A4 vs. M6 speed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 184
From: Ohio
A4 vs. M6 speed
Some idiot asked why you would pick a A4 over an M6...simple because the A4 is faster...right 
Has anyone come up with a paddle shifter kit for the C5 yet?
The Big Dog
Has anyone come up with a paddle shifter kit for the C5 yet?
The Big Dog
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 11
From: Killarny MB
Going by facts, the manual is more efficient than the automatic meaning you put more hp to the ground. Manuals also have deeper gears in the rear end making them faster
I picked a manual over an automatic as that is what I prefer. Some people don't want a manual. That is fine. Automatics are by far more consistent at the track.
I've heard of people developing paddle shifters. As the saying goes, do a search, you'll find threads. Then again, hopefully someone can just post a link for you here.
I picked a manual over an automatic as that is what I prefer. Some people don't want a manual. That is fine. Automatics are by far more consistent at the track.
I've heard of people developing paddle shifters. As the saying goes, do a search, you'll find threads. Then again, hopefully someone can just post a link for you here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I have 6 speed only because I enjoy driving a Corvette and shifting. Also it was not a daily driver while I was still working, and now that I am retired I drive it when I feel like it. As already stated the manual gear box is more efficient and actually faster. If I had to do it over and it was going to be a daily driver or I was planning on doing a lot of drag racing, than I would go with the auto. If you are going to track it on a road course, I would think the manual would be the way to go.
As for paddle shifters, I remember a few months back theren was a post here on a company that was doing a sequential shifter and I also believe they were talking paddle also. the cost was well above what I would want to spend.
As for paddle shifters, I remember a few months back theren was a post here on a company that was doing a sequential shifter and I also believe they were talking paddle also. the cost was well above what I would want to spend.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Well next time you go to the drag strip look and see how many cars are auto verses a manual gear box. Yes the Pro Stock launch with a clutch, but that is the last time they touch it. Automatics are so much more consistent than a manual at the drag
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
If you run a REAL Track event on a Road Course , look and see how many auto verses a manual gear box. Manuals are so much more consistent than automatic on a Road Course. Corvettes strong suit is Road Racing not drag racing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I mentioned that in my first reply to the OP. Drags = Automatic, Road Course = Manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
Maybe not when completely stock, because you can adjust the launch speed a little better, and they come with a better rear gear from the factory; but after a TC and gears.........Ohhhh yes it is 
A manual is probably the best for a road course, but a modded auto is a GREAT drag race set up
1 The torque converter multiplies the output torque output far above a manual, which is simply whatever amount the engine produces.
2. The shift are lighting fast
3. It NEVER misses a shift
4. Once dialed in, It shifts at the perfect RPM EVERY time.
And guys drag race 6 speeds (and autos) because "That's what they have"
The same reason guys go bow hunting instead of hunting with a rifle; They see it as more "exciting" and more of a challenge
Not taking anything away from the enjoyment of rowing gears for guys that want that, but my DD is a 5 speed, and one, I get all the "gear rowing" I want, and two; when I drive my Vette, my wife is usually with me,and I just simply have better things to do with my "free" hand
A manual is probably the best for a road course, but a modded auto is a GREAT drag race set up
1 The torque converter multiplies the output torque output far above a manual, which is simply whatever amount the engine produces.
2. The shift are lighting fast
3. It NEVER misses a shift
4. Once dialed in, It shifts at the perfect RPM EVERY time.
And guys drag race 6 speeds (and autos) because "That's what they have"
The same reason guys go bow hunting instead of hunting with a rifle; They see it as more "exciting" and more of a challenge
Not taking anything away from the enjoyment of rowing gears for guys that want that, but my DD is a 5 speed, and one, I get all the "gear rowing" I want, and two; when I drive my Vette, my wife is usually with me,and I just simply have better things to do with my "free" hand
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Undoubtedly an auto tranny car with a nice stall converter will outperform a similarly equipped manually tranny car at the drags. That's a no-brainer. But my 16 yr-old daughter could do just as well as anybody in that car and takes a more skilled driver to pull off a solid run with a standard tranny. But that's all really beside the point for me.
This is what swayed me away from autos in sports cars.
It was a warm summer night and while fillin the tank at a gas station on a desolate dark road heard the glorious sound of a potent (insert any car name here) coming up the road from the stop light. 1st gear, 2nd gear (as it roars by), 3rd gear, 4th gear....you know the rest of the story. What was so impressive about this was that engine sound reacting off the sudden pause in between gear shifts. A sound that an automatic tranny is simply unable to produce no matter what. This is the sound of an authentic driver's sports car and was enough for me - will never own an auto-tranny sports car again. So the autos can take 1/4mile trophy most days but the benefits of driving the manual go on and on from there for most driving enthusiasts.
This is what swayed me away from autos in sports cars.
It was a warm summer night and while fillin the tank at a gas station on a desolate dark road heard the glorious sound of a potent (insert any car name here) coming up the road from the stop light. 1st gear, 2nd gear (as it roars by), 3rd gear, 4th gear....you know the rest of the story. What was so impressive about this was that engine sound reacting off the sudden pause in between gear shifts. A sound that an automatic tranny is simply unable to produce no matter what. This is the sound of an authentic driver's sports car and was enough for me - will never own an auto-tranny sports car again. So the autos can take 1/4mile trophy most days but the benefits of driving the manual go on and on from there for most driving enthusiasts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Something that is lost on so many people, I get tired of pointing it out personally
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Murrysville PA
http://mastershift.com/newvideogallery.html
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Maybe not when completely stock, because you can adjust the launch speed a little better, and they come with a better rear gear from the factory; but after a TC and gears.........Ohhhh yes it is
A manual is probably the best for a road course, but a modded auto is a GREAT drag race set up
1 The torque converter multiplies the output torque output far above a manual, which is simply whatever amount the engine produces.
2. The shift are lighting fast
3. It NEVER misses a shift
4. Once dialed in, It shifts at the perfect RPM EVERY time.
And guys drag race 6 speeds (and autos) because "That's what they have"
The same reason guys go bow hunting instead of hunting with a rifle; They see it as more "exciting" and more of a challenge
Not taking anything away from the enjoyment of rowing gears for guys that want that, but my DD is a 5 speed, and one, I get all the "gear rowing" I want, and two; when I drive my Vette, my wife is usually with me,and I just simply have better things to do with my "free" hand
A manual is probably the best for a road course, but a modded auto is a GREAT drag race set up
1 The torque converter multiplies the output torque output far above a manual, which is simply whatever amount the engine produces.
2. The shift are lighting fast
3. It NEVER misses a shift
4. Once dialed in, It shifts at the perfect RPM EVERY time.
And guys drag race 6 speeds (and autos) because "That's what they have"
The same reason guys go bow hunting instead of hunting with a rifle; They see it as more "exciting" and more of a challenge
Not taking anything away from the enjoyment of rowing gears for guys that want that, but my DD is a 5 speed, and one, I get all the "gear rowing" I want, and two; when I drive my Vette, my wife is usually with me,and I just simply have better things to do with my "free" hand
Undoubtedly an auto tranny car with a nice stall converter will outperform a similarly equipped manually tranny car at the drags. That's a no-brainer. But my 16 yr-old daughter could do just as well as anybody in that car and takes a more skilled driver to pull off a solid run with a standard tranny. But that's all really beside the point for me.
This is what swayed me away from autos in sports cars.
It was a warm summer night and while fillin the tank at a gas station on a desolate dark road heard the glorious sound of a potent (insert any car name here) coming up the road from the stop light. 1st gear, 2nd gear (as it roars by), 3rd gear, 4th gear....you know the rest of the story. What was so impressive about this was that engine sound reacting off the sudden pause in between gear shifts. A sound that an automatic tranny is simply unable to produce no matter what. This is the sound of an authentic driver's sports car and was enough for me - will never own an auto-tranny sports car again. So the autos can take 1/4mile trophy most days but the benefits of driving the manual go on and on from there for most driving enthusiasts.
This is what swayed me away from autos in sports cars.
It was a warm summer night and while fillin the tank at a gas station on a desolate dark road heard the glorious sound of a potent (insert any car name here) coming up the road from the stop light. 1st gear, 2nd gear (as it roars by), 3rd gear, 4th gear....you know the rest of the story. What was so impressive about this was that engine sound reacting off the sudden pause in between gear shifts. A sound that an automatic tranny is simply unable to produce no matter what. This is the sound of an authentic driver's sports car and was enough for me - will never own an auto-tranny sports car again. So the autos can take 1/4mile trophy most days but the benefits of driving the manual go on and on from there for most driving enthusiasts.
Getting outta the gas three times on the 1/4 to shift, all things being equal,,,you are gonna get beat by an auto! Road course,,, the auto is toast! Compromise,,NO,,I'll keep my MN6!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 6
From: Prince George VA
I prefer a manual. Simply because there is no skill involved when driving an automatic. Plus I like to be in control of when I change gears. My first car was an auto. Which is why I went to manuals.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,107
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I've had both types of trannys in my C5s - two MN6s and now an auto. The manuals were fun, but I just wanted a change. The auto still has good performance and I don't have to worry about missing shifts. I do miss the gas mileage though - I was getting at least 3 mpg more in the manual tranny cars than I do with the auto.