New guy - Dumb questions

[Headlines]

Attention all GURUS


After attending the MotorState Challange and gettting a bit of the bug I have a question

Automatic versus Standard

I know what you get with a standard set up but is there any good or bad reasons for an automatic set up if you are Going to road course or Auto course the car?

Stay tuned there are many more stupid questions coming

[Headlines]

No one ??? Bueler??? Bueler???

[deuce_454]

first of all... your question is a bit broard to say the least.. and to answer your question

Q: "is there any good or bad reasons for an automatic set up if you are Going to road course or Auto course the car"

A: Sure.. lots!

any choice when building a car is bound to be a compromise... and if you install a well built automatic with a paddleshifter and a well engineered converter its not a bad choice for a car that see the track from time to time...

but it will rob more power than a straight cut manual tranny.. and the weight of the converter will hurt your acceleration out of the slow corners becaose of the bigger polar moment of inertia..

on the other hand, a straight cut, manual tranny will suck in daily driving..

and remember, "there are no stupid questions, only inquisitive idiots"

(im only kidding) but seriously, do a search and read alittle before posting questions, noone here will mind spending half an hour helping you, bit it will have to be with a question you need answered because you are about to buy somthing or cut up your car, not just questions like "whats better turbos or blowers" or chevy vs ford

wellcome btw

[Vegas69]

You looking for a Sunday cruise or to compete?

[Headlines]

The car could be a bit of a cruiser we would like to run the beach on the weekend, and maybe a few regular car events but mostly a competition car is what I am thinking

The question was meant to be broad to get the widest realm of opinion on the subject

If there is a thread you think I should read please point me in the correct direction

I know there is a trade off in weight and acceleration
I prefer a standard transmission and don't mind it as a daily driver (our vette is a 6 speed)

Is a paddle shifter a must in an auto cross situation if you are not running a conventional stick??

does anyone run an automatic transmission in the road courses or the autocrosses ?

Is 6 speed the way to go or is there an argument for 4 or 5 speed ?

[deuce_454]

the paddleshifter is a must in my oppinion if you are running an automatic transmission on a road course or autocross...

a manual tranny works great with a stick.... especially for shorter races, for endurance races the paddles will help alittle, but thats a whole different ball game..

and weather you need a 6 speed depends on the track, your car, the engine.. the audis that won lemans all run 3 speed manual transmissions but thats a light car with broad powerband and emphasis on low weight and high durability.. and they dont have standing starts....

a heavier car with narrower powerband needs more gears.. but again depending on the track,

but you most likely wont really need more than a 4 speed if your aim is roadcourse or auto x... on the street though its nice with the double overdrive OF A T56.

an all aluminum 358 sb2 engine with a jerico 4 speed will propably be the optimum for road course car... but it will suck on the street... for a street car that sees some track use id say an ls7 with a 6 speed was the best compromise

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by Headlines

The car could be a bit of a cruiser we would like to run the beach on the weekend, and maybe a few regular car events but mostly a competition car is what I am thinking

The question was meant to be broad to get the widest realm of opinion on the subject

If there is a thread you think I should read please point me in the correct direction

I know there is a trade off in weight and acceleration
I prefer a standard transmission and don't mind it as a daily driver (our vette is a 6 speed)

Is a paddle shifter a must in an auto cross situation if you are not running a conventional stick??

does anyone run an automatic transmission in the road courses or the autocrosses ?

Is 6 speed the way to go or is there an argument for 4 or 5 speed ?

Seems to me that the cars built mainly for track use all have a 5 or 6 speed. Perhaps reading some of the threads on cars like One Lap or Bad Penny would give you a better idea of what you would need to do.