Auto vs Manual although not like that

[Madigon]

I was thinking about how automatics work, and was wondering:

why are manual transmissions supposedly better? Besides how they feel, but rather in performance statistics, couldn't an automatic transmission be programmed to shift faster and at better places than a manual shifter with a person's errors? Wouldn't it be more consistent on track times? I'm just wondering because the hype is toward a manual stick shifter, and I think that we are quickly ruling out the possibilities of an auto.

PS does AOD mean automatic OverDrive? Just wondering.

[Tony H]

Yes thats what it means.
As far as the manual/ auto thing, the human mind is the best computer ever made.

[SkylineUSA]

For road course, Manual

For 1/4 mile, Auto

[DkShadow]

Originally posted by SkylineUSA
For road course, Manual

For 1/4 mile, Auto

Ditto...


Autos are more suited for drag racing mainly because its more consistent, handle more power, easier to launch and the most obvious one... You cant outshift a computer. High Stall converter, tranny cooler, and shift kit should about do it for an auto. Not to mention some low gears.

[GTStang]

As fars as hardcore drag racing the line gets so blurred. Air shifted Jericho trannies are almost autos. And full manual valvce body lightning rod equipped autos are almost manuals. You will always get a lil more valve train loss through autos. But manuals are harder to be consistent. But do hold an edge. Example Billy Glidden.

[venom800R]

the germans are now making six speed automatics for racing that shift a hundred times faster than a human could ever with a traditional manual. however, with a manual, you have much more control as to how you use your rpms and stuff.

[Madigon]

That's what I was thinking, and what do you mean by shift kit?

Oh ya I have a general transmission question. Since I'm not going to ask my auto-inclinged step-father (might get mad at me).

When I punch it and the car shifts at redline, I hear a squeak from car. This has to be coming from the transmission since it happens exactly during the shift, but only at high speeds. What is this and is it problematic do continue if it does this?

Can you buy automatic transmissions that have more gears in them for the mustang besides the 4 speed. I think that with more gears and a re-worked computer it could definitely help if you drop in 3.73 or even 4.10 gears. Anyone done this or heard of it done?

And paddle shifters shift about 3/10ths faster than a human could... but you never know. Depends on whether or not you want to rip the shifter off the gate like C&D did to my beautiful Raging Bull (Lambo).

[HiFlow5 0]

Unless your pumping out some serious power a manual will always have an advantage. An auto will be more consistent, but the point where an auto is better would have to be anything better then 11's at the track, where thousandths of a second count in competition. A manual has less frictional loss then an auto and has the ability to put more usable power to the ground. Stock for stock a manual has the advantage, but a well built AOD (high stall converter, shift kit, steeper gears) can hang with a manual of equal mods. This is all taken for granted if the driver knows how to shit a manual properly.

[HiFlow5 0]

Oh and Madigon, a shit kit is installed into the valve body of an automatic transmission. It will alter the shift points, create more line pressure, make for harder more firm, quick, clean shifts.

[spectorv]

its the set up of the auto that makes it crappy compared to the manual, if you look at teh GM auto vs the manual they are both equal, both run the same times ect ect....its just the way ford has them set up....if they would alter it and do a little tunning on it it would be right up there with the manual.

[BigDanTheMan]

they each have their own time and place - i wouldn't want to drive a rally car with an automatic, but then i woudln't want to be embarrased on the strip by a weaker car then mine with an automatic shifter. If i had a big sedan, like a town car or something, i'd appreciate and automatic, or if i intended on doing some towing. But a sports car is a must manuel. In the city, auto - in the mountains - stick. It just all depends on the car and where you're at.

[rerun]

manual is better in pretty much everything...
and in drag racing a manual is better, UNLESS your getting to serious hp.. enoguh to run 9s or so, otherwise you would be dumb to get an auto for a car that only has.. lets say 250-300 thinking that it would be faster in the 1/4 mile

[BigDanTheMan]

not everything - what about busses? and full sized sedans? and girls?

[DkShadow]

Originally posted by rerun
manual is better in pretty much everything...
and in drag racing a manual is better, UNLESS your getting to serious hp.. enoguh to run 9s or so, otherwise you would be dumb to get an auto for a car that only has.. lets say 250-300 thinking that it would be faster in the 1/4 mile

Are you kidding me? So consistency is dumb? Reliability is dumb also? I guess you didnt know the autos are stronger and can hold more power than the 5spds right? The new autos out today arent like the old slush-boxes that used to be out. The 4R70W is one strong automatic tranny and dont forget the 4L60E matched with an LS1 is damn nearly unstoppable.

[Madigon]

Shift kits are practical too? That's a nice touch.

Anything about the squeal from the tranny at high rpms? I've heard installing a steeda Tr-Ax shifter removes the sound boot and let's in more sound from the transmission, and you can hear the shifting or I don't know it was a while ago when I read about it. Is the sound normal or abrasive?

PS - Rerun: first you say the answer to all problems is to "buy yourself a real engine [a V8]", and now your're sticking to manuals like they are a religion... I sense some fanboy-ism in you.

Do you like supras by any chance?