Manual or Auto?

[Hydratech®]

For max E.T. and MPH I'd definitely do the auto trans. For the max street driving fun factor I'd do the manual (though I'd speculate your ride could be up to a full second slower with the manual trans if you figure a 1/4 to 1/2 second loss per shift average). Unless you're running a Lenco, or you are the power shifter from hell, no human can shift as fast as an auto trans while continuously applying power to the rear wheels, not to mention the torque multiplication factor of a nice converter. Actually it's real simple in my book, as you're running a twin turbo setup = definitely go with the auto to keep the whistlers boosting continuously and smoothly vs pounding your blow off valves to death with the manual.

There is always merit to putting an engine just about up against its rev limiter and side stepping the clutch though!

Steevo's Shrifter will help keep both hands on the wheel during your banzai blasts, which in a serious power situation is always a good thing!

[MRBoss429x]

Im new on here so Im not sure if you're lookin to drag race or road race or what. Obviously the auto is going to be ebst for draging and even possibly the twisties if set up right but shear fun factor goes to the t56. I drive an LT1/4L60 but have driven many a t56 equipped vehicle and would take that over an auto. For some reason I dont like paddle shifting though im sure its quit fun and practical.

[Steve Chryssos]

I had a nice lengthly response typed up. Instead, I think I'm gonna try to stay out of this one.
/Steevo

[907rs]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

I had a nice lengthly response typed up. Instead, I think I'm gonna try to stay out of this one.
/Steevo

Go ahead, I'm sure Jonny would like your input, Steve.

[race-rodz]

real cars have 3 pedals

[MaxHarvard]

Auto

best part... you can chirp the tires or in your case... ROAST THEM at your whim

oh yea, not to mention the cruise factor you have with an auto compared to a stick.

[bigtyme1]

Gotta say 4l80E, I'm old and my knees are older!

[Stale67SS]

Race cars have 3 pedals !! So go for the T56

[Weldon0405]

Well, I thought I knew which I was going to vite for prior to reading through this great thread; however, I realized where I stand on this matter once I was educated on what the Shrifter Kit is. I am new to the forum and do not have true race experience, but I will add my 2 cents and experiences.

Lets start with my daily driver; 2005.5 Audi A4 Quattro with the 2.0T. The tranny is a six-speed Tiptronic. The tranny is an automatic which can be manually shifted by moving the shifter to the right from the Drive position. The manumatic tranny makes cornering very simple. Begin braking, manually downshift to the gear you want for coming out of the turn, and continue on by putting the tranny back in Drive for the small stuff. I personally really like the manually shifted automatic.

I took a defensive driving course about a year and a half ago while in a DoD training course. This course was taught by a contracted group of racing instructors (I'm not sure exactly what company they work for). I thought I knew about driving until we hit the road course... For everyday life with driving in the rain and whatnot ABS is awesome, but it does not come close to holding it's own with Thresh hold braking a non-ABS car. Maybe I'm just not skilled enough with a manual tranny, but I found it much easier to make significantly better lap times with the Auto over the Manual on the courses with tons of turns. (Plus it was much easier to control the car going through the turns while being able to maintain both hands on the wheel.) And the auto we were driving wasn't even a Manumatic.

Well, like I said, I am by know means an expert on this situation; just two pennies from a newbie. I know I would have never picked the automatic over the manual until I drove a Manumatic.

[nvr2fst]

Just curious if anybody knows about Mastershift's new paddle shift set up. I think it was debuted at Sema for the "manual fanatics". Although the clutch pedal is not deleted for those who strive on the " 3 pedal way or no way" it does eliminate the manual thrashing gears through the console and putting them up at the wheel. Any thoughts? I heard it may be released some time in January. I personally like the idea of the paddle shifted auto (attributing I guess getting older or getting lazier) and twist machines product is right up there against todays auto technology, but I already have a manual 6 speed and debating on going opposite.
Dave