Ok, soon i will be buying a fourth gen. f-body, that'll defginately have an LT1. It will probably be a 94 z28. I have 2 that i'm really interested, but one is a manual and one is an automatic. Both are about the same price and have about the same miles. Ive never had a manual car but have driven one before. What are some pro'
s and con's between the two?
Any suggestions?

I think i'll have more fun w/ the stick, but also think i'll "feel" various mods that i put on the automatic car. Am i right?

So which should i buy, the auto. or stick?

Thanks

 

DEFINITELY THE STICK CAR!!!! They are more fun to drive, they are more apt to mods like cam and gears. Their re-sale value are usually higher. You can go really radical with the cam and not have the kinds of adverse problems that the AUTO cars encounter. CONS, clutch replacements can be frequent depending on your dirving styles, but you can "bite the bullet" the first time and just install a MCLEOD STREET TWIN CLUTCH SETUP and NEVER have to worry about a clutch change out AGAIN!!!! The clutch setup cost $800-$1100, depending on which version you choose, either the STEEL FLYWHEEL, or the ALUMINUM FLYWHEEL version. It is rated to hold 1200 HP at 7500 RPM's . HTH's

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88 Monte SS 355 TPI/LT-4 HOT CAM/AFR Hydra-rev/ T-56 6-Speed

 

Can't think of any can's for the stick.

The only pro I can come up with for the auto is if you intend for your GF to drive it instead of you...

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."

 

Since I own both, here is the real scoop. And if you are wondering which I prefer, that's easy ... BOTH! Because someone in the know, knows that both have advantages and disadvantages (and you must respect that), it's just what are you willing to put up with.

Manual:
Pluses -
1) It is fun "rowing throught the gears" through the curves.
2) YOU select the gear you want to be in.
3) Quicker E.T.s
5) May get better MPGs
6) Manuals weigh less
7) Don't have to worry about stall speed
8) Don't have to worry about changing converter with new mods.

Negatives -
1) Rush hour traffic + HD clutch
2) It is easier changing the auto trans fluid than the clutch
3) You'll never launch as hard as an auto
4) Clutch kit cost more than a shift kit, tranny fluid and filter.
5) Missed shifts
6) Eating/drinking while driving and shifting is a pain

Auto:
Pluses -
1) Just drive, no worry of shifting (especially in traffic)
2) Drinking/eating is easy (especially on long trips)
3) You can cut better 60' than a manual
4) You are more consistent than a manual
5) Even your grandma can drive it if necessary
6) Cool remote start features

Negatives -
1) May need new stall speed based on mods (PITA)
2) If higher stall speed is used, you'll need to keep the trans cool
3) E.T. (MPHs) aren't as good as a manual
4) Never know when you might down shift unexpectidly
5) Heavy a$$ sucker
6) MPG aren't as good
7) rebuild is very expensive

You should select a transmission based on how you are going to use the vehicle. Are you going to commute in heavy traffic (like me in my '94, I prefer the '84 for this , but the '94 gets the MPGs I need), or do you live close to work and can tolerate clutch use? Do you drag/road race alot? All these questions (and more) will decide what tranny would suit you fine.

------------------
George P. Lara
Z28s Owned:
1984 "L69" A4
1994 LT1 M6
Member: SCCA, SCFB, SC3GFB
Camaro Info: MadMike's

[This message has been edited by MRZ28HO (edited December 28, 2000).]

 

The only thing I have to add about the manual is, if you do the work yourself go to advanced auto (western auto) and buy a clucth set from them when the old one goes out. They give a lifetime warrenty on it. Thats what I did. Then you won't worry about have to buy another set again.

 

Well, my GF drives a stick herself.
So, no worries there.

Ok, my traveling to and from school is on a highway, and my traveling to work only has like 2 stop signs and a red light.

But, wouldn't i "feel" various mods more w/ the automatic rather then the manual?

I guess i dragrace more, actually just the frequent meets w/ the ricers at red lights, so what would be better?
I also like the auto. better then manual, because ricers always think there faster because there car is a stick, well i wanna show those retards that a stock z28 auto. is still faster then there modded ***** stick.

Any other suggestions?
Thankx

 

Autos are cool at the track because you don't have to worry about missing a shift, holding a gear to long, etc... Plus, its real hard to shift a manual with a beer in your hand.

But then sticks are real fun to drive. If you are real good and consistant, they are just as good if not better at the track though. Just emabarrasing when you stall it at a redlight. If you never drove a stick before and will be learning on the Z, set aside some money for a new clutch, you may need it by the time you have mastered it.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

If you like driving mildly pick the auto, but if you like racing go with the stick. You can rebuild a standard easyer than a auto. I have an auto, and a 4 speed.I way prefer the 4 speed.

 

You just answered you're own question. An auto suites you more than a manual, since you like drag racing and don't do alot of curves/mileage. Yes, you would probably feel the mod's more with an auto (especially TQ converter). Take my '94 as an example, I just installed headers and it feels the same (although spins the tires easier). But I will never be able to feel the "bolting of the line" of the auto.

[This message has been edited by MRZ28HO (edited January 01, 2001).]

 

Who says? I can have my auto out, tore down, fixed, put back in and be going down the road in a Saturday, w/o taking shortcuts.

When you work for GM Warranty you learn fast. I put a reaction shell in a '99 Sierra in two hours, from the time I pulled it in, till the time I filled it back up with tranny fluid. That included tranny R&R and partial dissasembly. Heh, after a while, you know exactly what tools you need and exactly what does and does not need to come apart, so I guess I don't count.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

[This message has been edited by GMTech (edited January 01, 2001).]

 

Any other suggestions,replies?

Thanx

 

Gmtech, Wanna Come To my house and Hang out a bit ?



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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Livin' the Stereotype

 

I'd go 6 speed. There is no weight advantage to the 6 speed; the T56 and the 4L60E weigh basically the same. But the 6 speed is more fun to drive and puts more power to the ground.

------------------
91 Trans Am WS6
Bright White
5.0 TPI auto
Flowmaster 3" 2 chamber catback
Trans Go shiftkit
2000 stall converter

Built on Wednesday

 

who says you can't drive the auto like a manual? i have a 3 speed auto and just shift it myself.

thadd

 

Any other suggestions?......pro's and con's?

 

I know I few of you my not like my comparison but here a go. My g/f has a 94 mustang gt man trans with 4:10 gears.(I'm getting to the point) I have a 1992 camaro auto with 3.43s and I would take my auto over her manual because of these simple facts. 1. Her's is a Ford 2. Not only is it a ford, but it is a mustang. 3. Shifting gears with a heavy clutch in traffic gets old fast. 4. I would play around to much and cops don't like that. and the final thing is that you can not drink a beer, eat a hamburger and feel up on your girl with a manual. Just my 2 cents.

 

Any other suggestions?

Pro's and Con's?

 

I currently have an automatic tranny in my '86 Z28 and have gone with heavy duty parts on the rebuilt. It has a shift kit(home made)for some real firm shifts and that alone prevents wear on your tranny. Let me tell you I have smoked alot of the newer Camaro Z28s. But then again I have 3.90 gears on the rear along with a new posi and new axles. My first gear ratio is, tranny and rear together = 11.94.

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Big 454 '86 Camaro Z28 '72 Nova w/454 BBC

[This message has been edited by Big454blockchevy (edited January 06, 2001).]