Automatics Are Better ???????

[DieselMinded]

Believe it or not, an automatic transmission can pull extreme loads better than a stick. Three things create these advantages. One, the torque converter provides a smooth fluid coupling that acts a lot like a shock absorber between the engine and drive train. It is good on the drive train and rear ends. 2nd, The torque converter provides an additional gear ratio of about 2. 5-1 for additional gearing beyond the straight 4 or 5 speed stick. 3rd, Planetary gear units can pull heavier loads than a main-shaft and counter gear stick transmission. Each pinion provides 3-4 teeth times 4 or more pinions, for a total of 12 teeth or more for pulling. Keep in mind that that is also in a perfect circle, so load and torque are distributed equally around. The stick transmission on the other hand, with a main-shaft and counter gear, only provides about 2-4 teeth at the most at any one time to transfer the torque and load from the main-shaft to the counter gear. Also extreme loads tend to cause these to separate, that can split a manual transmission case apart. Think about these things the next time you pull something down the road.

(Comments by a diesel and automatic transmission mechanic for over 30 years. )



Hmmmmmmm... ... .....

 

[trqmnstr]

I'm no transmission expert but I will disagree. I'll stick to my stick.

 

[DBogo]

too many things can go wrong with an auto

 

[tgbol]

There are many advantages to an automatic. The ease of driving, the load handling ability and the ability to start of on a hill with out sliding a clutch. When accellerating the speed of the shifts means less engine drop off.

That said What do I have? A six speed and I would have 15 if I could arrange it. I enjoy driving a stick. And I drive in city traffic 80% of the time.

 

[TKingsbury]

I like the fact that, as a rule, sticks don't just stop working for seemingly no reason. I'll take a stick anyday. Just bought a brandy new Volvo yesterday for the wife, and yup, it's a 6 speed! Oh yea, it has a turbo and AWD too .

Travis. .

 

[DieselMinded]

Forgive my ignorance but a puller friend of mine who pulled with an auto transmission and had no trouble at all with 500HP on a SC single disk, SK'd VB and stiffened Flex plate ... . then he got a '99 stick and I think its called a floater plate ?????



he pulled once and it was trashed went to EEP got the best you can get and pulled again ... . and it went out ... EEP stood by there product and gave him a free replacement ... ... then he pulled again it was OK ... but on the 2nd pull with his 2nd good floater it went out again... . he went back to EEP and they didnt have to but they did replace it for free ... I think the part is $100-$150 ... he has 3 pulls on the one thats in there now.



Im not sure if the week link was called a floater plate or what.



I dont know Manual Trannys at all ... .



I think this part is dianosed by the sound the clutch makes at idle or when its pushed in ????



but the point stands most stick driver bash autos all the time ... . Im just trying to bring to light that the manual transmission is not the godsend its put up to be.



My friend kicks him self all the time for landing a stick as a puller/daily driver .



Plus the added advantage in transfer pulling of shifting gears with the auto has got to account for alot ..... also drag racing.



I have an auto and I wish it was standard sometimes I like they way they sound going threw the gears and you have a more controling expirence :>



, But the question still stands are the Automatic Transmissions Superior ?



DM

 

[HOBrian]

This will get interesting :-{} I like my stick but if I had a 5ver and wanted to back it up often I would want the auto.

 

[JoshPeters]

Well by basic principals, he's right. A planetary Gearset will hold WAY more power than a regular straight cut or even hellical cut gearset. Notice when an Automatic Transmission goes out it's Generally the clutches or seals. Very rarely is it a gearset that goes, if it does, it's due to heat.



Josh

 

[nickleinonen]

what the statement is missing, is the fact that larger truck transmissions are twin countershaft [or if you want a 2,000 lbs beast, mack tripple countershaft] for the very reason to divide the torque going through the shafts and to balance the forces on them.



in light duty pickup trucks, the manual is stronger from factory. if you get one of them built slushboxes then it can hold up to the abuse a manual can. but once something starts to slip in the slushbox [band or clutch plates] it will burn very quick. with the proper clutch, a manual clutch will not slip when you don't want it to.



and if you want to see abused/overloaded manual transmissions, go to an import drag race. most have basically stock manual transmissions [upgraded flywheels & clutches] and some with turbo & n2o are making 1,000hp going through a transmissions that originally had ±150hp through it.



now in light duty trucks, i don't want an automatic myself, but if i had to get one, i'd love something that was built like the allison 6060 but on a smaller scale. 6 speeds fwd, 2 reverse. hydraulic retarder built in [hydraulic retarder is stronger than any engine or exhaust brake can ever be] with a good lockup torque converter

 

[Grizzly]

A six speed stick is always better than an auto any day of the week. You that like your auto, enjoy them and their costly repairs and those of us that like our stick will laugh all the way to the bank.

 

[DieselMinded]

Costly Repairs??



You mean like replacing 4 $150 Floater Plates in 2 mths



Not to mention the Clutch Upgrade Upfront cost .



With an auto as long as you have a Goal Hp/Tq and bomb your transmission accordinly and stick with your goal Hp/Tq then your somewhat safe :>



Can some One address the Floater Plate or atleast tell me if thats what its called.



DM

 

[C. Harlan]

A six speed stick is always better than an auto any day of the week. You that like your auto, enjoy them and their costly repairs and those of us that like our stick will laugh all the way to the bank.

Ain't that the TRUTH!! The only way to trash a stick is to try really reallly hard. . I have pulled some big nasty loads, and had the transmission temp at 230-240 degrees... No problems...



I had an auto in my 91, and as long as I have both legs, I will be driving a stick.



-Chris-

 

[Fred Swanson]

They each have their place. There are pros and cons to anything. Your going to get way too many opinions to make this a valid poll, probably.

 

[klenger]

I'm having a vision. I see this thread going south real fast.



By the way, I voted "Hog Wash", but "No" would have been sufficient.

 

[DieselMinded]

the Poll Question is not Which is better The Poll is

IS THIS STATEMENT TRUE ?

Thats All



DM

 

[JoshPeters]

OK... . Yes each have their place. Automatics have taken the place of manuals in many applications. Semi trucks for example... . The BIG Allisons are only using 6 or 7 speeds in the same applications that are using 9-13. The MASSIVE mover that moves the space shuttle... . uses automatic transmissions.



Properly built, an Automatic can and will out perform a manual. Each has it's problems. Don't say it costs more for an Automatic. The 5 speed guys have problems, Shafts just like the auto guys, and how about that nifty 5th gear nut? Clutches are spendy as well. The pulling clutches only get so many hooks or miles out of them before it's recommended you have them rebuilt, at substatial cost. I honestly don't know enough about the 6spd transmissions to say anything about them. I know they are MUCH heavier.



Everything has it's problems. Don't get me wrong, I like manual transmissions, they have their place. But if I have to make a choice, as to which is better, it'll be an Automatic.



Josh

 

[nps]

Automatics are better?????

Yes - boat anchors. :-laf



They still haven't built the computer that can figure out what gear I want to grab. All the other stuff is just fluff and filler - planetary gears vs meshed gears -



Sure I miss a gear now and then. But I can only blame myself. Auto owners blame the DC designers when it happens to them.

 

[JHerr]

I still prefer a manual to an automatic for my needs. A manual is more efficient and should offer lower maintenance costs for my light-duty needs. Most importantly, I think manual transmissions make the most of the wonderful sound of a 5. 9 Cummins diesel.



The '99 F350 work truck that I have to drive has a six-speed and the PowerStroke. I just spent another 2,000 miles in it the other week. I'd get an automatic with a PowerStroke. I always eagerly await the end of my long trips for numerous reasons. I guess that is why it is known at work as the 'Stupid Duty'.



There is truth to the statement on automatics, but I'll still order my next truck with a stick.

 

[nickleinonen]

The MASSIVE mover that moves the space shuttle... . uses automatic transmissions.

i could have swore that had diesel/electric drive on it... ???



edit: it is diesel electric...



"The Crawler/Transporter is powered by 16 traction motors powered by four 1,000 kw generators, driven by two 2,750hp diesel engines. "



edit II:



the diesels are v16 alco diesels.



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[Sled Dog]

A six speed stick is always better than an auto any day of the week. You that like your auto, enjoy them and their costly repairs and those of us that like our stick will laugh all the way to the bank.

At least until you spend ALL day driving around Albuquerque.

Then you will "Pray to the Auto-God".