Automatic or a Stick?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (Corey 68)
If you look at my sig you will see I'm running a 4 speed. :D The only point I was trying to mak was that in SOME cases automatic transmission has some advantages and the owners of these cars have them for a reason and it's NOT because they are lazy or can't shift.
:cheers:
:cheers:
>in SOME cases an auto is preferable.
>the great majority of owners of these cars have them for a reason and it's NOT because they are lazy or can't shift.
very reasonable :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (adamdinat)
It took lot longer to find one (especially on a '74 Convertible) but went with the 4 speed ... it was worth the wait!
This is of course a personal preference but I should point out that unless you're totally "comfortable" with sticks (and I would agree they are not much fun in bumper to bumper traffic) you'll probably avoid them (did you know that only 1 in 5 drivers know how to shift for themselves :D
I'm teaching my oldest son how to drive a stick so he can make up his mind himself (... ahem, ahem, NOT on the 'vette but on my winter car a '98 VW New Beetle TDI with a 5-speed). Of course if you were him what would you rather drive, Mom's minivan or Dad's Red Beetle? He has just about mastered the stick and likes it! :thumbs:
The 'vette has a very nice feel to it with a stick, my clutch is also only about two years old (thanks to previous owner). My only point here is that we need to get the new generation coming in to feel the difference of a stick vs. auto because they don't typically teach it in driver's ed :steering:
This is of course a personal preference but I should point out that unless you're totally "comfortable" with sticks (and I would agree they are not much fun in bumper to bumper traffic) you'll probably avoid them (did you know that only 1 in 5 drivers know how to shift for themselves :D
I'm teaching my oldest son how to drive a stick so he can make up his mind himself (... ahem, ahem, NOT on the 'vette but on my winter car a '98 VW New Beetle TDI with a 5-speed). Of course if you were him what would you rather drive, Mom's minivan or Dad's Red Beetle? He has just about mastered the stick and likes it! :thumbs:
The 'vette has a very nice feel to it with a stick, my clutch is also only about two years old (thanks to previous owner). My only point here is that we need to get the new generation coming in to feel the difference of a stick vs. auto because they don't typically teach it in driver's ed :steering:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Fresno
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (J R C)
I think it all depends on where you derive the majority of pleasure driving your car. Quarter mile at a time....auto
BUT for myself , I will take a twisty mountain road over straight track any day, sitck all the way next vette, for those blasts to the coast or up to the lake! Cant beat a stick in the hills, turns.-TK
:cheers:
BUT for myself , I will take a twisty mountain road over straight track any day, sitck all the way next vette, for those blasts to the coast or up to the lake! Cant beat a stick in the hills, turns.-TK
:cheers:
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,452
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (TJKirby82CE)
i think you guys are totally loosing track of the question that was asked. i think way back, originally, it was, "what do you prefer"
people can make an argument for one thing or another based on the use,
road racing=fat front tires
drag racing=skinny front tires
road racing=firm shocks
drag racing=soft shocks
road racing=heavy sway bars
drag racing=what sway bars?
road racing=four wheel disc brakes
drag racing=four foot parachutes
and on and on.
geez guys, you gotta use the right tool for the job. :rolleyes: no need to argue a preference. and even less need to argue unverifiable speculation.
people can make an argument for one thing or another based on the use,
road racing=fat front tires
drag racing=skinny front tires
road racing=firm shocks
drag racing=soft shocks
road racing=heavy sway bars
drag racing=what sway bars?
road racing=four wheel disc brakes
drag racing=four foot parachutes
and on and on.
geez guys, you gotta use the right tool for the job. :rolleyes: no need to argue a preference. and even less need to argue unverifiable speculation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (79BlueBlue)
I must be getting old.
I used to love a stick. My 5.0 5sp Rustang was both fun and easy to drive,
but I've had enough of that. Since rebuilding and setting up the TH400 with
the shift-kit option, I'm not looking back. I like to have a little fun - but also enjoy
driving to work in (potentially) rush hour. pushing the clutch down for a good
part of an hour sux.
Maybe with a hydraulic clutch ... :p:
I used to love a stick. My 5.0 5sp Rustang was both fun and easy to drive,
but I've had enough of that. Since rebuilding and setting up the TH400 with
the shift-kit option, I'm not looking back. I like to have a little fun - but also enjoy
driving to work in (potentially) rush hour. pushing the clutch down for a good
part of an hour sux.
Maybe with a hydraulic clutch ... :p:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 6
From: Long Island NY
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (79BlueBlue)
First Fact: Cars with Torque Converters are NOT faster then cars Without.
Reason: T/C's slip.
Examples: Dragters - No T/C, Funny Cars - No T/C, Pro Stock - No T/C, NASCAR - No T/C. My car No T/C
Second Fact: 4 speed Muscle Cars (including Vettes) have a higher resale value $$$.
Third Fact: Only get an Auto if your wife has to drive also...(cheaper then a divorce)
Reason: T/C's slip.
Examples: Dragters - No T/C, Funny Cars - No T/C, Pro Stock - No T/C, NASCAR - No T/C. My car No T/C
Second Fact: 4 speed Muscle Cars (including Vettes) have a higher resale value $$$.
Third Fact: Only get an Auto if your wife has to drive also...(cheaper then a divorce)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (76greg)
Stick.
Just love the feeling when you slam those suckers into place.But when i`m old and my knees go bad,i`ll get a auto..
Remeber this,it aint a sportscar with an Auto
:jester :cheers: :cheers:
Just love the feeling when you slam those suckers into place.But when i`m old and my knees go bad,i`ll get a auto..
Remeber this,it aint a sportscar with an Auto
:jester :cheers: :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (Twin_Turbo)
I'm getting in this late, but I'll thow in my $.02:
The stick is faster in the 1/4 mi. I attribute this to it's extra gear and less drivetrain HP loss. I do admit that an auto is "easier" to drive fast.
To back my theory up, CHP had a auto vs. manual writeup and the manual was faster. The auto was a built up TH400 (I think) and the manual was a Jericho (sp?) 4 speed.
I can't get the search feature to work, but I had a post a while back with the details. I'll try to find it.
[Modified by BeaterShark, 4:12 PM 4/7/2003]
The stick is faster in the 1/4 mi. I attribute this to it's extra gear and less drivetrain HP loss. I do admit that an auto is "easier" to drive fast.
To back my theory up, CHP had a auto vs. manual writeup and the manual was faster. The auto was a built up TH400 (I think) and the manual was a Jericho (sp?) 4 speed.
I can't get the search feature to work, but I had a post a while back with the details. I'll try to find it.
[Modified by BeaterShark, 4:12 PM 4/7/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (BeaterShark)
OK, I found the Chevy High Performance article (4/01). They compare a Coan TH-350 to a Jerico 4-speed. The car is a '75 Camaro with a very healthy 327 and a 5.38 rear gear. Car and driver weigh in at 3450 lbs. Here are the results:
Tranny----------------60-ft---------ET----------Speed---------Cost
Baseline TH-400---1.803------12.254-------113.54
Coan TH-350-------1.688------11.940-------114.99---------$6,881.79
Jericho---------------1.623------11.703-------117.75---------$5,223.31
[Modified by BeaterShark, 4:18 PM 4/7/2003]
Tranny----------------60-ft---------ET----------Speed---------Cost
Baseline TH-400---1.803------12.254-------113.54
Coan TH-350-------1.688------11.940-------114.99---------$6,881.79
Jericho---------------1.623------11.703-------117.75---------$5,223.31
[Modified by BeaterShark, 4:18 PM 4/7/2003]
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (Gator81)
Auto (TH400)
I think an auto is more fun to drive. Mine is set up to shift when I tell it to ( unless it's in drive ) When I wanna play I shift it myself, when I wanna cruse around I let it do the work.
Clutches are fun. But they are always there. Mine goes both ways :D
BTW the best tranny for the dragstrip is often a 2 speed powerglide with a 5000rpm stall. NOT a streetable setup :U
I think an auto is more fun to drive. Mine is set up to shift when I tell it to ( unless it's in drive ) When I wanna play I shift it myself, when I wanna cruse around I let it do the work.
Clutches are fun. But they are always there. Mine goes both ways :D
BTW the best tranny for the dragstrip is often a 2 speed powerglide with a 5000rpm stall. NOT a streetable setup :U
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (Corey 68)
Dumping the clutch at 11,000rpms with no spin? :skep:
What kind of motor is he running? Provided he doesn't break anything on the launch and has enough power to spin how is he not spinning? It doesn't add up?
In all of my years I have NEVER heard of dumping the clutch at 11,000 rpms off the line. :nonod:
I mean no disrespect, honest, but I have to say :bs
And if you think the hundreds of thousands of racers across the world are running auto's because "They can't shift" is just wrong, sorry.
Once again I'm not trying to flame, just have to strongly disagree.
:cheers:
What kind of motor is he running? Provided he doesn't break anything on the launch and has enough power to spin how is he not spinning? It doesn't add up?
In all of my years I have NEVER heard of dumping the clutch at 11,000 rpms off the line. :nonod:
I mean no disrespect, honest, but I have to say :bs
And if you think the hundreds of thousands of racers across the world are running auto's because "They can't shift" is just wrong, sorry.
Once again I'm not trying to flame, just have to strongly disagree.
:cheers:
If you don't believe me, fine, but it's true.
Again, the reason they run automatics is for consistancy. A good manual set up is going to be faster, it's a fact. With inline shifters and everything I don't see how you can argue different.
[Modified by Schmucker, 6:19 PM 4/7/2003]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (427V8)
Hey guys I can't get over the responces. I guess I should have worded the question better Except I don't think I really Knew what I was asking, Some one at work asked me actually they didn't ask they just said your Vette's a stick right, and I said no an automatic, and they shook there head as if they were disgusted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (jaybird81)
Hey guys I can't get over the responces. I guess I should have worded the question better Except I don't think I really Knew what I was asking, Some one at work asked me actually they didn't ask they just said your Vette's a stick right, and I said no an automatic, and they shook there head as if they were disgusted.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (Schmucker)
This discussion arises every now and then and usually ends up with a shootout over whichis faster in the 1/4 mile. The automatics are good for our cars and most types of racing we are going to do with them ( bracket racing, just for fun, braggin rights etc.) Drag racers use them becuse you can't miss a shift and you will get consistne times and relativley inexpensive.
Amost all Pro classes ( Pro Stock ProMod etc,) in drag racing use manual transmissions like the Jerico, Liberty and G-Force, These transmissions are expensive and you don't need the clutch to shift. They are by far faster than any automatic out there. :D
Amost all Pro classes ( Pro Stock ProMod etc,) in drag racing use manual transmissions like the Jerico, Liberty and G-Force, These transmissions are expensive and you don't need the clutch to shift. They are by far faster than any automatic out there. :D
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: Automatic or a Stick? (MotorHead)
Amost all Pro classes ( Pro Stock ProMod etc,) in drag racing use manual transmissions like the Jerico, Liberty and G-Force, These transmissions are expensive and you don't need the clutch to shift. They are by far faster than any automatic out there. :D
[Modified by Corey 68, 7:33 PM 4/7/2003]