View Poll Results: Manual Vs Automatic
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll
Automatic VS Manual
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
2x^^^^ ...Run of the mill new cars and trucks is like driving.... a toaster.
I am required to get a biennial emissions test here in Tax-ifornia... the technicians are always surprised to find that my daily driver PT Cruiser has a man pedal.
I am required to get a biennial emissions test here in Tax-ifornia... the technicians are always surprised to find that my daily driver PT Cruiser has a man pedal.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
........but Ive yet to see a straight gear go 300+ miles an hour.....although I have seen several woman go 300+ miles an hour......in an automatic I might add! I didnt mention this earlier, but back in the early 90's I switched a 69 mach 1 351 windsor car I had then from an automatic to a top loader 4 spd. Worst thing I ever did. If I could have matched up that auto to the 4 spd side by side, that automatic would have killed it through a quarter mile.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Winter, WI
I am 50 and have owned some 15 cars and trucks all of them but 2 were manuals. I'm so used to shifting I don't think of it except for the few times I've been stuck instop and go traffic on a freeway in the cities. I think manuals are more reliable and they get a mile or two better gas mileage. But I am The only one driving these vehicles I've had, I'm sure your family and a clutch would be happier with a automatic.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Huh? Not really sure what you are referring to going 300 mph?
I didnt mention this earlier, but back in the early 90's I switched a 69 mach 1 351 windsor car I had then from an automatic to a top loader 4 spd. Worst thing I ever did. If I could have matched up that auto to the 4 spd side by side, that automatic would have killed it through a quarter mile.
If I took the stick out of my wagon(race car) and put a C6 in it, it would be a SLUG. Bet it would slow down 2-3 tenths easy. You cant eat up that much horsepower running through an automatic and expect it to go as fast as a stick. But it's a moot point trying to explain all this, so let's get back on topic.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Denver, Co
Why do you say towing is good with an auto? When Im hauling something like this..... 
I want to choose what gear I am in. This thing weighs 7500 pounds and your gonna be flooring it in an auto just to get it to move. Where as my 71 with a 360 and a 4 speed just put her into granny and she pulls away easily.
I want to choose what gear I am in. This thing weighs 7500 pounds and your gonna be flooring it in an auto just to get it to move. Where as my 71 with a 360 and a 4 speed just put her into granny and she pulls away easily.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
I also know that in 69, they did speed trials on 428 CJ mustangs through an 1/8 of a mile....autos out ran straights by nearly 1 second....right around the 103 MPH mark, both having 3.91 posi gears.
Now granted as HIO said above, straight line races=auto, road course=manual......but I dont see too many of these trucks doing road course racing.
I also love manuals, dont get me wrong, but not in these trucks. A 3 spd on the column really isnt that much fun, and a straight gear in the floor in one of these trucks is a pain for 2 people riding with you when your trying to have "fun". Now if this was a poll for mustangs, then yes, I would say straight gear all the way!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
That Mach 1 came with a 3.25 limited slip, so along with changing out the trans, I also changed out for the posi rear end, which came out of a 390 S code mustang that had been wrecked. It had a 3.50 posi gear with a close ratio top loader. Like I said, my auto would have killed it......hands down......
The wide ratio box had a 2.78 first gear which is far better for a drag racing. That and a 4.11 or 4.30 rear gear would put a serious hurting on that automatic.
It's all in the set up, plain and simple.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
For the helluvit, ya might see my low-buck bumpside lumbering through a Goodguys autrocross one of these days. But first.. let's see if I can squeeze out 20 mpg out of an FE cuz the plan is for it to have a TKO-500 (plus whatever else I can do to eke out every nth of mpg).
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
I'll explain this one. First 3.25 up to 3.50 gear is NOT an improvement. Next, that close ratio toploader has a 2.32 first gear. That also sucks for drag racing as it's like starting out in 2nd gear. That close ratio box was for road racing where the first gear is long and can be used on the track. When they were used in drag racing, the rear gears were usually 4.88 or 5.13, which more then made up for the lack of first gear ratio.
The wide ratio box had a 2.78 first gear which is far better for a drag racing. That and a 4.11 or 4.30 rear gear would put a serious hurting on that automatic.
It's all in the set up, plain and simple.
The wide ratio box had a 2.78 first gear which is far better for a drag racing. That and a 4.11 or 4.30 rear gear would put a serious hurting on that automatic.
It's all in the set up, plain and simple.
LOL, the only thing I did was basically change everything from the automatic car (took it out) and put everything from the motor back on the 4 speed car that was wrecked. So if the 4spd was as quick as the automatic was, I should have loved it, but I didnt, because it wasnt.
Also, I doubt the PO wants to put in a 4.11 or 4.30 gear as high as gas is these days.
Anyway, manuals are winning the poll so it doesnt really matter. We will see what the PO does and I hope he reports his results.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
In typical, Ford built it for the "masses", not the performance enthusiast. If you clicked the "drag pak" option, you could get some real gear(4.30/4.56) and a 4spd and that would be much better in any acceleration contest.
If not, you would have to slip the clutch(back then 2600+ lb pressure plates were the norm) til you got the motor up in the power band. Unlike an automatic that will "stall" itself and cover up the bog that comes with a stick that engages quickly.
I'm just going to say, I'll agree that we disagree in opinions and leave it at that. I just wanted to explain the reasons you stated why the stick was so slow compared to an automatic. BTW, I never voted. Conversation over.
If not, you would have to slip the clutch(back then 2600+ lb pressure plates were the norm) til you got the motor up in the power band. Unlike an automatic that will "stall" itself and cover up the bog that comes with a stick that engages quickly.
I'm just going to say, I'll agree that we disagree in opinions and leave it at that. I just wanted to explain the reasons you stated why the stick was so slow compared to an automatic. BTW, I never voted. Conversation over.