Do Honda automatics use planetary gearsets?
What did they add to go from 2spd to 3 and 4speed?
I read some are semi automatic, that means you shift manually?
And they turn counterclockwise, as you look at the converter?
Sorry for the stupid questions. Thanks. This board rocks!

 

First of all, any books on a Turbo Hydromatic have very little to do with a Honda auto trans. They don't have planetary anything. Honda automatics look very similar to the manuals, input shaft next to an output shaft, differential and all that. The difference is that instead of using dogs to engage different gears, they use fluid activated clutch packs that lock up and transfer power. So they didn't "add" anything to add gears, they had a different design to begin with.

Semi-automatic means you tell the computer that controls the transmission what gear to put it in. It still controls the solenoids that transfer the fluid.

Yes, looking at the convertor, they turn counter clockwise. So it goes:

Input Shaft - counterclockwise
Output Shaft - clockwise
Differential - counterclockwise
Giant Burnout - counterclockwise

Welcome to honda tech, make sure you search before asking a common question, lest you be consumed in flame. I hope this helped.