Auto or Stick

[marcspaz]

My opinion... Get an auto and install an aftermarket ratchet shifter, then have the tune for the trans done correctly by someone who "knows" how to performance tune autos.

I had a stick, after going through 2 tr3650's and a tr6060, I finally swapped to a 5r55s with a ratchet shifter. It is great in traffic or if I want to drive and hold my wife's hand while cruising. I also shaved near 1/2 a second off my ET at the track (cause I can't drive). Plus, with the ratchet shifter and a properly tuned trans, I have the ability to shift and lock gears manually for some kickass spirited driving.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

As the OP is going to use it as a DD and for drag racing, then the automatic makes the most sense. Add a blower down the road, and the automatic (with stall converter) allows you to stay in the boost for the entire drag strip, whereas, with a manual you dump the boost when you shift.

I've owned 5 manual Mustangs and love rowing the gears, but am happy that I went with an automatic for my current supercharged Mustang.

 

[ghostrider7953]

at 57 the only thing I want to shift is my butt from 1 side the seat to the other. Besides its my dd . I'm happy in auto.

 

[Germeezy3]

As the OP is going to use it as a DD and for drag racing, then the automatic makes the most sense. Add a blower down the road, and the automatic (with stall converter) allows you to stay in the boost for the entire drag strip, whereas, with a manual you dump the boost when you shift.

I've owned 5 manual Mustangs and love rowing the gears, but am happy that I went with an automatic for my current supercharged Mustang.

You are an example of how quick a proper auto setup can run, your car would be slower and more brutal to drivetrain components with a manual.

 

[Melvin's Fly]

stick

 

[mpf]

Manual, the clutch is so light, easier than my stick Escape 4 cyl. That makes really heavy city traffic no sweat, you can roll at like 2-3 mph in gear, foot off clutch pedal, with none of that 'bucking' some manuals do at really low speeds.

 

[Shane361]

Guys, when you go to the drag strip the goal isn't to feel more like a man. If that's what you want get in the ring with another man and see who exits. The goal..IS TO WIN. If winning in a auto makes you feel like a girl..drag racing is not for you or 2nd place is. You can always tell a noobie when they say sticks are for chicks. To agree with everyone here...autos are not as much fun and yes they take some of the reward out of winning. It boils down to what you want out of your car, period. I did my auto 02GT supercharged with gears, built tranny, stall and now I have two 6 speed Mustangs. I will be drag racing my 6 speed 04 Cobra often but oneday if I decide to be faster I wil swap out the rear end for a SRE and I will throw in an auto. The auto has it's place in our world..and it isn't just for girls or lazy drivers...

 

[Germeezy3]

Guys, when you go to the drag strip the goal isn't to feel more like a man. If that's what you want get in the ring with another man and see who exits. The goal..IS TO WIN. If winning in a auto makes you feel like a girl..drag racing is not for you or 2nd place is. You can always tell a noobie when they say sticks are for chicks. To agree with a everyone here...autos are not as much fun and yes they take some of the reward out of winning. It boils down to what you want out of your car, period. I did my auto 02GT supercharged with gears, built tranny, stall and now I have two 6 speed Mustangs. I will be drag racing my 6 speed 04 Cobra often but oneday if I decide to be faster I wil swap out the rear end for a SRE and I will throw in an auto. The auto has it's place in our world..and it isn't just for girls or lazy drivers...

Damn good post, I find that the people used to driving cars with stock slushboxes have no idea how good a built/ stalled auto with or without gears is. Its a whole different world, and the way it feels is quite addictive!

 

[Five Oh Brian]

You are an example of how quick a proper auto setup can run, your car would be slower and more brutal to drivetrain components with a manual.

Thank you for knowing that. I know you've seen my car on the dyno; have you seen it at Pacific Raceways or Bremerton Raceway? You & I have mutual acquaintences with supercharged S197's with manuals that trap much higher than me, but just match - or barely beat - my ET's.

The key for my car is correctly matched components (that work in the same rpm band) and awesome tuning by John Garner at the Horsepower Ranch in Maple Valley, WA.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

Damn good post, I find that the people used to driving cars with stock slushboxes have no idea how good a built/ stalled auto with or without gears is. Its a whole different world, and the way it feels is quite addictive!

You are oh so right! Stalled auto launches as hard (or harder) than manuals. A few more benefits: no letting up for upshifts, less stress on the drivetrain, easier to launch w/o blowing the tires off, more consistent, no missed shifts, upshifts done at exact rpm's, etc. For the drag strip, an automatic reigns supreme. For road racing, autocrossing, or just plain daily driver, a manual is my choice.

 

[Germeezy3]

Thank you for knowing that. I know you've seen my car on the dyno; have you seen it at Pacific Raceways or Bremerton Raceway? You & I have mutual acquaintences with supercharged S197's with manuals that trap much higher than me, but just match - or barely beat - my ET's.

The key for my car is correctly matched components (that work in the same rpm band) and awesome tuning by John Garner at the Horsepower Ranch in Maple Valley, WA.

John is a huge asset to our community in WA! And yes we both know people with a lot more power that ET the same. Nothing beats seeing a stalled auto car launch and thinking damn that car looks like it barely got out of its own way and seeing a 1.6x or lower 60 foot time!

You are oh so right! Stalled auto launches as hard (or harder) than manuals. A few more benefits: no letting up for upshifts, less stress on the drivetrain, easier to launch w/o blowing the tires off, more consistent, no missed shifts, upshifts done at exact rpm's, etc. For the drag strip, an automatic reigns supreme. For road racing, autocrossing, or just plain daily driver, a manual is my choice.

I was always a manual guy until I bought my C5 with a stalled auto, full manual 1st and 2nd..3200 rpm stall..and built trans. I can't tell you how many people I have beaten with more power guys that I know dyno higher than I did. And that was a 4 speed auto, I can't imagine a 6 speed auto with a stall and tranny tune or being built.

 

[Marc s]

Thank you for knowing that. I know you've seen my car on the dyno; have you seen it at Pacific Raceways or Bremerton Raceway? You & I have mutual acquaintences with supercharged S197's with manuals that trap much higher than me, but just match - or barely beat - my ET's.

The key for my car is correctly matched components (that work in the same rpm band) and awesome tuning by John Garner at the Horsepower Ranch in Maple Valley, WA.

Tell me about it. OP, buy an auto.

 

[Melvin's Fly]

Lots of people I know drive autos - my mom, my aunt, my sister, my grandma...

I'm just busting balls - really, I don't understand why you're asking. I don't drag mine any, and if I did I doubt I'd get an auto simply b/c it's way more fun to me driving a stick - key words are TO ME.

 

[302]

If i had to do it all over again i would get an auto and the brembo package.

 

[stang1971]

If i had to do it all over again i would get an auto and the brembo package.

cant get brembo's with the auto

 

[302]

cant get brembo's with the auto

wut?!

How lame.

 

[fdjizm]

cant get brembo's with the auto

See they know you don't deserve it

 

[Five Oh Brian]

Tell me about it. OP, buy an auto.

Well, I wasn't going to name any names, Marc (LOL)..... I really want to see your car run with the suspension sorted out. I know there's high 10's in your car to go with those 125+ mph trap speeds, but it might just take a swap to an automatic to get there?

 

[Vapour Trails]

Manual obviously. Do you want to be a driver or just a bystander?

 

[Germeezy3]

Well, I wasn't going to name any names, Marc (LOL)..... I really want to see your car run with the suspension sorted out. I know there's high 10's in your car to go with those 125+ mph trap speeds, but it might just take a swap to an automatic to get there?

I think that with a tweak to the rear instant center and an auto trans that car would easily run 10's. But I don't think we will ever get to see that now that the car is retired.