Auto or 6 Speed?
03-30-2008, 07:12 PM
#1
Auto or 6 Speed? Please forgive me if this has already been beaten in to the ground 
I am buying a 98-02 Z28/SS or 98-02 TransAm within the next 30 days. Automatics seem to be plentiful and more affordable than the 6-speeds. I would like to save money and just jump on one of the many automatics, but I can't help thinking that I will regret not spending the extra dough on a 6-speed.
Are there some advantages that the automatics can offer that the 6-speeds cannot? Your feedback will surely help me decide.
Thanks!
Newbie
I am buying a 98-02 Z28/SS or 98-02 TransAm within the next 30 days. Automatics seem to be plentiful and more affordable than the 6-speeds. I would like to save money and just jump on one of the many automatics, but I can't help thinking that I will regret not spending the extra dough on a 6-speed.
Are there some advantages that the automatics can offer that the 6-speeds cannot? Your feedback will surely help me decide.
Thanks!
Newbie
03-30-2008, 07:46 PM
#3
You're only the 763,982,539th person to ask this question . Simple answer, get what you want. If you think you'll regret not getting a 6-speed, then forget the auto. I've had both and I'll take the auto everyday. With a good converter, it's more fun than any standard car IMO. People in the manual camp will highly disagree with me though. Pick what you want or you'll regret it forever. 
. Simple answer, get what you want. If you think you'll regret not getting a 6-speed, then forget the auto. I've had both and I'll take the auto everyday. With a good converter, it's more fun than any standard car IMO. People in the manual camp will highly disagree with me though. Pick what you want or you'll regret it forever. 
03-30-2008, 07:59 PM
#6
You're only the 763,982,539th person to ask this question . Simple answer, get what you want. If you think you'll regret not getting a 6-speed, then forget the auto. I've had both and I'll take the auto everyday. With a good converter, it's more fun than any standard car IMO. People in the manual camp will highly disagree with me though. Pick what you want or you'll regret it forever.
. Simple answer, get what you want. If you think you'll regret not getting a 6-speed, then forget the auto. I've had both and I'll take the auto everyday. With a good converter, it's more fun than any standard car IMO. People in the manual camp will highly disagree with me though. Pick what you want or you'll regret it forever.
03-30-2008, 08:35 PM
#8
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Well with a auto you can get a stall and launch on him but he will catch up to you at the end.
I have a 6spd now and im selling it and gonna get a auto with a stall. Just because i miss just pressing the gas and a stalled ls1 is not joke.
I have a 6spd now and im selling it and gonna get a auto with a stall. Just because i miss just pressing the gas and a stalled ls1 is not joke.
03-30-2008, 09:00 PM
#9
Ok, I was in the same boat as you, but I found a car that had everything I wanted except it was an automatic. So I went for it. But in the back of my mind I kind of wished I had the six speed.
Fast forward to a few months ago. I found a SOM 6 speed T/A and I could afford to buy it. So now I have both. The result? I think I prefer my automatic. The reasons?
IMO, if you're going to love your automatic you need four things: 1.) Tuning to set the shift points where you like them. 2.) At least 3.23 gears - forget 2.73's. 3.) A stall converter with good driveability - compensates for the "dead spots." 4.) A Transgo shift kit for excellent shift feel and numerous other benefits.
With your automatic set up like this, you'll get as much or more enjoyment from it than a six speed.
Fast forward to a few months ago. I found a SOM 6 speed T/A and I could afford to buy it. So now I have both. The result? I think I prefer my automatic. The reasons?
IMO, if you're going to love your automatic you need four things: 1.) Tuning to set the shift points where you like them. 2.) At least 3.23 gears - forget 2.73's. 3.) A stall converter with good driveability - compensates for the "dead spots." 4.) A Transgo shift kit for excellent shift feel and numerous other benefits.
With your automatic set up like this, you'll get as much or more enjoyment from it than a six speed.
03-30-2008, 10:01 PM
#10
Ok, I was in the same boat as you, but I found a car that had everything I wanted except it was an automatic. So I went for it. But in the back of my mind I kind of wished I had the six speed.
Fast forward to a few months ago. I found a SOM 6 speed T/A and I could afford to buy it. So now I have both. The result? I think I prefer my automatic. The reasons?
IMO, if you're going to love your automatic you need four things: 1.) Tuning to set the shift points where you like them. 2.) At least 3.23 gears - forget 2.73's. 3.) A stall converter with good driveability - compensates for the "dead spots." 4.) A Transgo shift kit for excellent shift feel and numerous other benefits.
With your automatic set up like this, you'll get as much or more enjoyment from it than a six speed.
Fast forward to a few months ago. I found a SOM 6 speed T/A and I could afford to buy it. So now I have both. The result? I think I prefer my automatic. The reasons?
IMO, if you're going to love your automatic you need four things: 1.) Tuning to set the shift points where you like them. 2.) At least 3.23 gears - forget 2.73's. 3.) A stall converter with good driveability - compensates for the "dead spots." 4.) A Transgo shift kit for excellent shift feel and numerous other benefits.
With your automatic set up like this, you'll get as much or more enjoyment from it than a six speed.
Now that's what I needed to hear!
Thanks RevGTO!
03-30-2008, 11:57 PM
#11
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+2 yeah man with those 4 things your golden. Just as good as a 6spd but not as fun IMO.
Dont get me wrong i LOVE my 6spd but a stalled launchn machine of a ls1 would be hella fun like the 6spd.
I raced my buddy that had a geared stalled long tubed A4 and id barely beat him in my long tubed 6spd. Like about 1 whole car. I would run high 12's all day hed run midto low 12's all day.
Pretty much 6spd is funner to drive around town and the auto is more fun at the teack simply becuase you would normally pull better times. Because its a stalled aut just hit the gas lol
Dont get me wrong i LOVE my 6spd but a stalled launchn machine of a ls1 would be hella fun like the 6spd.
I raced my buddy that had a geared stalled long tubed A4 and id barely beat him in my long tubed 6spd. Like about 1 whole car. I would run high 12's all day hed run midto low 12's all day.
Pretty much 6spd is funner to drive around town and the auto is more fun at the teack simply becuase you would normally pull better times. Because its a stalled aut just hit the gas lol
03-31-2008, 06:38 AM
#17
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I hate the lack of middle ground in a stalled car. IMO it's like you're in it, or you're not.
You accelerate really fast, or slowly. From a stop, you can accelerate at a medium pace sure.
But, when that person slows down in front of you to make a turn, and now you're at 25mph, you'll have to slowly accelerate unless you want to make everyone around you think you're a total ***** by making the auto down shift and shoot to 4500rpm while you pull back up to 45mph.
The way I see it is this:
How often will you be seeing the track, or street racing from a dig? If either of these is more than two or three times a month, definitely keep the auto. If this is once a month or less, go six speed and enjoy the car where you will be using it. On the street in day to day driving.
I've collected my parts and will be doing a 6 speed swap very soon. I love the auto from a dig race or at the track, I know I will be losing possible ET and 60ft, but at least I'll enjoy my car more where I do use it.
You accelerate really fast, or slowly. From a stop, you can accelerate at a medium pace sure.
But, when that person slows down in front of you to make a turn, and now you're at 25mph, you'll have to slowly accelerate unless you want to make everyone around you think you're a total ***** by making the auto down shift and shoot to 4500rpm while you pull back up to 45mph.
The way I see it is this:
How often will you be seeing the track, or street racing from a dig? If either of these is more than two or three times a month, definitely keep the auto. If this is once a month or less, go six speed and enjoy the car where you will be using it. On the street in day to day driving.
I've collected my parts and will be doing a 6 speed swap very soon. I love the auto from a dig race or at the track, I know I will be losing possible ET and 60ft, but at least I'll enjoy my car more where I do use it.
03-31-2008, 08:46 AM
#18
GEEZ
This is still such a tough decision for me. Since I plan to see virtually NO track time and love the idea of banging gears around town, I really want the 6-speed. But of course, I am seeing tons of autos on the internet and local dealers....and for a lot less than the 6-speeds. Buying an auto would surely leave me plenty money for mods and such.
DECISIONS....DECISIONS
This is still such a tough decision for me. Since I plan to see virtually NO track time and love the idea of banging gears around town, I really want the 6-speed. But of course, I am seeing tons of autos on the internet and local dealers....and for a lot less than the 6-speeds. Buying an auto would surely leave me plenty money for mods and such.
DECISIONS....DECISIONS
03-31-2008, 09:08 AM
#20
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Like performabuilt said if you want to be the fastest and most consistent get the auto. I'm in the process of switching my car from a th350 to a th400 reverse manual valvebody with transbrake. I've owned 2 - 6 speed cars and always have had either clutch or hydrolic problems at the track. They are a lot of fun to drive tho.