Transmission
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
sports cars should be stick 
This system could probably help the consistency of a stick shift car. Nice traction control system with some nifty features. This feature is especially cool. http://www.racelogic.co.uk/traction/fts.htm
This system could probably help the consistency of a stick shift car. Nice traction control system with some nifty features. This feature is especially cool. http://www.racelogic.co.uk/traction/fts.htm
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane Queensland
mmm I had the same opinion, Ive always had manual cars, although I must say Im loving every minute of the auto vette, it feels just as sporty as a manual and I get to focus on the driving experience 
before I bought it doing the manual conversion was just a given, now ive been driving it, Im upgrading the box but staying auto 
My wheel and pedals are on your passenger side though, there is no room in the foot wells for a clutch pedal, so auto it is anyway
before I bought it doing the manual conversion was just a given, now ive been driving it, Im upgrading the box but staying auto My wheel and pedals are on your passenger side though, there is no room in the foot wells for a clutch pedal, so auto it is anyway
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
After "cruisin" for '75 for 38,000mi over the last 14yrs with an automatic, which was just "Ok", it ain't near as fun as shifting 'em manually. My '75 is now a 4spd car which I can't wait to cruise all next summer
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Having had auto vettes, I finally bought a manual. Since then I have converted it to a 5 speed. The OD tranny is a blast that just keeps getting better to drive. The only bad thing about the manual is if you do cruises to the mountains around here, you will get tired of the clutch after a while and wish for the auto.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
If you're building this car to 'drag' only occasionally, do some street-cruising/"Stop-Light Nationals" and like a stick, get one:
if you will be bracket-racing this car often, and will be 'serious' about winning (i.e.- consistency, parts-breakage, etc.), go with a 'built' THM400.
You'd be hard-pressed to find any track in America where somebody finished in the Top 10 in Points while "rowing-their-own".....
if you will be bracket-racing this car often, and will be 'serious' about winning (i.e.- consistency, parts-breakage, etc.), go with a 'built' THM400.
You'd be hard-pressed to find any track in America where somebody finished in the Top 10 in Points while "rowing-their-own".....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 2
From: Not Correctly Restored Stingray Fla.
I thought the same...The auto would NOT be as much fun to drive as a stick. HOW WRONG I WAS . My Vette was born with a M-20 trans and was LOTA fun to drive on the street but with 500+hp, I would come home broken from the track 98% of the time. Since then I have been having more fun then ever because I have put an automatic trans in the car. This is not any ordinary automatic. It has a full manual valve body so HAVE TO SHIFT IT, a 3800 stall converter which also adds some fun on the street and more importantly the car is a least a 1/2 faster at the track and has not broken in 2 years.
It's the best thing I have ever done to the car.
It's the best thing I have ever done to the car.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by LOTAHP
I thought the same...The auto would NOT be as much fun to drive as a stick. HOW WRONG I WAS . My Vette was born with a M-20 trans and was LOTA fun to drive on the street but with 500+hp, I would come home broken from the track 98% of the time. Since then I have been having more fun then ever because I have put an automatic trans in the car. This is not any ordinary automatic. It has a full manual valve body so HAVE TO SHIFT IT, a 3800 stall converter which also adds some fun on the street and more importantly the car is a least a 1/2 faster at the track and has not broken in 2 years.
It's the best thing I have ever done to the car.
It's the best thing I have ever done to the car.
Originally Posted by JewliaGoulia
..... but I don't want hmmmmm... "you guys" to be like "girls drive automatic".....
You beat "the boys" often enough, and they'll call you 'competitor', which is the ultimate compliment:
ask Tracy Lewis' daughter, Emily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Why are you so concerned with what this guy thinks? I know you don't even have it yet, but you really need to decide what it's going to be. If it's going to be an all out drag car (even if it is "driveable on the street") you should probably make it that from the start, otherwise you're going to waste a ton of money trying to convert it from a street car... which you will be putting money into to keep it on the road. Back on topic, it depends what kindof a drag car you want it to be. Assuming you want a completely raced out car to compete with, yes you should get a race prepped auto.
-Chris
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I think she need to find a car first. You got the cart before the horse. I'm getting a kick out of all your post.
The question I would ask "Is what kind of racing"?
Bracket racing = auto
Grudge = stick
Chances are that the vette you find/buy in your price range will be a L-48 auto. Your better off buying a roller and put a donor motor/tranny in it. Something like a LT1/4L60 out of a late model C-4. With minor mods you should be able run 12's and drive around with the air on.
The question I would ask "Is what kind of racing"?
Bracket racing = auto
Grudge = stick
Chances are that the vette you find/buy in your price range will be a L-48 auto. Your better off buying a roller and put a donor motor/tranny in it. Something like a LT1/4L60 out of a late model C-4. With minor mods you should be able run 12's and drive around with the air on.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
I got a 5 speed stick in my truck ,,,auto in the vette- all i know about the stick is i drive it to work 30 miles 1 way in rush hour traffic(1 to 11/2 each way!!) and after the weeks end my left foot IS KILLING ME FROM PUSHIN THAT STUPID CLUTCH IN AND OUT 5000000000 TIMES ) i agree with norm 110%- get a auto- a human being cant even shift gears as fast as a auto thats been beefed, but beef it
Last edited by carl a; Nov 29, 2004 at 02:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
If your going to drag race auto is the way to go. The drag racing auto's are kind of like manual's with no clutch. I even use that set up on my road race car because it is way faster than a manual.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,366
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas NV
Just get what you are more comfortable with. I prefer manual tranny's, but that's my preference. If you get an auto and they give you a hard time then ask them if they want to race...I bet they'll back down and change their tune
The only times I don't like my manual is during real heavy traffic in cruises...like the Woodward Dream cruise with 2 Million people on Woodward. A clutch is a HUGE PITA during this cruise.
The only times I don't like my manual is during real heavy traffic in cruises...like the Woodward Dream cruise with 2 Million people on Woodward. A clutch is a HUGE PITA during this cruise.