a manual would be more fun for a weekend toy.. but for a drag car stand point, it would be a lot easier to do an automatic.

remember.. it's damn near impossible to outshift an auto.

 

 

That was quick. You didn't even allow time for the nay-saying
4-speed group to pummel the idea of an auto.

Even for street driving, a TH400 - properly built and with a
decent shift kit can be WAY fun to drive. Plus, you don't HAVE
to let the tranny do the shifting. That lever in the console lets
you decide when to shift.

Quick story: I burned out my TH400 - decided it was time to
rebuild my first transmission. I used B+M trans kit (rebuild with
shift kit included). I chose the mid-level street/strip shift
settings. Now, understand that my vette was a 75 L48, one
on the most pathetic production line Corvettes built. It only
has dual exhaust and Edelbrock intake/carb for performance.
The first day driving it on the highway, I was starting to pass
an 18 wheeler. He was in the right lane, and started to signal
for a switch into my lane - just as I approached. I thought
"no way". I was going about 60 in drive. I floored it, the tranny
downshifted to 2nd gear, and the rear tires let out a load chirp
before shooting ahead of the truck. I actually said "wow" - out
loud to myself. I continued to "test" it through the day.

The downfall is the parasitic loss of power in the tranny itself.
You will get less rear-wheel HP with an auto. But, you are right -
it is the right choice for drag racing.

 

I prefer stick shift.. but I'd go with automatic if you are really serious about drag racing!!

 

Stick = more fun street driving

Auto= more consistant for racing

 

How do you plan on beefing up the rear end to make it drag worthy?

Bry