60 mpg it downshifts to 3rd gear.

Is there a way to tune the TCM to only drop down to 4th gear?

ZLRob · 03-29-2026, 03:50 PM

Possibly, but as of current, I don't believe that those defined tables do not exist within the TCM.

It would be awesome to be able to tune the TCM so it would be more selectable to switch into performance shift mode, but without a strong push from us to HPT I don't know if access to all that will happen.

JSH · 03-29-2026, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZLRob

Possibly, but as of current, I don't believe that those defined tables do not exist within the TCM.

It would be awesome to be able to tune the TCM so it would be more selectable to switch into performance shift mode, but without a strong push from us to HPT I don't know if access to all that will happen.

I've always driven it in manual when I was serious about it, but performance seemed like a potentially good place to be on a dig. It simply drops down too many gears to be useful to me. Traction is almost non-existent.

WhiteMale · 03-30-2026, 06:59 AM

I know mine drops to the lowest possible gear and that's VERY aggressive most of the time it's the no FAFO mode lolol

KingLT1 · 03-30-2026, 10:47 AM

Not really...just have to manually tap the shifter to get into the gear you want.

arpad_m · 03-30-2026, 12:12 PM

What happens if you hold the downshift paddle? Does the trans go into the same too low gear?

roostere4 · 03-30-2026, 12:22 PM

If you hold in the downshift paddle the transmission will shift to the lowest available gear. Have done this so know this occurs, if you are in automatic mode.

however not sure if the same behavior occurs in manual mode.

JSH · 03-31-2026, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roostere4

If you hold in the downshift paddle the transmission will shift to the lowest available gear. Have done this so know this occurs, if you are in automatic mode.

however not sure if the same behavior occurs in manual mode.

You're saying that when you're driving in manual in 5th gear, and you tap the pedal, it will downshift to 4th or 3rd? Mine never has, but I'll try again. When I tap it into PS, I can upshift, but it skips a gear, from 3rd to 5th, for example, rather than my intended 4th gear.

KingLT1 · 04-01-2026, 01:06 PM

If you tap the paddle it should only shift 1 gear at a time. If you hold the left paddle it will skip shift to the lowest gear possible.

17CamaroZL1 · 04-08-2026, 12:44 PM

The best method I found for roll racing was being in auto, quickly blip the gas pedal to the floor, as long as you're above 30 to 40 mph, the car will not take off, but simply downshift to the best gear for acceleration at that speed (at least stock), then pull the shifter over to manual to maintain that gear. After you start the race, push the shifter back over to auto and let it do its thing. Of course being modded or in low traction situations, you may want to tap up 1 gear after pulling the shifter into manual.

KingLT1 · 04-09-2026, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17CamaroZL1

The best method I found for roll racing was being in auto, quickly blip the gas pedal to the floor, as long as you're above 30 to 40 mph, the car will not take off, but simply downshift to the best gear for acceleration at that speed (at least stock), then pull the shifter over to manual to maintain that gear. After you start the race, push the shifter back over to auto and let it do its thing. Of course being modded or in low traction situations, you may want to tap up 1 gear after pulling the shifter into manual.

That is a lot of steps. You should look into getting a "roll race trans tune" for TUTD manual mode. All I have to do is pull the shifter into manual, select the gear I want, and floor it. The trans will still shift on its own from there.

JSH · 04-09-2026, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingLT1

That is a lot of steps. You should look into getting a "roll race trans tune" for TUTD manual mode. All I have to do is pull the shifter into manual, select the gear I want, and floor it. The trans will still shift on its own from there.

That's what I've always used. My post addresses that, while in PS, I tap the pedal and it drops, say, from 5th to 3rd. Often, when I manually upshift to 4th, it shifts to 5th. The whole point to all this is, wanting to quickly get to the best gear for my car at that moment. Manual is clearly the most consistent.

*mlee* · 04-09-2026, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17CamaroZL1

The best method I found for roll racing was being in auto, quickly blip the gas pedal to the floor, as long as you're above 30 to 40 mph, the car will not take off, but simply downshift to the best gear for acceleration at that speed (at least stock), then pull the shifter over to manual to maintain that gear. After you start the race, push the shifter back over to auto and let it do its thing. Of course being modded or in low traction situations, you may want to tap up 1 gear after pulling the shifter into manual.

This^^^ blip the throttle to PS which works perfectly for roll racing. Popping the shifter over to manual will hold it but no need if you're going to take off right away.

03-22-2026, 02:23 PM	#1
JSH Drives: '20 ZLE Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Mile High Posts: 4,192	Performance Shift Tuning When I tap it into PS at 60 mpg it downshifts to 3rd gear. Is there a way to tune the TCM to only drop down to 4th gear? __________________ 2020 ZL1LE A10. LME LT4 390 short block, LME CID Heads, Kong E2650, FBO. 15" conversion, MT ET Street R 325/15. 100 octane: 1045hp/1055tq. 100 octane + Meth (1x10+): 1117 hp/1067 tq

03-29-2026, 03:50 PM	#2
ZLRob Super Stock Drives: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Concordia Posts: 982	Possibly, but as of current, I don't believe that those defined tables do not exist within the TCM. It would be awesome to be able to tune the TCM so it would be more selectable to switch into performance shift mode, but without a strong push from us to HPT I don't know if access to all that will happen. __________________ 2017 Red Hot ZL1 A10 - Apex ARC-8's, 305/ 325 PS4's, DSX 9.06 12% lower, Griptec OE upper, NGK HR7 Ruthenium plugs, Nostrum 25+ injectors, XDI Goliath HPFP, Katech dual in tank LPFP, Katech oil pump, LME tensioner, DOD delete, LT1 big fuel cam, Jokerz ported blower, MPI lid, GMS hood extractor bracket, Granatelli SS plug wires, Cordes LTR reservoir, DMS T-stat housing, 186* LS3 T-stat, Borla X pipe, Black Widow Angry Housewife/ Corsa NPP mufflers, BMR engine mounts, Banks iDash, Lithium Battery, AEM X- Series, HP Tuners, E85, 16.5 psi 758 HP/ 804 TQ

03-30-2026, 10:47 AM	#5
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 7,641	Not really...just have to manually tap the shifter to get into the gear you want. __________________ 2016 NFG SS A8/Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel

03-30-2026, 12:12 PM	#6
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 13,448 View My Garage	What happens if you hold the downshift paddle? Does the trans go into the same too low gear? __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle Terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18 Last edited by arpad_m; 04-01-2026 at 08:25 PM.

04-01-2026, 01:06 PM	#9
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 7,641	If you tap the paddle it should only shift 1 gear at a time. If you hold the left paddle it will skip shift to the lowest gear possible. __________________ 2016 NFG SS A8/Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel

03-30-2026, 06:59 AM	#4
WhiteMale Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: MO Posts: 2,257	I know mine drops to the lowest possible gear and that's VERY aggressive most of the time it's the no FAFO mode lolol

03-30-2026, 12:22 PM	#7
roostere4 Drives: 1987 IROC, 2020 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Nashvile Posts: 147	If you hold in the downshift paddle the transmission will shift to the lowest available gear. Have done this so know this occurs, if you are in automatic mode. however not sure if the same behavior occurs in manual mode.

04-08-2026, 12:44 PM	#10
17CamaroZL1 Life's Short, Live Fast! Drives: 2017 Hyper Blue A10 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: London, KY Posts: 2,017	The best method I found for roll racing was being in auto, quickly blip the gas pedal to the floor, as long as you're above 30 to 40 mph, the car will not take off, but simply downshift to the best gear for acceleration at that speed (at least stock), then pull the shifter over to manual to maintain that gear. After you start the race, push the shifter back over to auto and let it do its thing. Of course being modded or in low traction situations, you may want to tap up 1 gear after pulling the shifter into manual. __________________ Life's Short, Live Fast! Bone Stock https://youtu.be/rTUv2p4T7OA 10.94 at 128 mph, 11.13 at 127mph 870 DA, https://youtu.be/e_X_LcpFp50 11.19 at 127mph 1100 DA Full exhaust, lower pulley, E35 -10.36 at 133 mph 690 DA straight from the street with a slight spin at launch. TZQPHG '17 ZL1 HBM\|A10\|Nav\|PDR\|CFW Hood\|ZL1 Mats 12/26/2016 Ordered! 2/8/2017 Built!! 3/2/2017 Brought Home!!!

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