I've got a built A4, 2500. The trans is built to handle 650hp. Since I've got it I gone to the track 2x. once N/A, the other sqeezing.
A problem has occured in the trans which is repetitive but is going to get fixed.
A friend of mine has a 383 AFR LT1 w/ a 6sp. The 6sp has been rebuilt by some old school guy and has been going fine so far. My friend has been to the track. He's been dropping the hammer at about 3500rpm. Dont think he's been sticky tires. His 60' have been 1.7's.
The car is not tuned yet and running flawlessly. Its for sure seeing 425+hp to the fly easily.
My car has just got bolt ons and has served as an occasional track car but mostly daily driver.
Whats the pro's & con's to switching (street driving, drag racing)?
Daniel
94Z28 A4, bolt ons, built trans, 2500 st. 100shot spray-removed.
14.3's @ 99pmph

 

Do a search dude. Has been asked a billion times.

 

I say do it, the fun factor outweighs any cons to it, IMO. It was east to do and was SMOOTH driving. I love the 6 speed.

 

Its really a personal prefrence. I love driving a 6spd. If I was going to build a track only car for consistancy, I would go auto.

 

There is definitely more of a fun factor with an M6, plus they usually yield lower e.t.s However, a properly built automatic can have no problems holding its own with a manual. If I was in your shoes and I already paid the money to have my 4L60E built up,then I wouldn't spend any extra dough to do a M6 conversion.

 

You see I spent just over $2000 for the transmission and 2500 stall converter shipped from Florida to Cali and have it installed by a friend on his back (he knows his sh**). People hear that and they all say its a great deal.
I actually dont go to the track that much anymore. Its always for fun anyway.
For the conversion, I wouldn't have to pay anything. Originally, before the auto was built/bought I was gonna go 6sp. Then the same friend backed out.
My friend bought his 6sp thru a junk yard for F-bodies, then it failed, and was rebuilt for free under a 90 day warranty. Since then, no problems but its not his daily driver-he has the 383 in it.
Dilemma continues.
Daniel

 

2500 seems low. 3200 is more like it :-D. Stay auto. They are really under rated.

 

I haven't looked back since, and 6th gear is nice on the highway, expecially with these gas prices.

 

My only worry is that his 6sp will fail, and it will cost money to have someone "inspect it"; but then again I dont know if one can just inspect these things or they have to be road tested? Im sure a trans rebuilder would know what to look for.
This car is fun for the track when I go, but with these gas prices, the track is the last place to go, even to watch
Can one imagine 6th gear with 2.73's out back. The motor would probably labor and 5th gear would be my last.
So what I can tell, 6sp are fast and fun, great for highways; autos are under rated but when it comes to racing, are consistent as hell.
The only thing people say they hate is traffic with the 6sp. Otherwise not.
Am I missing anything?
Daniel

 

Generally with a 6 speed car, you'll fry the clutch, break a driveshaft, bend a shift fork, or break the rearend before the trans actually takes any real damage. They're really tough transmissions.

 

Yea you only really have a problem with a fully built clutch (McCloud Twin Disk), 12 bolt rear end, and lots of power (like 600+ whp) then you start messing up the internals of it.

 

I see what you're saying.
Today we dyno'ed his car and it made 400rwhp. The guy that rebuilt it said that my friend would not be able to break it.
So I think the trans would be fine. Maybe the auto is a better choice. I dont want to keep pouring money into it. With a 6sp, clutches wear out. That sucks but a fact of life.