Automatic vs. 6-speed
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (Travisimo)
On average, I'd say between 4/10ths and half a second in the quarter mile. Pretty significant in my opinion. The auto's have more drivertrain loss and the 6 speeds have better gearing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Abilene Tx
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (Nat02Z06)
Yeah, that is pretty impressive. I'm partial to the 6-speed, but with a good stall, I like the consistancy of the auto. Some 3:42 gears sure would help an automatic out I suppose.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (Travisimo)
It really depends on what kind of driving you like. If you want to take off fast from the light an automatic is the way to go. If you like to go fast from a roll a six speed is the way to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (ixlr8)
Kind of nice just slapping it in Drive and going. I never could shift well, so I opted for the A4, knowing that GM has a great auto tranny. If you select the right gears and TC on an A4, being competitive (not just staying up) with six speeds is easy. Yes, if you like road courses, then the six speed will shine with its ability to select the right shift when the course demands it. It just boils down to what you feel comfortable with and what you like.
Never having to miss a shift is what made me go auto.
Never having to miss a shift is what made me go auto.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 0
From: houston texas
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (Travisimo)
i have a auto with 3.42's and 3500 stall and kill 6sp's off the line , and most never catch me. including z's. 1.70's 60fts. low 12's 1/4 mile. :yesnod:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (Travisimo)
You will see that guys that run the low ET's in A4's (the vast majority of them) will also have a big stall converter. If you are looking at an A4, this is the absolute first mod you should do, like having a shot of nitrous. I agree with Mitch above, out of the hole, the right setup A4 will show your tail lights to a six speed in the other lane most of the time. After that, the one that has the HP takes over, but if your start is good enough, they have to catch up! And nothing is more depressing than trying to catch up! :D
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (Travisimo)
According to the 1997 through 2000 Corvette Sales Brochure and a Corvette Quarterly article, 0 to 60 MPH times for 6-speed and A4 C5's are as follows: 4.72 seconds for a 6-speed, 4.75 seconds for an A4 with a 3.15 gear and 5.05 seconds for an A4 with a 2.73 gear. 2001 and newer C5's with both 6-speeds and A4's are about 1/10 of a second quicker.
The 1997 through 2000 Corvette Sales Brochure indictes a quarter mile time of 13.36@ 109.4 MPH for a 6-apeed, but no similar data for an A4. The time for the 6-speed was achieved by power-shifting.
From what I've seen at the track, an A4 with a 3.15 gear runs about 2/10's and 4 MPH slower in the quarter mile than a power-shifted 6-speed and runs about the same ET wise but 2 MPH slower than a granny-shifted 6-speed.
In good air (high barometer / low humidity / cool air) my stock 98 C5 convertible with an A4 and a 3.15 gear has run the quarter mile in 13.23 @ 105.6 MPH.
The 1997 through 2000 Corvette Sales Brochure indictes a quarter mile time of 13.36@ 109.4 MPH for a 6-apeed, but no similar data for an A4. The time for the 6-speed was achieved by power-shifting.
From what I've seen at the track, an A4 with a 3.15 gear runs about 2/10's and 4 MPH slower in the quarter mile than a power-shifted 6-speed and runs about the same ET wise but 2 MPH slower than a granny-shifted 6-speed.
In good air (high barometer / low humidity / cool air) my stock 98 C5 convertible with an A4 and a 3.15 gear has run the quarter mile in 13.23 @ 105.6 MPH.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 296
From: Savannah GA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (RWhite)
You will see that guys that run the low ET's in A4's (the vast majority of them) will also have a big stall converter. If you are looking at an A4, this is the absolute first mod you should do, like having a shot of nitrous. I agree with Mitch above, out of the hole, the right setup A4 will show your tail lights to a six speed in the other lane most of the time. After that, the one that has the HP takes over, but if your start is good enough, they have to catch up! And nothing is more depressing than trying to catch up! :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Automatic vs. 6-speed (C5-VERT)
>I agree that with stock tires an auto will most likely win out of the hole but a CCW drag package w/ E/T streets will change that real quick.
Fortunately, I do not see many setups like that! :D DR's usually the norm, occasionally a set of slicks.
Fortunately, I do not see many setups like that! :D DR's usually the norm, occasionally a set of slicks.
