Opinions.... Automatic tranny w/High Speed TQ or 5-speed?

[PrOxLaMuS©]

Well.. I am absolutly going nuts, because I want my car to launch right off the line... but there are advantages and dis-advantages of my goal...

Other than getting an different Differential....

Would you Z owners, rather drive an automatic transmission with an high stall speed torque conveter with lock-up? (Lock up=during high rpm's the engine and transmission lock together for a "direct connection")

-or-

Would you Z owners just drive an 5-speed transmission?

*Here are my pros and cons...

naturally I plan on someday getting an L28eT.... so an automatic would be great, since my shifts would be faster, and the turbo would hold boost during the automatics shifts....

but with automatic transmissions, you can't launch the car at any RPM's you wish to smoke the tires, give it hard take-off, you cant DriFt (unless you know how to use the Low (1st) gear and e-brake) and when you want to show off your turbo and blow-off valve you have to put in it neutral... i dunno

5-speeds you can control what RPM's you want to launch the car with, what RPM's you want during shifts, you can burn out, you can DOWNSHIFT which would be an advantage, you can control drifts much easier....

But you have to use your feet, and they can get tired during traffic, and your hand is always on the shifter, so you have an disadvantage with 1 hand on the wheels... and shifts are slower... and you loose boost druing shifts.

What are everyone's opinions on this...

5-speed or

Automatic (comfort) with high speed torque conveter

[AxtellZ]

I've gotta think nearly EVERYONE is going to go with a manual transmission if looking for race-type driving..

That said, i have a 73 with the original auto- i planned to put in a 5 spd, but then i bought the 74... so, i left the auto alone, so my wife can drive the 73 and not complain how hard it is to drive around here with a manual.

If it were my choice- 5 speed for sure. Benefits surely outway the drawbacks. Maybe you can outfit one of the clutchless "paddle-shift" racing transmissions??

[PrOxLaMuS©]

Sequential transmission?

.. those go for excess of $4,500 to $12,000.. i would have to have one custom made for my Z...

so thats a no

[kyteler]

I'd have to say, 5spd.

My Skyline is Auto however, the guy I bought it off has all the parts to convert it to manual and well, the moment I have the cash, it'll be a 5spd.

Automatics just aren't any fun, at all.

... ever.

And besides, having to change gears keeps you alert and also lets you downshift into just the right rev range to let out that smooth 6 deceleration sound. mmmmm, straight 6 downshift.

[Inf]

Originally posted by kyteler

Automatics just aren't any fun, at all.

... ever.

Agreed, it feels like you have no real connection with the car. An automatic is ok for a family sedan or a truck, but in my opinion, you would have to be nuts to want an automatic in a sports car you planned on driving for fun in anything but a straight line.

[ZmeFly]

whats the use of having a sports car with an auto unless you just wanna go straight:finger: