What's wrong with Automatics

[Zhead]

I've read a lot of posts on switching from automatic to standad and none viceversa.

Is it a bad thing to have an automatic transmision an a 240Z?

It's because of poor performance, or do they fail more often.

I just bought an automatic 240Z with L28 engine, I want to know how much the automatic tranny is ruin the performance of the L28.

I haven't seen a automatic race car in my life, that mean someting

I'm not a hard core racing fanatic. but it's more fun driving a standard that's for shure.

[Fun_in_my_z]

a true sports car needs a stick.

i know there a whole lot funner then a auto.

but ive never driven a z (mines still in pieces)

i cant realy anser this for you.

my 2 cents.

[PrOxLaMuS©]

Real Race cars are automatics... actually

Big dragsters... new Ferrari's and Aston Martins...

have those paddle shifts.. which are automatics, which you manually shift.

Automatic transmissions can hold boost during shifts in turbo cars, and the shifting from gear to gear is done in less than a second, comapred to the several sec. it takes for some manuals.

Automatics may not be able to launch as good as an manual, but you can brake torque it... and hold the brake and floor it.. with a high stall speed torque converter.. you canhold it at like 4,000 RPM in full boost and rip off the line.. while still havin traction.

[Zedrally]

Nothing wrong with a auto. I've got both and enjoy driving each one!

[Alfadog]

A *lot* of power loss with a 30 year old auto compared to manual. And it's just no fun!

[halz]

new Ferrari's and Aston Martins...

have those paddle shifts.. which are automatics

Hmmm, You might as well include Alfa Romeos too... I think these cars actually all have a clutch-and-gearbox type transmission. The 'automatic' part is the electronic operation of the clutch and gearshift which is quite different to the traditional torque-converter type of automatic transmission (ie, what you would find in a Z.)

[beandip]

My '73 with a L-28 is an automatic. When I bought the car the first thing I was going to do was make the change to a 5 speed. I decided to drive the car for a while before doing so and am glad that I did. It's been 3 yrs now and no way do I want to change. Now , this car is a driver and I do not race , at least on the track, and do not plan to. As long as there are parts available if and when I need repairs , I will continue with the automatic. My 2c:classic:

[landmizzle]

Howdy,

There's nothing WRONG with an automatic transmission. I may have been the source of some of those posts you've read as I just recently did a 5-speed swap in my automatic equiped '72.

I was like Beandip, in that when I first picked up my latest Z last April, the first thing I wanted to do was swap the automatic out. Based on serveral peoples advice I waited and drove the car about 15,000 miles to find out how I really felt about the automatic. Obviously, I came to a different conclusion, but that's just me.

It's charming actually. Very easy to drive; especially around the city and in traffic. So there is nothing wrong with it. It all comes done to personal preference and what your looking for out of your Z.

My main reasons for swapping out were;

1) I like the control I have with a manual.

2) I feel sports cars are more in charecter with a stick.

3) Manuals are more effecient (in general), ie. less power loss to the rear wheels.

4) Better gas mileage. My car went from 21MPG to a solid 25MPG. Bear in mind I went with a 5-speed swap. However even with a 4-speed, it still would have improved.

5) The car is just plan more FUN to drive, especially on back twisty roads. Even manauly selecting gears in an automatic doesn't come close to actually shifting for sport driving; besides the fact that the automatic has only three gears.

6) The wife is MUCH less likely to drive the Z now that it has a stick. Hehehe.....

Again, bottom line is, if you have an automatic Z and you like it, keep it that way. It's your car and it's you preference that matters.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[NR240]

Of course, this is a matter of personal taste.

I swapped from Auto to 5 speed Manual haven't looked back. A sports car is for driving, a manual shift occupies you and gives you the sensation of controlling the machine. For me anyway!!

[Zrush]

No better feeling in the world than ripping through the gears in a Z.

:devious:

Vicky

[sblake01]

Originally posted by PrOxLaMuS©

...with a high stall speed torque converter.. you canhold it at like 4,000 RPM in full boost and rip off the line.. while still havin traction.

Are those available for the Datsun/Nissan auto trans?

[TomoHawk]

Some replies are due to hormones, obiously,

but it's coming to the point whewre the differnce between a manual or auto shift transmission is the third pedal under the dash, and the shift pattern (but I'm doing something about the latter). Automatics are becomming just as good as manuals in the MPG department, which is why most new cars come with automatics now.

there is also some danger associated with the manual shift trans. Where I live, there are a few hilly roads with traffic lights part way up, and occasionally you'll hear of somebody that couldn't hit it right and collided with theperson behind- especially in winter.

You could always go with a manual vave body, if you like changing the gears constantly.

Also, most of the Street Rods I see now have autos, although some with drag shifters.