Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Auto or Manual transmission

[P-38]

I would like to hear. When we are talking about High HP 400+ what is more fun to drive, Manual Automatic?



considering both trannys are upgraded to handle the HP.

 

[Snow man]

I think the auto,only because at 400hp,you want to accelerate quick,and the sticks fall off boost every shift,while the built auto bangs off the next gear,usually with a peep of the tires .

 

[Extreme1]

I think it depends on what you want to do with it. For drag racing the (properly modified) automatic is the better choice. For hauling a heavy load (big 5th wheel or something) I'd opt for a 6 speed and go for an exhaust brake.



Stick are easier to do small burnout with but the monster rubber marks (measured with an odometer) are probably easier with an auto-provided you have the proper brake mods done.



Which reminds me, does anyone have a roll control they want to get rid of?

 

[LSMITH]

The auto once beyond 325 RWHP or so is far more fun to drive IF it puts most of it to the ground.



For pulling trailers the 6 speed is king. For fun horsing around the auto will always rule. For those that disagree I will take a ride in your manual transmission and then you take a ride in my auto truck and you can even have re-ride authority. If mine is more fun you will be quiet, deal?

 

[Bob Wagner]

come on Howard, you have adigital camera post a picture of that wide grin



you deserve it

 

[LSMITH]

It will make you grin a little when you rip through the gears Bob



transmission is working great Dan.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Like everyone has said... .



It all depends on what you want to do with it.



If I lived in the country - away from traffic..... I'd have a manual transmission truck.



They do sound kick-butt on acceleration/deceleration.



I have no regrets with my auto transmission - perfect for street/strip/pulling.



Matt

 

[C. Harlan]

Had an Auto. . Never want to own one again...

had a 5 speed. . Never want one of those again, either.

Have a 6'er now, and LOVE IT!!!!!



-Chris-

 

[DuallyDean]

The best trany? one of each!

I have two CTD's, both '94s. The dually was ordered as an auto, I bought the 3/4 ton as a 5 speed. I have since swapped the trannies. The Dually was hopped up to 230hp before swapping, and remains so. The 3/4 ton is still stock.



I pull a gooseneck at roughly 19,500# GCW (gross combined) I went thru the original auto and one rebuild before giving up and going to the stick. I believe that I ended up in a reduction in performance, but an increase in reliability by going to the stick. There is much to be said about the loss of boost during a manual shift, both for play and towing. Ultimately, I think I will be able to boost the HP to compensate and still maintain reliability, but it will cost additional money. Power braking is a thing of the past now that I stir the gears myself.



I did the swap shortly before the ATS TripleLoc convertor showed up on the scene, and have ridden in two strong trucks that use them. One is a fellow club members '98 12v, the other is a co-worker's '01 24v. One pulls a gooseneck like me, the other primarily drags, dynoes and sled pulls. Based on what I see of these trucks, I would not have switched to the stick if I had it to do over. Stock convertors are the weakest part of the drivetrain, but the aftermarket, especially ATS in my opinion, have really improved convertor technology.



I'm a flatlander from the Midwest, but I recognize the advantage the stick has when coupled to an exhaust brake. There's also no T. P. S. to hassle with. Also, I do have a P. T. O. hydraulic pump used for the dump hoist on one of my goosenecks that would be a tougher to acomplish with an auto transmission, mounting to the P. T. O. on the transfer case would not be as user-friendly.



So, bottom line, like nearly everyone else has said, it comes down to your anticipated usage and priorities.

 

[krs]

Since the question is "which is the most fun to drive?" I'd have to say the auto is, hands down. You don't have to interrupt the beautiful hard pull by tediously shifting.

 

[FATCAT]

Manual trans are for trucks and people who want to control their machines ... .



Auto trans are for cars and little girls ... .

 

[propuller]

I must be a girl cause my 600 horse truck has a DTT automatic that rocks

kurt

 

[TomGolden]

My personal preference has always been a manual transmission. I just hate autos... It's kind of like computers. I am a Unix system admin, and I hate PC's running Windows. I want to be in control, not blindly turn the thing on and have no choice but to let it do what it wants while I hang on and just go with the flow.



Unless I lived in San Francisco itself, or a similarly hilly city, with equally slooooooooow traffic, I would never have anything with an auto transmission. If I didn't want to truly enjoy the driving experience, I'd ride the bus



Think about it: Have you ever heard of a Porsche, Lambourghini, Ferrari, or Viper with an auto in it??? I know some Corvettes have autos... one more reason I am not a GM fan.



I have, however, much to my cringing shame, come to realize that in a diesel, at least, an auto is a better choice for pure all out drag racing due to not losing any boost while the thing is shifting. But, since I only drag race for the pure fun of it and don't need to chase every 1/100th of a second, I'll live with turbo lag and shift my own gears, thank you very much



Tom

 

[DuallyDean]

Hmmm...

Could it be that I just don't care for the gear whine and vibrations that are transmitted into the cab by the gearshift? (and yes, some comes up thru the transfer case lever also, but I resist "push button systems" like Ford uses) My automatic equipped truck is far quieter than my 5-speed in terms of gear noise. Besides, I've never had the annoying "axle wrap" problem when backing up heavy trailers when using the automatic.



Seriously, modern Diesel powertrains are so well integrated (when backed by automatics) that even some big rigs are starting to run them. Aside from engine braking on downhill grades when towing, I can't think of a single situation where a manual will outperform an automatic in otherwise identical trucks. Drag racing? Nope. Truck pulling? (o. k. , this one could be debateable) City traffic? Please! Backing large trailers (or hooking up for that matter)? I don't think so. Push starting because you were slacking on battery or starter maintence? Yep, got me there!



We used to have this argument around the campfire all the time, but the fact that when people choose the driveline in their trail rigs they overwhelmingly use automatics even though they cost more has put the argument to rest.

The 4-wheeling / rock crawling scene has slowly drifted toward automatics to the point that most people opt for them unless prohibited by driveline length. The key is that people have learned how to build the automatic for the task at hand. There are few things a stick does that an automatic can't do better.



Bottom line--run what you like, just make sure Cummins is supplying the motivation!



Just my worthless opinion on a debate that will go on forever... :-{}