TheStef

Hi guys,

I own an 88 Convertible/L98 engine, automatic with a higher stall converter and a few other mods.
I'm putting my car up for sale next spring/summer and I'll probably end up buying a C5 in about 2 years... if I have enough patience to wait that long
I'm looking to buy a used C5 coupe LS1, coupe... but I seem to find more automatics then manuals for sale in my area. I'd really like to get a manual, but I'm looking for differences and opinions between the manual and automatic to help me make up my mind. I know the differences between the C4 automatic and manual but know nothing about the C5's.

99C5Vert

If everything is stock, the manual will outperform the auto. once you change rear end ratios, stall speeds, etc... all bets are off.

there are a couple of problems with 6 speeds that have popped up:
some have trouble with tranny jumping out of gear in 1st or reverse, or a tough time getting it in reverse
others have experienced a problem where the car can be shifted into reverse while moving forward. this should be prevented by a lock-out solenoid. in the C5, the reverse is next to 5th.

phear_this_mind

Why spend money on an auto when you're just going to have to turn around and spend more money on gears (EXPENSIVE!!!!!) and a stall?

Buy the 6 speed and drive it like a sports car.

Take the $2500.00 (it will cost a little more for install) you would have spent on the gears/stall/install and put heads/cam on the car.

Then you have a 450 Horsepower sports-car of death.

= )

TheStef

Is the rear end the same on both cars? and I don't mean gears, I mean the actualy carier?

On C4, manual have the Dana 44 and automatics the Dana 36 ?? what about the C5? and might as well ask, what gears comes stock with the automatic and the manual?

Buckmaster

No.....the A4 is stock with 2.73 gears (different carrier) and has an option of 3.15's. (I believe the 3.15's can be upgraded internally)

M6 is stock 3.42 and that carrier can be upgraded with 3.73, 3.90, etc gears................

gsxrjack

i have done the same as you, gone from a C4 auto....i bought a C5 6speed and i do love it.....hmmm, hard to put in words here, i had no problems with the C4 auto,(though some people do it seems) it was nice to just press the gas pedal and go.....but i am liking my 6 speed a lot.......would i be disapointed if my C5 was an auto.....NO, am i glad i got the 6 speed YES...

so now that i have totally confused you and anyone else reading this, i think im trying to say is that as much as i like my 6 speed i dont think it would have been a "step down" if my C5 was an auto....

i know this isnt helping but good luck

ANTIVINUM

I also traded a C4 auto for a C5 6 speed. It all depends on what you plan to do with the car. If you drive it a lot and you are in traffic a lot, the auto is the way to go. If you just enjoy driving a sports car for what it is and enjoy those quick burst of acceleration and going throw the gears than the answer is easy. Two things that are a must for any 6-speed owner. An after market shifter (stock ones do not have stops) and the damn CAGS. Either way I think you will enjoy your new car. I went from a convertible to a coupe and I wish I still had a convertible. That is some thing you might want to consider.

jeff1surfs

Two things that are a must for any 6-speed owner. An after market shifter (stock ones do not have stops) and the damn CAGS.

New 99 mn6 hardtop owner, when you say "stock ones do not have stops" what are you referring to?
and how will it improve my car?
I' have not had any problems with my 6-speed.
What are CAGS?

I am getting annoyed with the 1to 4shift though.

Love this car

ANTIVINUM

CAGS is a bypass for the 1 to 4 ****. it is about 25 dollars or so and you can find it at any vendor on the web. The stock shifters do not have stops. Stops stop the shifter from over traveling. By that I mean when you shift the linkage places the trans in the next gear. But the stock shifter does not have a stopping point (Over traveling tears up a trans). After market shifter have adjustable stops. The Hurst (like mine) even has adjustable return springs.

fdxpilot

Yes, they both have the same Gertrag differential. The only hitch is 2 series gears (2.73) generally can't be upgraded to 3 or 4 series gears, although DTE has a process to do it. Those that upgrade from 2.73s generally swap diffs. The Z06 does have shot-peened gears.

IMQUIK

Love my A4!!

screw991le

Love my A4 also and don't see many differences at the track as far as time either. But I also have the factory 3.15s

Richin Chicago

If you ever decide that you would like to get into high performance driving on a roadcourse an A4 would be a mistake. They overheat and are tough to control which gear you are in. Too me one of the things that are so attaractive about a sportscar is that it give they give the driver more control and better feedback, an A4 takes away from that.

Richin Chicago

I am, almost, positive that the T56 transmission has internal stops.

barkingowl

MacA1979

I always love these threads!!

I love my automatic transmission.....that I have in my '04 Silverado! Oh yea, the wife's minivan has one as well!!

My Corvettes have always been manual and will ALWAYS be that way!

[flamesuit ON]

Richin Chicago

We had a guy in the club that listed the Corvettes going on a road trip together. He listed the 6 speeds as Corvettes and the A4s as Corpettes!

Vetteman Jack

You mentioned that you want the 6-speed so that should be your main focus. Between now and when you are ready to purchase the car, go out and test drive examples of each. Give them some thorough examinations, like city driving, highway time, etc and see how comfortable you are with each type of transmission. Both are very good, so it is really just a personal preference. The 6-speed will have better gearing and get better mileage all things considered.

RJ98Vette

Best suggestion I have heard. I have an A4 as a daily driver and hit a lot of stop and go traffic. I have been seriously considering renting a MN6 just to see what the differences would be. I think the differences in transmissions would be similar to differences in exhausts. What you like will depend in a large measure on your personal preferences.

FrankTank

Yeap , a test drive or even renting a 6spd and then automatic would be a great idea,, if you have this much time before you buy. I love my 6speed,, obviously it sucks in stop and go traffic but everything else is great.
I guess it all depends on how you are going to use your car,,Automatics are okay too,,nothing wrong with them,,easier to launch off the line if you racing.

For me I like being able to have the options though of changing gears, also you don't have to re-program the shift points if you change rear-ends with a manual..with an auto you'll have to re-program.

All MN6's come stock with a 342 gear.
good luck