Automatic vs. Manual

[g9m3c]

Alright guys, this is an argument me and a friend of mine has been having the last couple of days, so I decided to let it spill over to FSC and see what all of you think. We were discussing how automatic transmissions compare to manual transmissions in drag racing. I'm not saying which side of the story I'm on, just so we don't get biased results. The scenario is this: 2 cars, each with a good driver that knows what he's doing. Both cars have the exact engine, horsepower, torque, etc. Also, both cars are identical, same weight with driver, everything is identical. The only difference between the two at all, is that one is a manual, and one is an automatic. The manual is shifted with the clutch each time, no speed shifting here, and the automatic is either left alone, or has a manual valve body, which ever would be the best and fastest for the particular driver. Even the gear ratios in the trans are identical (hypethetically speaking). The question is, which one would win, the manual or the auto?

[FarmTruk]

A properly set-up auto will shift quicker under acceleration...

The winner will be the driver with the best reaction time

[g9m3c]

Reaction times are identical as well, forgot to mention that.

[cooker2003]

An auto with a proper stall converter and shift kit will have much better consistency and would IMO have the advantage.

Dave

[MStefak]

Also depends which manual and auto tranny we speak .. and torque converter.

Different tranny's mean different gear ratio's.

[Mathew7000]

i agree that the auto would win if it was properly set up.

[AyerForce]

Also take into consideration that auto converters have torque multiplication, this will mean that the auto tranny will see more power until the converter reaches its efficient stall speed. The manual does not have the multiplication so will have to actually launch higher and that tends to make traction more of an issue. The auto will also shift faster. I hope that makes sense.

My vote goes to the automatic.

[outlaw_king]

to give you a comparison we run an auto matic in our race car and we switched classes and thru in a 5 speed. same motor same power same car same everything expect for the transmission the car picked up from running 8.30 at 165MPH to 8.10 at 168MPH. buy having more gears regardless of ratio it will keep the motor in the power band more so you have less RPM drop between shifts. hope this gives more information to you...

I would take the 5 speed to win.

[TrmBrainInjury]

I love my automatics but I'd give it to the manual. Automatics can suck up to about 30hp from the rear wheels and like Outlaw said, a manual should keep it in the powerband better.

[FarmTruk]

to give you a comparison we run an auto matic in our race car and we switched classes and thru in a 5 speed. same motor same power same car same everything expect for the transmission the car picked up from running 8.30 at 165MPH to 8.10 at 168MPH. buy having more gears regardless of ratio it will keep the motor in the power band more so you have less RPM drop between shifts. hope this gives more information to you...

I would take the 5 speed to win.

What kind of tranny are you runnin' 8.10s with ?

[g9m3c]

Keep in mind guys, the only variable in this hypothetical situation is strictly automatic technology vs. manual technology. Just to be fair to both sides, both trannies have the same number of gears, and all gears are the same ratios.

[TrmBrainInjury]

So are you just comparing an automatic shift vs. a maual shift with possible human error? If everything is exactly the same I don't understand what you're asking for except can a person shift faster than an automatic tranny.

[g9m3c]

So are you just comparing an automatic shift vs. a maual shift with possible human error? If everything is exactly the same I don't understand what you're asking for except can a person shift faster than an automatic tranny.

Pretty much, as soon as you start adding variables such as different ratios and human error, it would have to be assessed on a case by case basis. Not necessarily just can a person shift faster with one of them, but for what reasons would a manual be faster than an automatic, or vice versa. The whole argument we had was strictly, automatic versus manual, no 700R4 vs. t56 or anything like that. Auto vs. manual, therefore, that must be the only variable.

[TrmBrainInjury]

OK, I got ya I think. A built auto with stall would perform pretty impressively and keep the engine in the right rpm range but would still give up horsepower and probably weight to the manual. With no speed shifting I'd say auto but put a talented driver in and I'd give the manual the edge. I should be on Pinks with all my jibberish, lol.

[FarmTruk]

Road racing would be a different story. If I have to turn lefty/righty I'd say stick.

Drag race with a pure, unaltered stock vehicle, I still say stick.

Drag race with a prepped tranny...gimme the auto this time...

[psychoshanesz71]

I cant believe this argument is still going on... It was started in the 60s! As far as shifting goes its about the same anymore. Ala LENCO etc. Too bad Ol Ronnie Sox wasnt still around.

[redchevysport]

Eliminating human error, I would undoubtedly say a stick.

Everything else being equal, a manual more efficiently transfers power and with less parasitic loss. It would not be very different.

But if you are talking pro drag racing, and CONSISTENCY is more important than getting a faster time when everything goes right... I'd give to the auto... People are human...

The nature of this argument is that there is no better answer, both have pros and cons, and depending on what is more important for your use, one is better than the other.

[StepsideLM7]

In your completely unreal scenerio i'd give the advantage to the stick. Mainly because a stock auto weighs more...has more power loss and doesn't stay in the powerband efficently.

But in the real world stalled autos win drag races while sticks impress high school kids...even from a roll.

[YenkoST]

The auto sucks up more horsepower yes. But, the auto gives the driver a more consist launch. And if the gear ratios of each tranny were the same....being consist win's everytime.

[YenkoST]

In your completely unreal scenerio i'd give the advantage to the stick. Mainly because a stock auto weighs more...has more power loss and doesn't stay in the powerband efficently.

But in the real world stalled autos win drag races while sticks impress high school kids...even from a roll.

While the auto might way more, you also have to consider that for the manual, you need a clutch pedal assembly, booster with fuild, etc. So, it really all about the same.