awd 5sd vs fwd auto

[TSimage]

There is a reason nearly 80+% of the fastest cars being built right now are all Autos.. nothing changes from any car, at the drag strip Autos/Clutchless manuals rule the strip. Point blank period.

I've owned a TRE stage 3 race built tranny and I have owned a Shep DogBox. I've ran ACT2600s, XTD stage 4s and PTT twin disc and still they don't compare to driving an auto. Its a whole new level that our community had been ignoring until recently. Less breakage and more consistent times, 2 of the DSMs most known problem issues.

 

[Phil1320]

I’ll admit I was generalizing auto vs manual setups. Have you owned an auto DSM? It sounds like you speak from experience. I however am not, having never owned a DSM auto. I was basing my information off Lucas’s setup. .
QUOTE]

I still personally think I could make an auto reliably almost or just as fast as a manual.

There is a reason nearly 80+% of the fastest cars being built right now are all Autos.. nothing changes from any car, at the drag strip Autos/Clutchless manuals rule the strip. Point blank period.

I've owned a TRE stage 3 race built tranny and I have owned a Shep DogBox. I've ran ACT2600s, XTD stage 4s and PTT twin disc and still they don't compare to driving an auto. Its a whole new level that our community had been ignoring until recently. Less breakage and more consistent times, 2 of the DSMs most known problem issues.

I understand what you're saying. But, again, we are talking of "the fastest cars being built." Unless I'm missing something. Less breakage, I'm with you there, I get that.

As someone said, it's also personal preference. You wanna shift? Or you want a computer to shift for you? Clutchless manual you still can still shift. If you're at the level where breakage is abundant it makes sense.

 

[TSimage]

I understand what you're saying. But, again, we are talking of "the fastest cars being built." Unless I'm missing something. Less breakage, I'm with you there, I get that.

As someone said, it's also personal preference. You wanna shift? Or you want a computer to shift for you? Clutchless manual you still can still shift. If you're at the level where breakage is abundant it makes sense.

Well the thing that many are forgetting to mention is how far the Auto will go before it needs to be beefed up. I was reading Nate's post and couldn't have written a more biased post for Autos if my life depended on it so I figured it'd be nice to have someone here who has been on both sides of the fense as far as the highest built manual (Dogbox, twin disc etc) and built Auto (Full ATF rebuild and full manual body setup).

A lot of guys manually shift their autos at the track, my Auto is a manual bodied auto meaning there isn't even an TCU in my car, I have to shift and down shift it, just like a manual. I guess its about as close as a clutchless manual as you can get.

With only the FREE and quite simple blue wire, full pressure mod an auto tranny is capable of digging easily into the 10s without being touched (shift kit suggested) A 5spd is a ticking time bomb beyond 350tq so typically beyond the 11s threshold. (Yes I understand power to weight and I am just using the typical numbers needed) The manual also offers a large amount of inconsistency and breakage. The ability of the Auto to shift on demand is what not only keeps turbos spooled up better but also avoids the constant drive train shock received when on disengages and reengages a clutch.

Sure, there are more parts available for 5spd as far as the T Case goes, but that is because you WILL NEED it At this point in the game, all of the fast Auto guys have been running on 100% stock drive trains. If we wanted we could run the axels and the drive shaft, but simply don't need to. You are talking about saving roughly $4000++ from your setup, not to mention building an auto vs a comparable Dogbox is 2-3Xs more expensive as well.. All that money to have a car that will still rip through your $2000+ T Case and your $2000 worth of axels and your $1500-3000 drive shaft. All parts you will NEED to be competitive if you plan to race more than a couple times and not use up your AAA roadside assistance before the middle of the drag season.

Yah, at this point, the only reason to stay manual, is if you can't swallow your pride and suck up the fact you have or will be wasting a bunch of money making a car competitive. Sure, you wanna shift gears, feel free to shift them from the back of the pack. This isn't a road course... If you are trying hit up Buttonwillow or Thunder Hill, maybe a few laps at Laguna Seca, ok. But if you want to have a competitive and consistent car, there's no argument.

If you like your 5spd, great, but please don't argue it as being a better option when it is most obviously not.