Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

which is better? auto to manual, or shift kit?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-01-2001, 07:11 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
 
smnitWS6TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Keyport, WA
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 98 Z28
Engine: 346 LS1
Transmission: 6 spd.
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 4.11
which is better? auto to manual, or shift kit?

You may have read my recent post about trans trouble with my 700r4, I was contemplating on what I should do. I was looking toward a six speed tranny, but I don't know how hard this is going to be to install in a factory automatic. Which would be better and which would be easier, a good rebuild and shift kit for my auto, or install a 6 spd? What do u think?
Old 10-01-2001, 10:55 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

 
Graeme'sFirebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: First one out of liberty city, burn it to the ground
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
depends.. i do lots of city driving.. lots.. and im getting tired of the manual a little.. constant shifting is annoying!

------------------
1974 Nova
350 w/ dress up items, B&M Starshifter, Flowmaster 40 series mufflers, Weld rims.

Stereo:
Pioneer Premier head unit, 2 12" pioneer subs run by orion mono amps.
In Memory of #3 Dale Earnhardt
Old 10-02-2001, 12:02 PM
  #3  
Member
 
Sleipnir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: new bern NC
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i have this same concern...fortunatly i havnt put too much money into my car, so i can either just buy a nice tranny, put shift gear in there if i need, and then sell the sob, once its got some mods to it, for way more thani paid for it (find someone lazy) and buy a manual, and just beef that up...but i love my car, and i cant beat manuals =( heh, should get one of those transmission reprogramming kits, might help ya.
Old 10-02-2001, 02:16 PM
  #4  
Senior Member

 
L98IROCZ89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Central, NJ
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 Vortech Supercharged ZZ4 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Auto is better for racing and traffic.

Manual is more fun when you want it there.

Time to choose which is more important to YOU.

------------------
1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
L98 - 350c.i. TPI, rebuilt 700R4 auto w/shift kit, Dual catalyst Monza PaceSetter Cat-Back, SLP 1 5/8 Coated Headers, 3.23 Posi rear, Hypertech chip with 160stat, MSD 6A, Under-Drive pulleys, AFPR, K&N's, !Air Box w/ Ram Air, moddified MAF, !TB Coolant, Spohn Dual Cat SubFrame Connectors, Alarm, Keyless entry, remote starter, 92 Z28 AeroWing, Brand New Paint (6/21/01)

Future: ZZ4 TPI w/EGR, T56, 3.42 or 3.73, Spohn strut tower brace and LCA's, Accell 24# injectors

1989 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport <--DEAD AS OF 9/20/01
2.8 MPFI, no mods
225,000 miles and still ticking!

More info and pics on my webpage:http://go.to/iroc-z

AOL IMer: GPA 0point0
Old 10-03-2001, 04:58 AM
  #5  
Member
 
Sleipnir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: new bern NC
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
auto is better for racing? ive never heard that. can you explain?
Old 10-03-2001, 07:51 AM
  #6  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Ward's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Simple. How many times has your auto missed gears? Manuals ar emore efficient but they require good shift timing and skill, autos shift right every time, so they are more consistent. Plus, auto's multiply torque off the line where you need it and you can get a higher stall converter to launch with more power. An auto will last longer racing, because you will go through clutches very fast dropping the clutch at 3000 rpm. For drag racing, I would take an auto over a standard any day.

------------------
1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."
Old 10-03-2001, 10:35 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
82camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: NE
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 82 camaro SC
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
What Ward said. Having a properly built 700r4 with a shift kit is way more fun and works alot better than the stock 700r4 you already have. Both auto and manual have advantages, but don't compare your sloppy 7004 with a manual--thats an a easy choice.


------------------
350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro
Old 10-03-2001, 11:00 AM
  #8  
Member

 
Ringmaster72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 350
Transmission: T56
If you are a good shifter, then manual is much better for racing. The auto robs more horsepower in drivetrain loss than the manual. The manual also has closer gear ratios as opposed the the 700 R4's very big drop from 1st to 2nd. That is whay most top times with newer camaros are done with the six speed, rather than the auto tranny.

Tim
Old 10-03-2001, 05:15 PM
  #9  
Senior Member

 
L98IROCZ89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Central, NJ
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 Vortech Supercharged ZZ4 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Yes, Ward is correct.

If you know how to drive, a manual can be just as good as an auto if not better. However, that if at the begginning of the previous sentence is a very big IF!

Even IF you do know how to drive that well, an auto will be more consistent. Autos dont miss gears and there is no error in clutch work.
Old 10-04-2001, 08:29 PM
  #10  
Senior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
Crusader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Mt. Vernon, WA
Posts: 918
Received 7 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1988 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by L98IROCZ89:

Time to choose which is more important to YOU.
</font>
Exactly! For me it was an easy choice, the 700R4 went bye bye asap! I may be less consistant with my 5-speed now once I hit the track but getting in and shifting gears again is well worth it. Do what YOU really want, if you enjoy shifting gears then go stick. If you don't care it would be easier to put in a new auto...

Jess
Old 10-05-2001, 12:30 AM
  #11  
Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
lonsal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Hacienda Heights, CA
Posts: 5,954
Received 29 Likes on 23 Posts
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird
Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 350 ci tpi
Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27
Swapped in a WC-T5. The car has a completely different personality now. I love it.

------------------
90 RS Convertible
Owner: Top-Down Solutions
(626)369-0040

http://www.sc3gfb.org/members/lonsal.html
http://www.taskerinc.com/gs3/profiles/Lon_profile.htm
Old 10-06-2001, 01:41 PM
  #12  
Member

Thread Starter
 
smnitWS6TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Keyport, WA
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 98 Z28
Engine: 346 LS1
Transmission: 6 spd.
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 4.11
i'm still debating this one, I like to shift my own fears and I'm pretty good at it, but I'm thinking it will be a lot of hassle and money to put a manual in an original auto car. I can live without the manual so I'm leaning a little more towards the shift kit auto. Which is the best shift kit, and what results have u guys had in yours?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TreDeClaw
Theoretical and Street Racing
11
06-22-2021 08:21 PM
camaro11j
Transmissions and Drivetrain
4
09-19-2018 08:49 AM
g.l.mos
Camaros for Sale
0
08-22-2015 12:02 AM
crazynights
Transmissions and Drivetrain
10
08-21-2015 06:53 AM
dhonda200
Transmissions and Drivetrain
6
08-11-2015 11:50 PM



Quick Reply: which is better? auto to manual, or shift kit?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:47 AM.