Manual/Automatic

[NewLS1]

I was wondering if a trans am makes a big difference by being automatic or manual, and how much of a difference does it make? how much is your 1/4 mile affected, lets say both are even level drivers..

This may sound like a stupid question, but i ask because i used to have a automatic GTP, so if i get a 6 speed trans am i will need to learn to drive manual. Is it worth me going through the trouble of becoming a good manual driver or should i stick to automatics.

Also i know many people say get a manual it's better, but most dont really know why, rather they just heard it from someone else.

[AiDRocks]

GET A M6! You'll have more control over the power in your car.

[Mike's TA]

Unless I'm mistaken, The manual is better.

Lighter car cause the tranny is lighter. Also get more HP/Torque to the rear. Power is more instant, people talk about turbo lag, I say automatics have tranny lag.

The automatic is preferred for a daily driver situation, unless you don't mind sitting in traffic with a stick, like me.

I like being able to rev her up whenever I want. Can be done with Automatic, just easier with a stick.

[third_shift|studios]

auto is the standard for drag racing.

[NewLS1]

thanks for the replies, i just dont know if i will be a good manual driver, maybe you get use to it once you get practice.. so any idea how much of a difference there is in a 1/4 mile time between Automatic/manual? I will be driving the car as my daily driver, so will have to deal with traffic..

[Zboner]

manuals= more fun

autos=constant times in the 1/4 mile.

i have both

[nhraformula]

manuals= more fun

autos=constant times in the 1/4 mile.

i have both

correction to above, stalled autos=more fun

[NewLS1]

so in other words, there is really no big difference between a manual and automatic.

If you line up 2 stock trans ams 1 manual other automatic, who would win in 1/4 mile, and by how much? both with even level drivers.

[Zboner]

not much difference

[NewLS1]

so basically it's just a driver's preference. thanks for the help was wondering, because there are a couple of trans ams for sale around my area but most are automatics.

What about reliability of the vehicle, which would be better?

As far as modding i just plan on doing some basic mods, and run some nitrous.

[2000T/A Guru]

Right it is driver preference but an auto also looses more power goin form the motor to the wheels and yeah they can be stalled and be beats at the track but a stall converter also makes you loose a little power getting to the wheels.

[NewLS1]

they can be stalled? what does this mean?

[sfletch2000]

He's talking about the torque converter, you go with a high stall converter in a auto so you can launch the car better.

[2000pontiac6]

In the 1/4 mile autos know exactly when to shift and will always be consistant as stated above. An auto with a torque/stall converter will basically beat the manual off teh line all day long. So if you plan on juist having fun at the track go with the auto but if you like playing around on the street get a manual. Racing from a roll the manual is better because you can down shift.

[NewLS1]

ok thanks

[ls1blackbeauty98]

Im personally a fan of auto, especially when it comes to racing. i have yet to see a driver that can outshift an automatic, but again that is my opinion. I raced a stock M6 trans am vs my stock A4 and i smoked him, because he honestly was to slow at the shift, but im sure a good drive with an M6 would have beat me, anyway most consistant 1/4 time, and faster 1/4 time A4.

[Badbird]

i have a M6 and im gonna sell it and buy an A4.. clutches get expensive when you roll on DR's ...

[Arrison24]

all you really need to ask yourself is whether you want to learn to, and then obviously shift yourself...OR... do u want a computer to shift for you

other than that only real differences are that you can rev it anywhere any time on an M6 and an M6 vs. an A4 on a roll the M6 is almost guaranteed the win because as stated previously, you can downshift


as far as the wear and tear goes, ive heard manual transmissions last longer IF you are a good shifter


personally im pretty lazy and its my daily driver so i only go with autos

hope that helped

[nhraformula]

In the 1/4 mile autos know exactly when to shift and will always be consistant as stated above. An auto with a torque/stall converter will basically beat the manual off teh line all day long. So if you plan on juist having fun at the track go with the auto but if you like playing around on the street get a manual. Racing from a roll the manual is better because you can down shift.

not like an automatic doesnt down shift.
stalls are not only for racing, they give an advantage off a roll also.

[Thunda]

I have an A4 and it has gotten off the line faster than a M6 and it is always consistent. I am running a Vig 3200 stall torque convertor and the car hooks good and it is good in regular traffic. I have a 4-sp 455 1976 and you have to push the cluch in when dealing in Atlanta triffic. I say Automatic!