Ok heres the deal..my auto transmission went out in my car last weekend so its gotta come out either way. We have a friend who is selling a parts car for 900 bucks with full T-56, computer, driveshaft, console, everything I would need to convert my car over to a 6 speed. A good 700 R-4 able to hold alot of power is going to cost me anywhere from 2000 to 3000 dollars. With the exception of buying a new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and throwout bearings the manual would cost about the same or maybe even a little less. My main question is what would yall do if it was your car? I know an auto with a stall is better for the track but a 6 speed would just be a lot more fun to drive and play around with. I really cannot make up my mind and some input from people especially with 6 speeds might help me make my decision a little easier. What do yall like/dislike about having a manual? Any information will be helpful!!

 

got an auto, wish it is was a stick. Sometimes it gets boring driving a auto. Yea an auto is good for the track, but you arent going to be up the track everyday.. If it was a full out race car or you went up to the track twice a week then yea auto, but if you rarely go up and mostly drive around and cruise and such the go for a stick..

 

Go over to the Drivetrain forum and talk to Frank from CPT (Cahall Performance Transmissions) ... his username is 12SCNDZ. He builds full race 4L60E's for ~$1000, and they're good for pretty much anything you can throw at them. There are other builders who are very reputable as well, just Frank seems to really know those things, inside and out.

I've been driving my Z28 for over 4 years now as an A4 (with every gear ratio under the sun!) and there is no arguing that it is the best for drag racing consistancy. It's also easier, and easier to show up the guys with 6-speeds who can't drive. For day to day driving, it's great as well.

BUT, I'm in the exact same boat as you are right now. The tranny finally took a crap a few days ago, and now I'm (about 99%) decided on going with an M6. Thing is, I debated about the whole issue before I even bought my car, so it's not a "new" idea for me by any means. At this point though, I'm not doing it for a speed factor, but for the "fun" / "play" factor of it. I mean, of course I'll take the car to the track still, and maybe/hopefully hit some low 13's, or maybe a 12? ... but I've also tried my hand at road racing and it's a blast (a "blast" for the A4 too ).

I guess you gotta weigh out what you want your car to do for you ... be a street/strip car? A 1/4 mile king? Competition killer? Or is it just a weekend car?? Daily driver?

Well, my votes would cancel each other out ... I say get whatever you want!

 

hmm i would say if u just want to have fun with the car go stick have fun on the country roads if u want to race go auto

 

I have a 6spd WS6 Trans Am. Its really fun to come around a corner downshift, floor it and see the smoke rise for a whole block. It will also save you a ton of gas, especially if you do alot of highway. That sixth gear is no joke. It gets a little annoying in traffic but to me I like to be the one that shifts, not some computer. As stated above if you want 1/4 mile get an auto but as far as fun goes the stick is the way to go. I use to have a 89 IROC auto and I always wished it was stick. The biggest plus to me is that you might go thru four 700R's before you go thru a T56. Either way you go there is always pluses and minuses. I lean towards stick though.

 

manual >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> *

 

Yep, it's amazing to me that people will make fun that I drive an auto, but they are the same people that I have race three times because they miss a gear

 

If you plan on modding the tranny and interested in the best possible way to win 1/4 racing, then go with an auto.

If you enjoy shifting, and don't mind doing so in traffic, go with the M6.

Most of the people with auto's I talk to all wish they had M6's. However some of the faster guys (1/4 mile with nitrous) swear by their auto's.

Just depends on what you want.

 

You may think youre saving and coming out on top by swapping over to the manual but now your rear will become more of a issue than before.

 

Let me put it to you this way...My friend's dad has an '01 'Vette. It's a bolt on car, probably around 400 hp at the flywheel. The car is alot faster than my car but to be perfectly honest, I get bored driving it in like 5 minutes. An automatic just isn't as fun as a manual...My one friend has an '01 SS bolt on car and the trans has been completely rebuilt and has a 2,800 stall. It shifts hard as hell and faster than anyone ever could and he still wishes it was a 6 speed because even though it's fast it's not that much fun. These are the only reasons I see to get an auto:

1: You only care about going fast in a straight line.
2: You are lazy.
3: You have some disability.
4: You have serious problems driving a manual and for whatever reason cannot overcome them.

 

^^^ #1 is legitimate, but #2, 3 and 4 are funny!!

 

I really appreciate all the input guys. But I called BTE and I can get a automatic through them that will hold around 600 horsepower for 1500 bucks. So needless to say, I think for now Im going to stick with my A4. I know it wont be as much fun but I never have to worry about missing a gear when I spray and possibly blow a motor. And also, we just got it back running from the heads/cam/intake swap and I really dont want it to be down any longer than it has to be. One day Ill put a 6 speed in her...

 

You'll be wishin for a 6sp within a week

 

If the car is a daily driver or drag raced a lot I would stay auto but if it is only driven once every week or two (like mine) I like the six speed.

 

Auto with a Gear Vendors over/underdrive? 8 forward gears