Auto vs manual ZO6
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 54
From: Addison TX
1/4 and 1/8 mile the A8 is faster but, on the track, road course, the M7 generates less heat in the cooling system so it will run longer before LIMP mode. 17's and 18's can often times go full sessions without the need for cool down laps. Depends a lot on temp and the driver!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Depends on the primary use. If you are driving in a lot of traffic then A8.
If you are driving on a road course then M7 as the A8 in automatic mode tends to operate the engine in the upper rpm ranges more than a driver using a manual trans. This causes the engine to run hotter and either overheat the oil or the coolant. To keep engine temps down a driver with an A8 has to run in manual mode and avoid the lower gear ratios. Basically, mimicking the gear selections of a driver with an M7. Many M7 drivers use 3rd, 4th and 5th gears only. With most time spent in 3rd and 4th. Very few tracks require the use of the lower gears.
Bill
If you are driving on a road course then M7 as the A8 in automatic mode tends to operate the engine in the upper rpm ranges more than a driver using a manual trans. This causes the engine to run hotter and either overheat the oil or the coolant. To keep engine temps down a driver with an A8 has to run in manual mode and avoid the lower gear ratios. Basically, mimicking the gear selections of a driver with an M7. Many M7 drivers use 3rd, 4th and 5th gears only. With most time spent in 3rd and 4th. Very few tracks require the use of the lower gears.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
I own and drive both the A8 and M7 Z06's. The A8 is fantastic with the over all 10.99 low gear vs 7.83 for the M7 make the 1/4 mile no contest.
With the 10.99 the A8 can 60ft a lot quicker than the handicapped M7.
Great 60 ft is key in the 1/4 mile
On the roll the race should be very close and should tilted a little to the M7. BUT with this is mind The M7 is very driver dependent. Poor driver poor result.
With the 10.99 the A8 can 60ft a lot quicker than the handicapped M7.
Great 60 ft is key in the 1/4 mile
On the roll the race should be very close and should tilted a little to the M7. BUT with this is mind The M7 is very driver dependent. Poor driver poor result.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 4,150
From: Bergen county NJ
I dig DCT s in porsches but didn't dig driving the A8 in corvettes as much.
The crispness and the direct drive is lost through the torque converter no matter how fast they can shift..
A8 is quicker...but the direct driveline linkage of a manual or DCT is somewhat blurred in the torque converter...in my opinion..
If I were buying a z06...my personal purchase would be a m7..
Both are great...the car is insane...but that feel of direct driveline power is slightly missing
For me it's not the rowing gears, or the clutch pedal...or heel and toeing .....but rather ...it's the direct feeling of power connection between the engine and the rear wheels and the throttle pedal that prompts me to be swayed towards a DCT or a manual transmission..
I wanted to get the quicker more consistent A8 for my next corvette z06 but I've given this a lot of thought and test driven the A8 quite a few times...and this is what I've decided is the reason I keep leaning towards the manual transmission version.
I hope this lends insight and it's not a macho man thing...just that I prefer the more direct response aspect of either DCT s or manuals over automatic torque converter transmissions..
Your opinion may vary..
Test drive both and decide for yourself
The crispness and the direct drive is lost through the torque converter no matter how fast they can shift..
A8 is quicker...but the direct driveline linkage of a manual or DCT is somewhat blurred in the torque converter...in my opinion..
If I were buying a z06...my personal purchase would be a m7..
Both are great...the car is insane...but that feel of direct driveline power is slightly missing
For me it's not the rowing gears, or the clutch pedal...or heel and toeing .....but rather ...it's the direct feeling of power connection between the engine and the rear wheels and the throttle pedal that prompts me to be swayed towards a DCT or a manual transmission..
I wanted to get the quicker more consistent A8 for my next corvette z06 but I've given this a lot of thought and test driven the A8 quite a few times...and this is what I've decided is the reason I keep leaning towards the manual transmission version.
I hope this lends insight and it's not a macho man thing...just that I prefer the more direct response aspect of either DCT s or manuals over automatic torque converter transmissions..
Your opinion may vary..
Test drive both and decide for yourself
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
I have an A8 and stick-en to it!
However I bracket raced a stick shift for years in the bracket wars and when I switched to a built auto & high stall converter (the only change) I slowed down in the 1/4 mile. 
You see with a stick unlike an auto/converter you are not limited to a certain launch rpm (EX: approx. 2500 Z06 A8) so I could raise the rpm's and put down as good or better 60' with the stick (I never side stepped or slipped the clutch/hurt anything) and over the 1/4 mile actually picked up approx. 2 tenths.
If you check the Z06 fast list close you will find "one" M7 driver doing just about what the A8 drivers are doing; he knows what he is doing!
You see with a stick unlike an auto/converter you are not limited to a certain launch rpm (EX: approx. 2500 Z06 A8) so I could raise the rpm's and put down as good or better 60' with the stick (I never side stepped or slipped the clutch/hurt anything) and over the 1/4 mile actually picked up approx. 2 tenths.
If you check the Z06 fast list close you will find "one" M7 driver doing just about what the A8 drivers are doing; he knows what he is doing!
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Oct 7, 2017 at 04:15 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 692
Likes: 61
From: Little Rock AR
At Spring Mountain we had both A8's and M7's in track cars. I was able to out accelerate and our corner (when a down shift was needed) the manuals every time. We used the A8 in the manual mode exclusively. No heat problems, but our track sessions were only about 20 minutes at a time.
My vote is for the A8. Drink coffee or a coke in traffic in automatic and use the manual mode on the track.
My vote is for the A8. Drink coffee or a coke in traffic in automatic and use the manual mode on the track.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
I'm surprised this hasn't come up before!
I've owned a succession of manual 'Vettes and this is my first A8. I love it, and have no regrets and do not miss the manual (granted, I have other cars that have manuals so I'm not without one).
I would not want a TH400 Z06, but this A8 is a different animal entirely from every auto or DCT you've driven before. Most of the derogatory comments from people about the A8 don't own one and are envisioning an old auto in a new car, and that's not what it is. For example, the torque converter is locked up 90% of time so it's a direct-drive setup (not at WOT though), so the notion that you're driving around with a bunch of slippage is not based on reality.
But you can't go wrong with the M7 either. They're both great transmissions and they both have a set of issues that annoy.
I've owned a succession of manual 'Vettes and this is my first A8. I love it, and have no regrets and do not miss the manual (granted, I have other cars that have manuals so I'm not without one).
I would not want a TH400 Z06, but this A8 is a different animal entirely from every auto or DCT you've driven before. Most of the derogatory comments from people about the A8 don't own one and are envisioning an old auto in a new car, and that's not what it is. For example, the torque converter is locked up 90% of time so it's a direct-drive setup (not at WOT though), so the notion that you're driving around with a bunch of slippage is not based on reality.
But you can't go wrong with the M7 either. They're both great transmissions and they both have a set of issues that annoy.
Last edited by davepl; Oct 11, 2017 at 02:15 PM.