Both the A4 and M6 have their pro's and con's.

M6:
Pro's:
- internals can handle more power when stock
- stock gearing (3.42's) is better than autos
- closer internal ratios are better than the A4
- less drivetrain loss = more rwhp
Con's:
- more room for error - poor launching, slower shifts
- factory clutches die about the same time factory A4's die!
- M6's are much harder on the rear end than A4's

A4:
Pro's:
- consistancy - even a smart monkey can get an auto down the track!!
- ability to stall
- gear changes are cheap, and the A4 is easier on (stock) rear ends than the M6
Con's:
- heavier than the M6, and kill rwhp
- in stock form, they die too soon
- big spread in RPM's = big drop, especially 1st to 2nd

The thing is, an A4 can be built to take the same abuse, or more, than the M6 can take. At the same time, add a stall, and change the gears in the back, and you'll out-run M6's all day, and the factory 10-bolt might even hold together for awhile too! But it all comes down to personal preference really.

 

Autos actually weigh less.

460.9 lbs - LS1 (5.7L) Manual with oil and flywheel
405.5 lbs - LS1 (5.7L) Auto with oil and flexplate

Source - http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/weights.htm

 

Really? Interesting. I guess I didn't give the flywheel and clutch credit for that much extra weight?

 

U will loos!

 

WT_?

 

Automatics are better IMO.

 

I was old school in my thinking before I got my (now sold) '95 Z28. I wanted an M6 in the worst way but they were almost impossible to find. so I settled on an auto with 2.73 gears. LAME. I drag raced it alot and it was actually damn fun to race. What was funny was if my first run was 13.61, then every other run would be right there. It was so consistant it was unreal, BIG change from the Manual cars i drag raced thru the years. I just put a deposit on a '94 Trans Am tho and it has an M6.....the auto bored me to tears on the street. I vowed never to get one again unless I was building a race car.

 

Bingo! I've done multiple 13.08x runs with my car (I mean 13.081, 13.083, etc.) and a couple seperate occasions at the track, I ran 105.8x mph more than once! You can't beat the consistancy of an auto.

BUT, I totally agree with you about the (lack of) fun factor with an auto on the street. I'm kinda pi$$ed that we blew the 4-speed in my Dad's '73, and that it's now going to be an auto car as well! (but I'm looking forward to racing it and getting better times than we were getting with the 4 gear).