Question about auto vs. manual

I used to always assume that a car with a manual trans would have more hp and be quicker than an automatic, but lately i've heard and read that in certain cars such as V8 muscle cars, like the 87 trans am i used to have, an auto can actually be better than a manual, just wondering if thats true and if so why..

Automatic can be faster. More consistent.

Stock for stock, most of the time the manual is faster as long as the driver has a clue how to drive it.
Do some work to the automatic tranny (Stall, shift kit, etc...) and it suddenly becomes faster. Plus, no misshifts.

Mine is a manual. If I raced at the track more than I do, I would have an automatic.

ok... so your saying im better of tunning f bettering my automatic than switching to manual. i drove a stick mustang for a while and im a pretty good driver wich choice do u think would make my car better Upgrading auto or switching to manual....?????

Depends on what you want.

If you want a 1/4 mile car...stick with an automatic.

In the 3rd Gen Fbodies, the L98 350 TPi motor only came with the Automatic, you could not get one infront of the WC T-5 transmission.

yeah deffinitly agree stick with the auto and put a stall converter in it..a little cheaper and a lot easier to install..plus you'll be surprised with the gains you'll get with good traction..

but wont u get better mileage with the stick?

although ive doen quite alot of engone work im a rookie with transmissions... ive swapped them but i didnt even know they were upgradable...i thought a better transmissions simply means new aftermarket. What are the things i could do to improve a tansmission?

OFF topic i just didnt want to post such a thread. what year to what year are the Genarations. Maybe a stupid question but i dont know which gen is my car or how many there are.

the first gen goes to like..70? then from 82 is 3rd gen, 93 4th gen.

trans pan cooler

u skipped 2nd, and i think 4th gen is from 98+

u skipped 2nd, and i think 4th gen is from 98+
4th gen started in 1993 I believe. Never did memorize the exact years.
98+ 4th gens got the LS1 though.

go to musclecarclub.com, and look under firebird history, it gives info on all 4 generations, 1st gen is 67-69, 2nd is 70-81, 3rd is 82-92, and 4th is 93-02..