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manual vs. automatic


Marcus18

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ok I'm going in the next couple months start to convert my 93 into a RWD. I have the automatic transmission out of the blazer I'm stealing axle from, it needs a rebuild though. I always liked manual transmissions because of control and the sporty factor. My dad says auto is better in drag racing. so should I:

a: do a performance rebuild and shift kit on the auto.

or

b: put a manual in it.

 

I want to get real low times at the strip say 11 or 12 secs.

which should be easier with the rear wheel drive.

any thoughts?

 

marcus

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I always liked manual transmissions because of control and the sporty factor. My dad says auto is better in drag racing. so should I:

a: do a performance rebuild and shift kit on the auto.

or

b: put a manual in it.

 

I want to get real low times at the strip say 11 or 12 secs.

which should be easier with the rear wheel drive.

any thoughts?

 

marcus

 

What!?! Automatic better in drag racing? I beg to differ. If you know how to drive a stick, a manual would own an automatic hands down (if there equal on power). Good example, went to the dragway twice, both times with a kid who drives a 98 Avenger. First time there, I smoked him, he wasnt shifting right. Second time there, he kicked my ass, he gained 5mph by the end, going from like 76 to 81, which in turn dropped his times. Both our cars are rated for 140hp, and even with a few "mods" (:lol:) he kicked my ass.

 

Bottom line:

Go with manual.

 

Only thing auto is good for is the start, you can jump the line faster, after that, you're toast.

 

my .02

 

John

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either way you go pay close atention to the gear ratios make sure you adjust your tires for the ratios steeper 1st gear and rear end gear the fast you get off the line

 

all in all do some math to see the ratios with the rear end

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What!?! Automatic better in drag racing? I beg to differ.

 

Automatic transmission ARE BETTER for drag racing!! BUT, NOT because they are "faster" but because they are more "CONSISTENT"!

 

Remember, most professional Drag Racing is competed by way of BRACKET RACING. Being consistent is FAR more important than going as fast as possible once or twice. Any drag racer would rather run this: 6.7, 6.9, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 rather than: 6.2, 8.1, 7.4, 7. 8, 5.9, 8.4 and running an Auto Tranny allows them to do so!

 

Another more minor reason is the fact that some of the Nitro dragsters accelerate from 0-300 MPH in 4 seconds, faster than any other vehicle in the world, and just think of how hard it would be to try and shift a Manual Transmission PERFECTLY when you're done the race in the blink of an eye!!??

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you have a point ^ except our cars arent Nitro cars and cant run under ten seconds. Until they start doing so, I would go with the manual unless you plan on getting into some braket racing for 15 second cars?!?

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I always liked manual transmissions because of control and the sporty factor. My dad says auto is better in drag racing. so should I:

a: do a performance rebuild and shift kit on the auto.

or

b: put a manual in it.

 

I want to get real low times at the strip say 11 or 12 secs.

which should be easier with the rear wheel drive.

any thoughts?

 

marcus

 

What!?! Automatic better in drag racing? I beg to differ. If you know how to drive a stick, a manual would own an automatic hands down (if there equal on power). Good example, went to the dragway twice, both times with a kid who drives a 98 Avenger. First time there, I smoked him, he wasnt shifting right. Second time there, he kicked my ass, he gained 5mph by the end, going from like 76 to 81, which in turn dropped his times. Both our cars are rated for 140hp, and even with a few "mods" (:lol:) he kicked my ass.

 

Bottom line:

Go with manual.

 

Only thing auto is good for is the start, you can jump the line faster, after that, you're toast.

 

my .02

 

John

 

I beg to differ.... the whole reasonong behind having an auto for drag is for bracket racing when you are not so much looking for performance as you are looking for consistency. An auto will launch and shift exactly the same every time.

 

just my $.02

 

- Justin

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you have a point ^ except our cars arent Nitro cars and cant run under ten seconds. Until they start doing so, I would go with the manual unless you plan on getting into some braket racing for 15 second cars?!?

 

Yeah I realize that, obviously...I wasn't arguing what's better with regards to OUR cars, I was trying to explain to him what his dad meant when he said "automatics are better for drag racing"...

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Well I'm sticking a rear end out of a blazer with the section of frame that attaches to it. I'm going to take all current rear parts out. Then I'm going to recess the frame section into the current unibody frame. I have a torch and welder I'll figure it out. I don't think that is the hard part. The hard part is the front steering as the transmission has to go where it is now.

I'm going to switch the steering arms around so the steering arms are facing forward if that doesn't work I'll figure somthing else out. then I'm going to notch the oil pan on the 3800 so the steering thing can go under it.

I'm planning on putting a bubble in the hood so I can put the engine as high as posible. the other thing is I'll have to take alittle bit out of the firewall.

I think I'm going to go with the auto. I can swap later If I don't like it.

I think it's the easiest. I won't have to put a clutch of anything like that into it.

 

I'm wanting to build in to be able to bring the front end off the ground like the trans am's do. :twisted:

 

crazy, but it would be really cool.

I was thinking about f-bodys but I don't like to sit so low.

gp's are comfortable.

 

 

marcus

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I want to get real low times at the strip say 11 or 12 secs.

 

Umm...if that is the case you are going to want to get a different engine. Yes the Series I L67 is a good engine, but it has a less efficient blower than the Series II (which is a major problem), and there are not very many aftermarket parts available for it. A Series II will be easier and probably even cheaper to make an 11 or 12 second car.

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ooooooooooooooo. I get it what you mean now :lol:

 

When i go dragging, i just go as fast as i can, im not in some bracket thing, and probably never will be with this pos. is that what the dial in is? I agree the auto is more consistent, thats why i owned him one day, and he owned me the next, cause he learned how to shift, while i was just stomping.

 

Again, sorry for sounding like an ass

 

John

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Instead of doing a RWD swap and wasting a bunch of money, just do a engine swap or turbo the existing motor. FWD isn't all that bad, just put in a beefed up 282 or a 284 if you can find one. I have heard of a lot of people doing RWD swaps, I have never, ever, EVER, seen or heard of one even coming CLOSE to happening. Way to much work, you will never see your money back out of it. Ever. Good luck :D

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well I'm not really spending much money.

the only expense that I see is the transmission rebuild. I have all the other parts. well I have to put out 300 or 400 to swap the engine but I'd have to do that even if I was staying FWD.

I'm going to turbo the 3800 with the supercharger.

 

 

 

marcus

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I dont think 4 second nitro cars have an auto...unless you call 1 gear an automatic.

 

Yeah I know...Nitro cars are Single-Speed automatics...in fact, that's an NHRA RULE...even if the drivers wanted to use something else, they couldn't...

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I dont think 4 second nitro cars have an auto...unless you call 1 gear an automatic.

 

Yeah I know...Nitro cars are Single-Speed automatics...in fact, that's an NHRA RULE...even if the drivers wanted to use something else, they couldn't...

 

I don't know about Nitro cars but the Top Fuel cars use clutch packs. Last one I read about had essentially 7 clutches in it. 4 engaged on takeoff, 2 at the 60' mark and the remaining clutch engaged at the 1/8 mile mark. Very sophisticated setup, very expensive I'm sure.

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don't know about Nitro cars but the Top Fuel cars use clutch packs

 

Nitro cars ARE Top Fuel!!:) Nitro-Methane is the fuel used in Top Fuel:)

 

Here's a good page that explains what happens in the 4.5 seconds of a Top Fuel race...

 

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,357253,00.html

 

It states that there's 5 clutch packs on there...

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Try this...picture your car all done...now, picture the villagers, all with torches and pitchforks and shovels, all winding their way up the hill to your door.

 

 

(humming the 70's song Frankenstien)

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WHY THE HELL DON'T YOU JUST FIND A STE 6000 WITH AWD, AND USE THAT? HELL OF A LOT EASIER AND IT MIGHT ACTUALLY WORK.

 

You find one intact and I'll do such a project.

I always wanted an AWD Beretta...

 

- Erik

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