what is with automatics?

[Injuneer]

Originally posted by Rekisito
Well, the way I see it, people would rather have an automatic because they're too lazy to shift. ie. - old people.

Originally posted by tabahr
And old people dont buy Camaros or Firebirds.....

Your prejudice is showing. I bought my 94 Formula brand new, at the age of 53. I waited 6 months to get an M6.... as Knightfire mentioned, they were VERY hard to get.

Now I drive an automatic.... same 94 Formula, but with a TH400 and Gear Vendor O/D. I found it was a lot more consistent when the car started running low 11's with the 125-shot. And I figure when it runs low 10's with the 275-shot it will be even better.

62 year old card carrying member of NHRA and AARP

Wanna race? SLP Customer Appreciation Day, 10/11 at Englishtown... I'll be there.

[Injuneer]

Ooooooopppss..... forgot to mention. The quickest LT1 that I'm aware of was a 3,900# 30th SS convertible, that started life as an M6 in the hands of a 50-year old.... and finished its life with a TH400. He wasn't "lazy"..... just found it hard to put 1,125HP through a T56 and make 9.04@155MPH passes.

Well... it didn't really "finish up" yet..... he's got it over 1,300HP now.

You're only as old as you act.

[Rekisito]

To clear things up, I wasn't referring to f-bodies alone, I was referring to any car, meaning what I say is partially true.

I live in Florida, in a fairly decent sized town, HOWEVER, 80% or so of it's population consists of senior citizens. Also note I did not say old people don't drive f-bodies, that was not my statement. I see "old people" driving firebirds and camaro's (even the SS and WS6) all the time, usually doing about 10mph under the speed limit. For those of who of you who are of the the elderly and do drive the limit and occasionally show what your car is made of, I'm very happy for you, however that is a whole other subject.

I want a manual transmission for one particular reason, because it makes MY driving experience all that much better. I have driven both automatics and manuals. In my case my auto was faster than my manual, however I never have as much fun.

As for an auto being faster than a manual I have no place in arguing when concerning a V8 as I have never owned one. But from my experience with the cars I have owned and driven, the manual has always been faster.

*** For the above statement I meant when comparing my car to the same car with the different tranny....

[Jason97T/A]

Originally posted by wolfman
thats the most childish statement I've seen on a car enthuiast message forum in many years.......

an auto will beat an manual stop light to stop light on any given day.

Hey Ken, just wonderin....but could you explain how an automatic beats a manual like that? I guess I always thought that a manual was quicker? thanks
Jason

[wolfdogs]

Originally posted by Jason97T/A
Hey Ken, just wonderin....but could you explain how an automatic beats a manual like that? I guess I always thought that a manual was quicker? thanks
Jason

simple: traction and ease of launch. 6 speeds come on stronger in 3rd gear. if you were to run from a roll...side by side.. the m6 will pull for a while at 3rd gear point....... but from the lauch..the a4's got it.

[Joe 1320]

I've resisted saying anything as I've had sticks and manuals since a teenager. I get fed up with shifting in traffic. While sticks can be fun, many times a well set up automatic is just as quick in not quicker than a stick car. The descrepancy that most want to point out is that a stick car will often trap 1-2 mph faster everthing else being equal. That is merely the lack of driveline slip that an automatic has. Not only that, if you miss a shift in a stick car, you're done, that doesn't happen with an automatic. Us racers will tell ya, if you want to have fun, get a stick. If you want to WIN races, get an automatic. All of my brutally fast rides have been automatics, they are more forgiving on the rest of the driveline too.

[N20LT4Bird]

Originally posted by wolfman
simple: traction and ease of launch. 6 speeds come on stronger in 3rd gear. if you were to run from a roll...side by side.. the m6 will pull for a while at 3rd gear point....... but from the lauch..the a4's got it.

Wolfman is right. My car was an auto, ran 12.7-12.8 WITHOUT the nitrous and now runs 12.9-13.0 with a T56, just due to the fact that I cant grip it. I would definately be in the 11's with N2O if I still had my auto, but it wouldnt take the power. My options were going to a TH400 or swapping to a T56. I chose T56 because I think it is more fun on the street. It feels more powerful now, but its horribly inconsistent and I cant break a 2.0 60 foot. Oh well...time for a 12 bolt and slicks.

[TimeLord]

I have an A4[4L60E],wiring harness,pedals,console,COAN 3200 Stall.
It is just to have clutch packs changed and a transgo kit installed,I know I would probably get my 60 fts down from my 1.76/1.77 to 1.60s maybe very high 1.50s.
I would also be a heck of a lot closer to 11.99s without changing anything else.
I just like the T-56 too much,,,if ever it goes I will probably swap in the A4 !!!

[wolfdogs]

well... most of yall know;. my Comp is an M6...Mary's hawk is an A4........ so i know the only reason i can take her is im making more power than she is......... and the 4:10's make it quicker...

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Originally posted by Rekisito
Well, the way I see it, people would rather have an automatic because they're too lazy to shift. ie. - old people.

That would be me! And I'll race your misguided self anyday...

It's true that an M6 is lighter and more efficient and has advantages in most types of racing except straight line. Also fun to drive, except in heavy traffic. But with a stick, a lot of guys get so shook up before or during a race that they screw up a shift or mess up the launch. Not that it can't be mastered as TimeLord seems to have done. Just takes a lot of practice and a well adjusted clutch that fully disengages properly, especially for the 1-2 shift. You better have a revlimiter that works, especially a window switch with Nitrous, cause, if you miss a shift, it can wreck the engine. Also, the 4L60Es seem to have a torque limit that can get ya if you are making too much power, and you have to be able to program the PCM to get them to do what you want - and sometimes it doesn't work as expected. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. I wouldn't put down the other guy for whatever setup he chooses, he might just kick your butt in a race.

[M3EATER - GG '00 WS6 T/A]

Originally posted by wolfman
whats "old" to you?

Im 56.......

Well, dad.... I dunno..........

[Christopherrr]

you can vote me in for the auto...not because I can't drive one (I can). Both of my Birds are autos...and some time I wished I had an m6 but at the end, I just prefer an auto because it's easier to live with...no burnt clutchs or anything to worry about.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Curious...How much does it cost to replace a burned out clutch?

[tabahr]

I'm doing mine this weekend

329.00 for the SLP disk, pressure plate and release bearing.
15.00 for a heavy duty pilot bearing.
1 weekend on my back cursing and swearing.
______________

about 350.00 or so if you do it yourself.

I used to have a 95 Z with an auto and at 47K just after the warrenty expired it began slipping at the top end in 4th. At roughly 140 Mph or so. I'm an older guy now with 2 kids so I would never drive that fast again, but i'm sure that my M6 would hold tight to top end. (if it didnt have speed limmiter)

[Black97]

One good thing about this thread that I finally figured out what A4 & M6 means.

Was wondering for a while but didn't put too much effort into finding out.

I guess you could almost say I'm lazy, like driving an A4.