Auto vs. Man(camaro)

[MachoCamacho]

Alright, this guy i've known since the day i was born(one of my dads friends), is a mechanic, he says the 4th generation camaros(93+) are better automatic transmission cause they shift faster than any human can, but with a manual you would be able to get a better start, any thoughts on this? input please. Also i'm hoping/planning on z28, probly LT1

[Tekone]

Originally Posted by MachoCamacho

Alright, this guy i've known since the day i was born(one of my dads friends), is a mechanic, he says the 4th generation camaros(93+) are better automatic transmission cause they shift faster than any human can, but with a manual you would be able to get a better start, any thoughts on this? input please. Also i'm hoping/planning on z28, probly LT1

Stock, the auto does not shift faster. With a stall converter, yes, it will be better at the drag strip though. With the fourth generation f-bodies, the automatic and manual versions of the car are very close in the 1/4th, which makes them rare in that regard. From a roll, though, it's a different story.

[buddhahaha]

If you're bracket racing, you'll usually be more consistant with an auto.

[BadAzz240]

Originally Posted by Tekone

Stock, the auto does not shift faster. With a stall converter, yes, it will be better at the drag strip though. With the fourth generation f-bodies, the automatic and manual versions of the car are very close in the 1/4th, which makes them rare in that regard. From a roll, though, it's a different story.

I dont know what is wrong with your Auto. but all the ones I have seen including my own, the stock auto takes the car all the way to redline and shifts perfectly and quickly into the next gear. All the stall will do is get you there faster but the computer is still telling the car when to shift, which in those cars its right at redline or right before. Oh, and I can take off better than 2 of my friends that have manuals, its a matter of learning how to control your vehicle and getting the feel of the car. I am not trying to say your wrong but this is just what i have noticed. The other good thing about Auto. is you dont have to worry about missing your gear cause once you do, the race is over..... I think that the only reason that a manual would beat an automatic is that the manuals came stock with a higher gear ratio which in turn would drop them that extra 10th or two.

[MachoCamacho]

But wouldnt it be fairly easy to get the gear ratio's changed to fit your style?

[BadAzz240]

Umm...yeah, I was just staing a fact though. I wouldnt upgrade the gears anyway i would get a whole new rear-end if your planning on putting any real power down. The stock ones just cant handle very much power.

[MachoCamacho]

No real power? what do you mean by that? I mean i know its not 400 hp or anything but its faster/as fast as 90% of the ricer cars here...

[Oldercarguy]

For racing I have tried them all. Auto is better for consistency. You can run a high stall setup, and convert the valve body to a manual system and pick your shift points on the older 350s. You can reprogram the puter on the newer ones with regards to shift points as well.

[DVS LT1]

Another auto vs. manual thread, eh?!

It was published in a few auto mags back in the mid 90's that the automatic Firebirds with performance shift were faster in the quarter mile than their manual counterparts. However, I often wonder what the gear ratio's were in the comparisons - Autos typically have taller gears(numerically lower) than the six-speeds which gives them less advantage in the quarter mile. Although from my own experience theres been times where my long first gear has messed with the heads of some kids and actually led them to fuck up their shifts.

The best thing about autos is that once you drop in a high stall TQ converter and shorter gears you'll have a setup that will never let you down (once you learn it) and require the stick shift boys to always be on their game - and we're talking about the boys who are great stick-shift drivers in the first place. The amateurs won't stand a chance.