Auto vs 6 spd
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 498
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From: Rockville/Abington MD & PA
Auto vs 6 spd
Im thinking about getting a C5 A4. I like manuals but with the type of driving I do(city), I think I might like an auto better. My question is how is the gearing in the A4's with a 3:42 rear end? I like the 6 spd alot but, it seems like after 4th gear and about 145, the car just stops pulling as hard. Im guessing that 5th and 6th are less proportionally taller than 1-4. 1-4 is great but, after that its over. With an auto im worried that ill lose even more accelleration in this area. Is 4th gear in the A4 geared well for performance or gas mileage? What do A4's pull like past 140?
I talked to another member about his A4 and he was helpful but, I want to get a few more opinions, especially with the gearing and pull at 140+.
I talked to another member about his A4 and he was helpful but, I want to get a few more opinions, especially with the gearing and pull at 140+.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Are you planning on changing the rear axle out after buying the car? A4s came standard from the factory with a 2.73 rear axle. A 3.15 performance axle was available on on the A4 as an extra cost option. From the factory, the 3.42 was only available with the 6-speed trans.
However, several here with A4s have changed to a 3.42 rear axle afterwards and hopefully one of them will be along shortly to answer your questions on this. I too have the MN6 trans.
Good luck.
However, several here with A4s have changed to a 3.42 rear axle afterwards and hopefully one of them will be along shortly to answer your questions on this. I too have the MN6 trans.
Good luck.
Last edited by GrayC5; Jun 8, 2006 at 10:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by minus500
What do A4's pull like past 140?
I talked to another member about his A4 and he was helpful but, I want to get a few more opinions, especially with the gearing and pull at 140+.
I talked to another member about his A4 and he was helpful but, I want to get a few more opinions, especially with the gearing and pull at 140+.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 217
From: Arizona AZ
Originally Posted by minus500
Im thinking about getting a C5 A4. I like manuals but with the type of driving I do(city), , I want to get a few more opinions, especially with the gearing and pull at 140+.
Man................what city do you drive in that you need to know how hard it pulls at 140? You must have some great red light to red light dashes!
I had an A4 with 2:73 and one with the 3:15. The 3:15 was a helluva lot better (duh) I planned a 3:42 swap but realize you may have issues trying to get your tranny or torque convertor programmed for the new gears. See Mike Mercury forum member he did a great write up on it and he went from 3:15 to 3:42 and did not have to reprogram the tranny.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Rockville/Abington MD & PA
Originally Posted by VETLAGD
Cant help you on the gearing, but I bought and A4 and most of the time wish I had bought a MN6. Not saying I dont enjoy my car, but miss the manual tranny...
J
J
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 498
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From: Rockville/Abington MD & PA
Originally Posted by Target Chaser
You plan to spend a lot of time at this speed?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,076
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From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by minus500
LOL. No but I go out once and a while and do some highway runs with various cars. I really am turned on to the idea of an auto. I don't want to lose any highway speed. I should have made that more clear. Thanks.
I've got the A4 and I have to admit there are times I wish I had an M6. But those times are few and far between so I have to say I am very happy with the A4. No missed shifts here, stab and steer.
You won't lose any Highway speed.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
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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
I'd say for city driving you probably won't have much need to exceed 140 mph. 
I have a (mostly stock) daily driver C5 A4 with 3.15's. For daily use it is perfect. I can't answer your question on speeds > 140 though.
I also have a Rogue C5 A4 with 3.42's. In addition to upgraded gears I also modded with heads /cam, TC and a few other niceties. Properly modded you won't lose any highway speed.
A stock engine with 3.42's and you will lose some top end speed. You'll get more torque but will run out of rpm's sooner.
You can find some more info on gearing specs and the like at: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...2002specs.html
I have a (mostly stock) daily driver C5 A4 with 3.15's. For daily use it is perfect. I can't answer your question on speeds > 140 though.
I also have a Rogue C5 A4 with 3.42's. In addition to upgraded gears I also modded with heads /cam, TC and a few other niceties. Properly modded you won't lose any highway speed.
A stock engine with 3.42's and you will lose some top end speed. You'll get more torque but will run out of rpm's sooner.
You can find some more info on gearing specs and the like at: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...2002specs.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
I think that with a vette, there is no way to not want the alternative to the transmission you currently have. What I mean is that no matter what you decide, there will always be situations where you will be wishing you had the other. For instance, no matter where you drive, there will always be traffic and there will come a time when you are tired of pushing in and out of the clutch of a manual saying: "I wish I had an automatic!" Then there will be the times when cruising around at low speeds with the automatic when you get the thought: "I wish I had a manual to wind out the gears and have some fun."
I think the real decision is what type of driving will you do more of with the car? As you mentioned you are going to spend time in traffic, then it is a no brainer- get the automatic! But be warned, there will always come a time when you wished you got the other transmission, there is no escaping it!
Good luck and enjoy!
I think the real decision is what type of driving will you do more of with the car? As you mentioned you are going to spend time in traffic, then it is a no brainer- get the automatic! But be warned, there will always come a time when you wished you got the other transmission, there is no escaping it!
Good luck and enjoy!
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Get a manual. All slush boxes are slow
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
I had a 99 coupe with an automatic, and traded it for an 04 with a 6 speed. There are times i wish I had the automatic, but at other times I do enjoy the 6 speed. I just took a trip to Florida, 2,700 miles. and my total average gas mileage was 28.5 mpg. That included 500 around town, stop and go driving. That was actual mileage, not from the cars computer, which was higher.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
Get a manual. All slush boxes are slow
Okay, forget my responsible post, after looking at that monster- GO FOR THE MANUAL!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
I do totally agree with all the above post when people say in essence, each to his own. They make both tranny's because there are both type of people, the A-4's and the MN6's. There are obviously advantages and disadvantages to both tranny's. The best part is.....either one is in a VETTE. Drive and have fun!!!!!!!
I have a 03 MN6 and love it. I would be lying if I didn't say there are and were times I have said I wish I had a A-4. Ex. city stop and go traffic, all the parades our club is in (clutching gets real old in this situation), the stab and go theory, etc.
It seems that my milage is a tad higher with the MN6 over the A-4. I do love to shift. The car before this vette was a 97 Z-28 MN6 so I have been shifting for many years now.
I have a 03 MN6 and love it. I would be lying if I didn't say there are and were times I have said I wish I had a A-4. Ex. city stop and go traffic, all the parades our club is in (clutching gets real old in this situation), the stab and go theory, etc.
It seems that my milage is a tad higher with the MN6 over the A-4. I do love to shift. The car before this vette was a 97 Z-28 MN6 so I have been shifting for many years now.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,194
Likes: 27
From: Aurora IL
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
Get a manual. All slush boxes are slow
That type of thinking can cost you some cash!
Respect what you don't know.
Remember, it's a Corvette.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by 99magredcoupe
"A picture is worth a thousand words." Love the "slush box" reference-
Okay, forget my responsible post, after looking at that monster- GO FOR THE MANUAL!!!
Okay, forget my responsible post, after looking at that monster- GO FOR THE MANUAL!!!
It's a "slush box"
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
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From: Haymarket VA
Originally Posted by azmusclecar
Man................what city do you drive in that you need to know how hard it pulls at 140? You must have some great red light to red light dashes!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
The picture is my RPM (Rodney) full race A4.
It's a "slush box"
It's a "slush box"
You are still my MOD HERO!