Why do we care about MPH? Probably because it is a better indication of horsepower. When I'm accelerating from 2nd to 3rd on my way to 80 or 90 mph and merging onto a freeway, it doesn't matter how hard I can leave the line with drag radials and a 3500 stall. Power to the ground is what matters then, and availability of proper gear ratios. With a six speed manual vs. a four speed auto, you get the advantage of better efficiency AND better ratio spread. With a six speed auto, at least the ratios are covered, but you are still going through a torque converter. The manual will give you better acceleration (other than right off the line).

When I finally get around to going into my engine a bit, I'd like to have enough power to go 115-118-ish in the 1/4 mile. I've not yet even taken my car to the track. But I've driven C5s and Z06s, and I know what a 116 mph-capable car feels like to drive on the street (the Z06). That is how I'd like my car to feel, in terms of power. I doubt I'll put drag radials on the car and race for pink slips on the strip (though I will go to the track). But as of now, without having a big racing bug in me, and just loving fast/powerful cars, I'd rather have my car go 12.5@117 (like a stock street tired Z06 might do) than have a high stall, drag radialed car that goes 11.9@113. Make sense?

But the real, ultimate reason is the FUN factor. @ WERM and RoMaD.

 

to get a real world idea.. just look at these cars. they're all autos. look at how many many people swap them for a idea of how often that happens.

ford lightning
SS impala (the LT1 RWD one)
350 3rdgen fbody

 

on a side note.. anyone that wants to debate trans selection for 12second or less 1/4 drag race cars is ignorant.

if you want to know WHY, go do a fuc/<ing search. you guys bitch about it enough.

 

If you have the guts/coordination/stupidity you can race an automatic Camaro as if it were a manual. You might destroy your transmission, but maybe that doesn't concern you.

1)Start in neutral, that way you get to pretend you have a standard.

2)Shift to D or 1 if you have a model year that has 1

3)When you hear the shift from 1st to 2nd (if using D) shift into 2 so it never shifts to third.

4) When you're ready for 3rd, shift to D.

5) depending on how fast you are racing to, if you want to shift into 4th, go to [D].

I've never tried this, but in theory, it works .

 

Did you not get what I meant? I meant the finish line, where I would be waiting since I made it there first (I'm talking 2 equally powered cars, 1 auto, 1 standard). Now I'm not saying that a standard can't beat an auto, but the "average" standard driver can't beat an auto.....I've seen it happen too many times (I've seen M6 LS1's running high 13's, M6 LT1's running even slower, M5 Mustangs in the 14's/15's, etc.) while my automatic, with a bone stock LS1, is pulling 13.0's consistantly. Oh yeah, I also saw a Z06 running 13.2's.

.......point being, most guys (myself included) can't drive a standard to their full potential, so even with more HP than an auto, they still can't beat the auto in a 1/4 mile race. Maybe some of you like high-speed racing, but since it's illegal basically everywhere, then I'll stick with my light-to-light setup.
...and I absolutely hate driving an under-powered car! But to each his own.

 

well I can drive a standard awesome. First time out in my old Mustang and I got its best ET.

Just takes a few practise launches is all. Once you off just rip through the gears. Its not rocket science.