Competition Automatic versus manual

[MEby]

If you built 2 trucks with everything identical, like weight, gears, tires, HP, etc, everything down to the last bolt. which truck would be faster? like in a quarter mile drag race?

 

[telliott]

The auto would be faster. Shifting manually takes time

 

[TJSHOTROD]

Read my sig

 

[CWerner]

The auto is way faster. I used to have a 5 speed.

 

[Mundgyver]

With everything the same the auto will be the winner because it can shift way faster than a manual, but if your at speed say 60 mph and stomp on it I would suspect the manual would take the auto because there would be no power loss through the manual transmission (provided no clutch slippage) as the auto would absorb some of your power and torque. With the high perfromance automatics these days, it would not be by much though.

 

[MEby]

so even with a short shift the fastest shifter couldnt keep up with the auto? Just out of curiousity, how much of a time difference are we talking?

 

[zstroken]

Really the only way for the auto to (absorb) the power is if your not in lockup. The problem with the manuals is the roatating mass of everything inside, takes some time for the synchros to work. WHile they shift nice, they are truck transmissions.

 

[CATCRACKER]

from comments i have read in the past you can expect up to 1 second slower with manuals. now for some talented people out there that can row pretty fast i think its a little closer than that but not for racing. i think banshee on DTR has a 12 second 6 speed which is the best i have heard. i have also seen a video of him in cab shifting in 1/4 and he misses a gear so i guess its not real consistant.

 

[TJSHOTROD]

The fastest time I had ran with a manual was 15 flat. My dual disk SUCKED for drag racing. The first time out with my auto I turn a 12. 9. My best time is a 12. 6.

 

[glhs]

If you built the engines identical, the manual would put more power to the ground, would'nt it? If they were built to put the same to the ground, the auto will of course be faster. How much so is up for debate. #@$%! If you only have enough power to run 15s, it would probably be a toss up. If you have enough power to run 11s, the gap will get much bigger.

 

[CStraface]

Manuals are much easier on the dyno. And I know my auto gets through it's gears much quicker then those guys with six speeds. So racing, auto. If you like to live on the dyno, manual.

 

[MEby]

I have always been a huge fan of manuals because I can make them do what I want when I want. The reason I'm even asking is because I have been toying with the idea of replacing my 3500 with a 2500 and all my friends are telling me they would go with an auto because they are either faster or less work than a manual. It was the "faster" part that got my attention. The way it is I can shift fast enough that I don't lose much boost in between gears, so there's not a big difference there. One of my friends said it also has to do with the torque coverter keeping the the engine rpm in its sweet spot. What do you guys say?

 

[Mundgyver]

For the Auto to keep it in the sweet spot for tq, it will need to be set up properly for shifting points. Different transmission builders are going to give different advise. This should make for a very lively discussion:-{} :-laf

 

[ctd8999]

Autos are much faster and more consistent. The so called short shifters are pretty much JUNK !! Thanks Steve B.

 

[bluthndr]

I have always been a huge fan of manuals because I can make them do what I want when I want. The reason I'm even asking is because I have been toying with the idea of replacing my 3500 with a 2500 and all my friends are telling me they would go with an auto because they are either faster or less work than a manual. It was the "faster" part that got my attention. The way it is I can shift fast enough that I don't lose much boost in between gears, so there's not a big difference there. One of my friends said it also has to do with the torque coverter keeping the the engine rpm in its sweet spot. What do you guys say?

If Dhawk builds it it will be better at everything than a manual. His autos did awesome at every pull I saw, and I know he has built autos for some 11 sec pickups, maybe a 10 sec also.