M6 vs A4 question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
basically - going back to the beginning, an auto will mathematically faster due to the gearing, but a manual will be quicker
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 40
From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
a4 easier on engine due to no over revving, with 3.42 gears it is a beast. never a missed shift and no expensive clutches and other parts to replace. the a4's are durable unless you are unleashing 500+ hp then you will have to upgrade some parts. I see most drivers lose drag races missing shifts.. bumping rev limiter etc... autos never make mistakes and usually win. fyi.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Depends on your goals---IF you want a DD weekend occasinal drag race car--my opinion is the A4 is best--BUT I would deff get a stall converter in the 3000 range---
IF you watch PINKS--you'll see 99% of the cars in the over 10 second range all use automatics !!! WHY--cause an auto is more consistant to for a driver that doesn't have 100's of laps under his belt-- and in bracket racing where everyone runs the same ET's--its consistancy that wins races--Not HP--Too many variables involved in driving a M6 to run consistantly the same everytime----Like launch RPM--Shift RPM
driver experience--- I don't care if you're Mario Andretti--you're not gonna drive that car better than that computer will in a car with an A4 !!! JMHO
IF you watch PINKS--you'll see 99% of the cars in the over 10 second range all use automatics !!! WHY--cause an auto is more consistant to for a driver that doesn't have 100's of laps under his belt-- and in bracket racing where everyone runs the same ET's--its consistancy that wins races--Not HP--Too many variables involved in driving a M6 to run consistantly the same everytime----Like launch RPM--Shift RPM
driver experience--- I don't care if you're Mario Andretti--you're not gonna drive that car better than that computer will in a car with an A4 !!! JMHO
Last edited by tblu92; Dec 25, 2010 at 01:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Right, but you're assuming the only track the car is taken to is a drag strip. I DD my car, but there are road race tracks around here. I've never taken my car to one, but I plan to at some point. Remember, these are Corvettes; not Camaros. I don't see anything wrong with DDing a 6 speed. Some people think back to the days of cable driven and heavy clutches and immediately think "AUTO!" But LSx clutches are hydro-assist and really easy to engage/disengage. I'll admit that I was once stuck in bumper to bumper for 3 full hours and I was hating my 6 speed at that moment, but it's too rare an occurrence for me to switch to an auto. The fun I have with a 6 speed cannot be had with an auto.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
haha... i DD my truck & it's a blast - even in traffic. shoot - the vette was easier to DD around town those few weeks because i shift less doing the 1-3-5 instead of the 1 through 5 i have to do in the truck 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
Not exactly correct...under normal circumstances then yes the Rev limiter kicks in but a 3-2 downshift or a 5-4 downshift could cause a mechanical over Rev. Then hopefully you can get the clutch pushed back in before something goes boom.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
i can tell ya - it's friggin scary!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I did an accidental 5-2... But the clutch never came up before I realized it and quickly put it in 4th... What's crazy is that it actually LET me put it in 2nd doing about 70MPH!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
How many different times and ways will the auto v. manual conversation take place?
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
How many different times and ways will the auto v. manual conversation take place?
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
I absolutely LOVE driving and being a part of the experience. Now that auto equipped cars are coming with paddle shifters, I think I still would get a manual tranny. That would be a tough decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
I wouldn't mind trying a car with nice paddle shifters (like maybe a Ferrari, I'm assuming). I've driven one of the new V6 Camaros with paddle shifters and wasn't impressed at all. It just wasn't responsive enough.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
The responsiveness would be my issue also. It was fun to drive and auto that had that feature, but I think that being able to control the clutch is part of the fun for me.
I don't even know, but do the C6's have paddle shifters? Hmmm, if so, maybe a test drive is in order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL