Automatic Performance
 

I have a 1985/2 944 NA Automatic. I am pleased to say after 3+ years, I have gotten to drive it! I bought it with coolant/oil mix in the engine, put it on the stand, replaced seals, w/p, rod bearings. Also replaced flex damper with a clutch disk.
I have previously driven manuals, so am unfamiliar with how an automatic drives. Only 2 trips around the block so far, but it seems that it responds okay up to 40 or so. Up to 35-40, i can hit the pedal and get a moderate downshift/passing gear. After 50, no down shift. Can folks with experience with automatics post how theirs perform? I am planning on checking the filter/screen that I saw in another post. I have checked the fluid level and it is topped off.
I found an adjustment in the Haynes manual that I will try soon and past back.

If all is well with the engine tune-up it will downshift and kick you in the shorts up to 60 or so. But I only tested it once, I don't want to have to do the flex disk (or in your case the torque tube bearings) again. 944's make lousy dragsters.

Double check the cables are tight and free to move.
944 auto is purely mechanical so all the linkages need to be inspected.

It's a 3-spd so the gears are Looooooong.

Always been a crazy idea in the back of my mind to put a turbo on an auto 944 and make a dragster.

Just to post back, I found the problem. The car had sat for so long that the gear on the throttle mechanism was stuck. Lubed that up while having my lovely assistant push the pedal and it finally freed and gave me the correct operation. I do get passing gear function now. I am not sure the car has enough pep for me to want to keep it, but it is really nice to finally drive it. bought it 3 years ago and finally get to drive it every day to work! Smooth for around town. Now anxious to get the next one moving.
http://s650.photobucket.com/user/Ron...sxrbw.jpg.html