Auto or Manual
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: Peoria IL
auto could be more 'consistent' if you race on a streight line (which means you dont race at all
)...but if you're serious about real racing which means accelerations, stops, right turns, left turns and high speeds, well then there is NO alternative to stick...did you ask yourself why rally cars, formula cars (formula one, two, three, formula 3.000, and many others) and various other race cars do not use auto?
)...but if you're serious about real racing which means accelerations, stops, right turns, left turns and high speeds, well then there is NO alternative to stick...did you ask yourself why rally cars, formula cars (formula one, two, three, formula 3.000, and many others) and various other race cars do not use auto?
exactly what I was thinking , I also much prefer a stick shift but maybe that because 99% of the cars in the UK are stick so thats what I am used to. Auto's are just a bit boring to drive - for me
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
most times in street and casual drag racing it is the automatic, and usually a Powerglide,,,modified tho. Once you get into the Jegs and such area the clutchless manuals get the nod, probably because of their being more efficient for 1/4 mile work. Peace,,,Moosie
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
An automatic is always better at the track for bracket racing consistency, but it has been my experience that with the right driver, a manual trans will turn the best E/T's.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
All things equal, a good driver will be faster with a stick car.
Of course, that is with a hard launch and power-shifting. There's no doubt about that..
For example... Ranger ran approx. 10.85 with a stock C6 Z06 on drag radials. If you'd put a automatic into a C6 Z06, you'd probably run probably 1 second slower (with stock converter). With a high stall aftermarket converter, you can maybe make it into the mid 11's but that's about it...
Automatics are more consistent for bracket racing even though a good driver can also be pretty consistent with stock shift..
Raced my C6 Vert 6-speed at the last Corvette Challenge and my last 3 lights were .04 .02 and .05. However, I let the car bog off the line in order to achieve good R/T's.. If I try to launch hard with a stick shift, my R/T's are all over the place..
There are 2 reasons for a automatic: Consistency and less parts breakage..
Of course, that is with a hard launch and power-shifting. There's no doubt about that..
For example... Ranger ran approx. 10.85 with a stock C6 Z06 on drag radials. If you'd put a automatic into a C6 Z06, you'd probably run probably 1 second slower (with stock converter). With a high stall aftermarket converter, you can maybe make it into the mid 11's but that's about it...
Automatics are more consistent for bracket racing even though a good driver can also be pretty consistent with stock shift..
Raced my C6 Vert 6-speed at the last Corvette Challenge and my last 3 lights were .04 .02 and .05. However, I let the car bog off the line in order to achieve good R/T's.. If I try to launch hard with a stick shift, my R/T's are all over the place..
There are 2 reasons for a automatic: Consistency and less parts breakage..
Last edited by GrandSportC3; Mar 9, 2007 at 08:11 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
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Safety Car
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Manual trans cars are quicker, driven properly, in a drag race. Look at the NHRA indexes for Stock and Super Stock classes. Automatics are generally .05 to .1 second slower. This is with stock type transmissions. Although they are power-shifted, the driver is still using the clutch while shifting. Some of this probably is due to having 4 gears versus 3 in the automatic.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Team Owner
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07