Automatic VS Manual
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Brighton IL
[QUOTE=rocco16;1559572970]Anyone who claims they haven't felt this way at one time or another, is lying. 
No lie, I have never wanted the auto in my ZR1. There is nothing like going from 6th to 3rd at about 70 mph and running it up to 7 grand before hitting 4th at about 115 mph. Really gets the blood pumping!!
No lie, I have never wanted the auto in my ZR1. There is nothing like going from 6th to 3rd at about 70 mph and running it up to 7 grand before hitting 4th at about 115 mph. Really gets the blood pumping!!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Finland , 1995 LT-4 P-1SC
Ok boys need some opinions here....
Wich should I choose???Automatic or manual??
I am asking because i've never driven an automatic vette.... I've driven others automatic cars (just few because I am in europe and here we mostly use manuals) but none of thoose had a v8 in it....
Some say manual is better because you get better gas mileage and performance (specally if you plan modding the engine) but is off course less confortable, others say that with an auto you can have the pleasure of crusing as well good performance wich is not so far from a manual....
Assuming that i like some sport driving sometime but nothig special (make some wheelspin at the traffic lights when setting off) and I don't plan going to the track ever, but usually I am just going to cruise around "normally" ... Wich one is the best for me???
P.S. some say that cars with an auto trans get more torque to the wheels is that true??
Thanks guys!
Wich should I choose???Automatic or manual??
I am asking because i've never driven an automatic vette.... I've driven others automatic cars (just few because I am in europe and here we mostly use manuals) but none of thoose had a v8 in it....
Some say manual is better because you get better gas mileage and performance (specally if you plan modding the engine) but is off course less confortable, others say that with an auto you can have the pleasure of crusing as well good performance wich is not so far from a manual....
Assuming that i like some sport driving sometime but nothig special (make some wheelspin at the traffic lights when setting off) and I don't plan going to the track ever, but usually I am just going to cruise around "normally" ... Wich one is the best for me???
P.S. some say that cars with an auto trans get more torque to the wheels is that true??
Thanks guys!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Finland , 1995 LT-4 P-1SC
[QUOTE=ZR!;1559573865]
You can't say better !
Anyone who claims they haven't felt this way at one time or another, is lying.
No lie, I have never wanted the auto in my ZR1. There is nothing like going from 6th to 3rd at about 70 mph and running it up to 7 grand before hitting 4th at about 115 mph. Really gets the blood pumping!!
No lie, I have never wanted the auto in my ZR1. There is nothing like going from 6th to 3rd at about 70 mph and running it up to 7 grand before hitting 4th at about 115 mph. Really gets the blood pumping!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
No matter which way you go there will be times that you wish you had the other option.
The first time you get stuck in traffic you will wish you had that damn Automatic. Then as soon as you leave the city and hit an open stretch of road you will be pissed that you can't shift it yourself. This is a win-win situation, it's a 'vette, no matter which way you go you will love it.
You just have to decide which thought you're going to have more often - I wish I had a manual or I wish I had an auto.
The first time you get stuck in traffic you will wish you had that damn Automatic. Then as soon as you leave the city and hit an open stretch of road you will be pissed that you can't shift it yourself. This is a win-win situation, it's a 'vette, no matter which way you go you will love it.
You just have to decide which thought you're going to have more often - I wish I had a manual or I wish I had an auto.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
Putting an higher stall converter what does exactly change in the cars' behavior?? (I know It will accelerate faster but why??) 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Twinsburg OH
Rev up your manual car and drop the clutch, that’s what a high stall does for an auto and why you want to be careful about going too high for a daily driver. The cop pulls up next to you at the light and you cannot get it rolling without spinning the tires. I wander how much the ticket would be for trying to race a cop?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
Rev up your manual car and drop the clutch, that’s what a high stall does for an auto and why you want to be careful about going too high for a daily driver. The cop pulls up next to you at the light and you cannot get it rolling without spinning the tires. I wander how much the ticket would be for trying to race a cop?
So basically if I put in Drive the trans, leave the brakes and slowly start to accelerate the car will not move until it reaches the stall speed and only then start to take off all of a sudden?? (that would mean the car will be "useless" in the rev range under the stall speed
)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
So basically if I put in Drive the trans, leave the brakes and slowly start to accelerate the car will not move until it reaches the stall speed and only then start to take off all of a sudden?? (that would mean the car will be "useless" in the rev range under the stall speed )
)NO NO NO, and anybody trying to say that is full of BS. With a automatic, stock, 1400rpm stall converter , you put it in drive and it will start to move at idle. If you floor it, from a standstill, and had a way to monitor rpm vs mph, you would see the rpms go close to 1400 (Flash) before the wheels started turning.
With a 3000 stall converter, put it in drive, and at idle it will start moving. Again floor it and it will flash to 3000 rpms. This allows for a quicker launch when wanted.
When going mid throttle or so, it will stall up some, but not to the full 3000 rpm stall. Again, your 1400 stock converter will do the same as long as you are below the stall rpm.
Again, anyone making such a statement as this: QUOTE (The cop pulls up next to you at the light and you cannot get it rolling without spinning the tires. I wander how much the ticket would be for trying to race a cop?)
Either they have no clue how a stall converter works, or they are just plain trying to mislead you.
There's not really enough room with just 2.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 45,861
Likes: 94
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
And if I want to flame you, I will drive to PA and re-install your old (custom) chip. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: cambridge UK Cambs
So basically if I put in Drive the trans, leave the brakes and slowly start to accelerate the car will not move until it reaches the stall speed and only then start to take off all of a sudden?? (that would mean the car will be "useless" in the rev range under the stall speed )
)Hi
I am in the UK and have had an 86 auto ragtop for about 4 years now. You will find that any vette will take off from the line pretty well but one thing I would advise is if you want a stick try a few before to buy it. I am going to get flamed for this, but I have driven sticks for 30 years and almost all US sticks shifts are very agricultural and heavy compared to something like an Alfa or lotus etc ( I understand that the new C6 is pretty good).
Its not there engineering particularly its just they have to transmit so much torque. For most occasions an auto is easier and seem to be more reliable to use in Europe.
Barry
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
I know my automatic serves me well. Kids in my area would say their 6-speed 200 hp Civics are faster than my Vette because they are manual. In the track, they do nothing but show off that dry hop and that uber cool 2.3 60' and run mid 15s @ about 90 mph.
Man, I've even beaten 6 speed LS1 F-bodies. My guess is that they do not know how drive. When they do, they could actually stand a chance against my automatic Vette.
I also noticed that the automatic Civic is much slower than the manual counterpart. There is about a 2 second difference in the 1/4th mile.
For some reason, it is the opposite with V8 powered cars.
My friend's 06 Mustang GT automatic is faster than his buddy's 06 manual counterpart. And they are both bone stock......
Man, I've even beaten 6 speed LS1 F-bodies. My guess is that they do not know how drive. When they do, they could actually stand a chance against my automatic Vette.
I also noticed that the automatic Civic is much slower than the manual counterpart. There is about a 2 second difference in the 1/4th mile.
For some reason, it is the opposite with V8 powered cars.
My friend's 06 Mustang GT automatic is faster than his buddy's 06 manual counterpart. And they are both bone stock......
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
I know my automatic serves me well. Kids in my area would say their 6-speed 200 hp Civics are faster than my Vette because they are manual. In the track, they do nothing but show off that dry hop and that uber cool 2.3 60' and run mid 15s @ about 90 mph.
Man, I've even beaten 6 speed LS1 F-bodies. My guess is that they do not know how drive. When they do, they could actually stand a chance against my automatic Vette.
I also noticed that the automatic Civic is much slower than the manual counterpart. There is about a 2 second difference in the 1/4th mile.
For some reason, it is the opposite with V8 powered cars.
My friend's 06 Mustang GT automatic is faster than his buddy's 06 manual counterpart. And they are both bone stock......
Man, I've even beaten 6 speed LS1 F-bodies. My guess is that they do not know how drive. When they do, they could actually stand a chance against my automatic Vette.
I also noticed that the automatic Civic is much slower than the manual counterpart. There is about a 2 second difference in the 1/4th mile.
For some reason, it is the opposite with V8 powered cars.
My friend's 06 Mustang GT automatic is faster than his buddy's 06 manual counterpart. And they are both bone stock......
Is yours auto transmission stock or you have modded something (like valve body converter etc)
your vette is a stock ls1?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 1
From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
Driving a auto vette is like kissing your sister in the dark. It feels good untill the lights go on, then you know it's just wrong
With that being typed, I have an auto, and love it--- but when I can buy a stick vette or install a 5spd. or a 4spd. I will in a New York min.
With that being typed, I have an auto, and love it--- but when I can buy a stick vette or install a 5spd. or a 4spd. I will in a New York min.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,835
Likes: 1,328
From: Middletown, DE
Hey mosquiton_001 --
It is apparent from all the conflicting info you will need to buy one of each.
You will then have no regrets, ever, and when one breaks down you still have the other to cruise around in.
Seriously, I have a stick, and love it. I have driven only sticks for many years, and had never driven a Vette until a couple years ago, at least in part because I did not want an automatic and I had believed Vette manuals were brutal. But, it was easy to use; far less "agricultural" than I expected.
Everything I've read and heard suggests there is no noticeable performance difference because the V-8 torque matches so well with the automatic. So for your purposes I am sure the auto will do well. If you don't like it, I bet you can sell it and find a nice stick, even in Italy!
Have fun with your search and good luck!
It is apparent from all the conflicting info you will need to buy one of each.
You will then have no regrets, ever, and when one breaks down you still have the other to cruise around in.
Seriously, I have a stick, and love it. I have driven only sticks for many years, and had never driven a Vette until a couple years ago, at least in part because I did not want an automatic and I had believed Vette manuals were brutal. But, it was easy to use; far less "agricultural" than I expected.
Everything I've read and heard suggests there is no noticeable performance difference because the V-8 torque matches so well with the automatic. So for your purposes I am sure the auto will do well. If you don't like it, I bet you can sell it and find a nice stick, even in Italy!
Have fun with your search and good luck!