C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Auto vs. manual

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 7, 2002 | 03:24 PM
  #1  
Brettmc's Avatar
Brettmc
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Default Auto vs. manual

**
I know personal preference is the deciding factor between the two but which one is less trouble? The only manual cars I have had had the internal rail shifting mechanism and a hydraulic clutch. Is the external shift linkage on the C3s a problem? How about the non-hydraulic clutch?
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2002 | 03:32 PM
  #2  
SmokedTires's Avatar
SmokedTires
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

If you buy a car with the manual already in it, you shouldn't have to worry too much about the linkage. If there is a problem, you should be able to have it adjusted to correct it.

And yes it becomes personal preferance as to which type of tranny you like best. People that road race perfer a manual. Many people that drag race perfer an auto for the faster shifting. On the street it's up to you ;) .
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2002 | 03:34 PM
  #3  
BB wowbagger's Avatar
BB wowbagger
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

**
I know personal preference is the deciding factor between the two but which one is less trouble? The only manual cars I have had had the internal rail shifting mechanism and a hydraulic clutch. Is the external shift linkage on the C3s a problem? How about the non-hydraulic clutch?
Well,you better have a strong left leg,if your sitting in traffic a long time,its kinda "heavy".The linkage has no known problems what i know off anyway.
A sportcar always have manual tranmission :cheers:
Runnin`the rat with man tranny is fun,really fun.Never driven a SB,but i can guess its really great too.. :cool:
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2002 | 03:38 PM
  #4  
ericshaw's Avatar
ericshaw
Racer
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: STLMO31Fo
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (BB wowbagger)

I love my 4spd 400 SB... Hell even my Toyota Camry is a manual.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 01:49 AM
  #5  
tnt76vette's Avatar
tnt76vette
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (ericshaw)

I can "get rubber" with my set up from 1st to 2nd gear..........Not all bad for an Auto. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 02:20 AM
  #6  
PrarieShark's Avatar
PrarieShark
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: The cure for the blues is eight cylinders roaring
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (tnt76vette)

Driving 9 and 18 speed trucks all the time, an auto is a nice break for me. :cheers: pirsonal preference for me.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 04:35 AM
  #7  
Darkness's Avatar
Darkness
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

IMHO man trans are better for performance period. And as to shifting I tend to prefer a shifter with external shift linkage than a internal rail shifting mechanism, externals are normally smother than center rail. As to hydraulic clutch, yes its the best, it can have a shorter pedal travel, with alot less efort.
Paul :cheers:
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 06:30 AM
  #8  
OnlyC3-4me's Avatar
OnlyC3-4me
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Palm City Fl
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

What are you doing with the car? Daily driver? Stop n go traffic? A great car that your "significant other" can use sometimes or just for nights out? The four speed cars are not bad at all. My idea is to have one of each :yesnod: . The bride shot that down....all it took was the "Stare" :mad .
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 06:34 AM
  #9  
Rogue Wave's Avatar
Rogue Wave
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

Personal preference is the key.

30 years ago I preferred a stick and loved the feeling of having my brain pressed firmly in the back of my skull.

Now I get dizzy if I turn my head too quickly (probably related to my stick years) and my knees crack so loud they can be heard over the sweet sound of my corvette's exhaust. :lol:

I'm an old cruiser now and prefer an automatic. :cool:

As for which is less trouble... well, thats relative... which ever one you don't have is always less trouble. :yesnod:


[Modified by gb4622, 5:34 AM 8/8/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 07:08 AM
  #10  
Larry B.'s Avatar
Larry B.
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

C3's had a variety of different transmission. Some better than others. StocK GM linkage for the manual trans cars is not that great but Hurst replacements can fix that. In the late seventies the automatics switched from TH400's which were very TOUGH, to TH350's which are OK unless you are putting a lot of power to it.. The one (the only trans) available in 82 was a new 700R4 which was calibrated poorly and created drivability/reliability problems. The trans shifted into overdrive very early creating a "lugged" condition. There are chips to fix that if it still has the original trans. The manual trans cars do have a stiff clutch. Manual or standard trans cars are about the same for price. Like others say it is personal preference. A swap over isn't as easy on corvettes as it is on some other cars tough.


[Modified by silvervetteman, 6:11 AM 8/8/2002]


[Modified by silvervetteman, 6:14 AM 8/8/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 10:09 AM
  #11  
MacA1979's Avatar
MacA1979
Always Shiftin'
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 939
From: Central Florida
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (stock)
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

I always love it when this question comes up. Some people get so defensive when you express a strong opinion for either transmission. It is good to see that the responses so far are for the most part "politically correct"!!

10 years ago I would have said: "It is a crime to have anything but a manual transmission in a Corvette", or "I guess GM had to put the automatic in the Corvette for the women drivers". But I know now that that kind of thinking is shallow and immature! :p:

Now that I am older and more open minded I recognize that the automatic transmission does have its value! Why do you think that all mini vans come equipped that way!!! :reddevil
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 02:06 PM
  #12  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)

I drove my vet for about 10 years with various automatics and finally made the switch to standard 2 years ago. After blowing up 3 700-R4's and 4 torque convertors I switched to a T5 and then a Tremec. I used a hydraulic clutch from a 85 one ton truck and it bolted right in.
I love the stick and wished that I had made the switch 12 years ago. The hydraulic clutch is very light with the high performance 11 inch centerforce pressure plate.
It also feels more like a sports car, frees up alot of extra horsepower and it should get improved gas mileage. Also if you run a wild cam the idle stays cleaner in heavy traffic. Also the wife can never say " let me drive".
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 03:03 PM
  #13  
SicChild's Avatar
SicChild
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Wainwright Alberta
Default Re: Auto vs. manual


I personally prefer automatic. Here's my *thoughts*:

With a stick, you'll go a little faster, feel more like a sports get, maybe get better fuel milage. However, it's a pain in stop and go driving (IMO). No cupholders, try stop-and-go driving while holding a slurpee. It's a pain. I prefer auto just for that fact. It's easier. Call me lazy. =)
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Auto vs. manual





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:09 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE