Auto vs manual drag car

[Extremities]

I have the chance to get a bone stock 2g gsx for a decent price, but, it's automatic. I've always been a 5 speed guy but for the right price, I'd drive an auto. Now the real reason for this is post is that if I did get it, or any dsm, in a year or so I have plans to for a drag project. Strictly track and strip. I want to see what everyones opinions and knowledge is with 5 speed vs auto cars for race. The only thing I know about autos are that they dont lose boost while shifting.

 

[clipto]

Auto all day any day. Just to let you know this thread will turn into a battle between the 2. Just get what you like.

 

[Bo0sTdTsI]

Auto has started to prove better by what I've seen, but me I like banging gears and love shifting so its pretty much peference and how comfortable you feel the ride in my opinion. I like auto but not on my dsm honestly.

 

[Extremities]

I dont mind either but I do love banging gears like boosted tsi said. Im just trying to weigh pros and cons for drag.

 

[clipto]

Rather simple auto more consistence for drag racing no gear missing holding boost all the way. Can make more power with 5 speed but can get it down at the drag strip meaning is the 1/4 time more important to you or is the hp number. 5 speed can be fun as I am not a fan or it but it's just what you like to do. I eat and play around alot when I drive so I love auto. 5 speed and traffic ha lets not even get started.

 

[Extremities]

Lol I hate driving a 5 speed with traffic. Probably the worst thing but its overall fun for me. If I can get a good deal on this car, I'll definitely pick it up. Besides being auto, its exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[91fwdnightmare]

Lets add up some facts....
From the factory auto gsx cars came detuned compared to there manual counterpart smaller injectors smaller turbos cams a less aggressive timing and fuel map and they were still quicker in the quarter mile yes less hp but overall quicker with exact same set ups the auto could easily run a full second faster, full boost through shifts is the biggest difference also eliminating missed shift chances reducing alot of the guess work involved in a manual set up also not having to shock the drive train on each launch and leaving under boost helps 60foot times and less broken parts. All in all drag car auto is more consistant less breaking and better et's but most important is what you prefer.

 

[spoonman]

Lets add up some facts....
From the factory auto gsx cars came detuned compared to there manual counterpart smaller injectors smaller turbos cams a less aggressive timing and fuel map and they were still quicker in the quarter mile yes less hp but overall quicker with exact same set ups the auto could easily run a full second faster, full boost through shifts is the biggest difference also eliminating missed shift chances reducing alot of the guess work involved in a manual set up also not having to shock the drive train on each launch and leaving under boost helps 60foot times and less broken parts. All in all drag car auto is more consistant less breaking and better et's but most important is what you prefer.

This post implies more of the differences in a 1G DSM auto vs manual. 2gs had the same injectors camshafts and turbo in both drive lines. Just adding for clarification.


But I can guarantee that a stock 1g manual faster in a 1/4 mile than an automatic.







Manual vs Auto

Consistency and reliability. The auto will take the stress from the launch better and transfer the shock through the driveline better. So you will break parts much less often.


A good driver can make a manual consistent at the track, this also lands heavily on the set up, clutch, dog box, shifting mech. You will spend a lot more on a manual setup.



A manual will ultimately prove to provide a faster time, this is because of the power that is lost in the driveline of an auto.

 

[Extremities]

I'm starting to lean more towards automatic from what has been said about reliability. No one wants parts breaking all the time. I guess I'll have to check out the car and see. This will be my first build so power wont be crazy high. I'm thinking in the 400 awd range. Looks like I have more reading to do.

 

[1qkfwd]

A manual will ultimately prove to provide a faster time, this is because of the power that is lost in the driveline of an auto.

Everything you said is pretty much spot on except this statement. You do lose power and you will lose mph. But an auto setup right will provide a quicker ET.

 

[mitsubishimanic]

from a 1g prospective i have had a manual and now an auto that has all the 5 speed's stuff swaped in and my auto is hands down faster then my old 5 speed. Only thing i can say bad about the auto is its completely useless out side of boost i do miss the 5 speeds snappiness out side of boost. also you can pick up a shift box and have complete manual control over your auto. i have the road surge shift box.

 

[TJCTalon]

My recent purchase of a 2g auto dsm has almost made me sell my long time baby and project. They auto is so much fun to drive, constantly runs the same time. Plus stock auto trans vs stock 5 speed will hold significantly more power and abuse.

Only grip I have on my auto is how slow the car seems until it hits boost. When I drive my 5 speed it feels like it accelerates so much faster even before boost.

And also I cant stand the stock torque converter. Literally is the biggest pain to spool even small turbos off the line. If your going to do any 1/4 mile racing the first thing I would buy is a restalled converter or a billet one.

 

[camfast]

I currently have an auto and i love it. Before i had nothing but 5spd but then i found a great deal on a 2g auto that i couldnt pass up. You stated that you want a track car so i would suggest an auto for that. It wont be a bolt on affair and then you go because there are some upgrades to be done for high hp level such as flexplate and bolts, cooler, shift box etc...but at the end it will net you the faster E.T that you looking for. Also, ive rode on a high compression 2g auto with a 61mm turbo and that thing was enough for me to change to auto. Had great off boost torque and pulled like a freight train up to.

 

[bo0st]

There's a reason they use auto's on the majority of drag strip cars. They shift themselves no room for human error.

If you can get a good AT tranny and put the power down, it'll beat the 5 speed any day of the week. I'd beat 5 speeds Eclipses off the line and I'm an AT. It's all in the mods.