does any one know which type has done the best at the challenge? I am getting older and an auto box in traffic is nice but the 5 spd is nice playing too. My challenge cars always spend time on the street .
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June 18, 2011 8:25 p.m. stan_d Dork
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June 18, 2011 8:34 p.m. Vigo Dork
The only thing i could even reasonably call a rule of thumb is if you plan to drag race a car with a lot of power without using slicks, auto is easier (perhaps not BETTER).
Other than that, it REALLY depends on your application. Many motors only have certain transmissions easily available to them, and if those auto choices are bad because of durability concerns, it's hard to make up for that.
Also, some kinds of engines cant make enough of their power at low rpm to be reasonably quick without an unstreetable converter stall rpm.
I would say tell us what cars/motors you are thinking about and you can get a tailor-made response.
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June 18, 2011 8:59 p.m. donalson SuperDork
i'm building with a slush box... mostly because thats what I had and the manual shift options are either much weaker than the auto option or will suck up 1/4-1/2 the budget :(
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June 18, 2011 9:21 p.m. WilberM3 Dork
the cherokee XJ-R is an autobox. i haven't felt it's a problem, and i'm actually liking the shift-less left foot braking it allows too.
i'd build a challenge car the way you want it for after the challenge if that's a build consideration and just enjoy it at the challenge. of course the specific automatic in question may heavily sway an opinion...
besides, in the years i've been, the winners have been $2006 v8 rx7 -auto, $2007 cheaparral -auto, $2008 crx -manual, $2009 crx -manual, and $2010 v8 miata -auto (manually shifted).
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June 19, 2011 11:24 a.m. stan_d Dork
I am building a small block chevy with a turbo in 240sx. Coupe
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June 19, 2011 1:13 p.m. integraguy Dork
As has already been said, it depends on the engine. Having owned several cars with automatics, and with 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines, I can't say categorically, but in general, avoid a 4 cylinder with automatic. A 6 or an 8? Doesn't matter and will probably be faster with the auto.
The only 6 cylinder/automatic cars I haven't been thrilled with (but because they were bought for their reliability and NOT "tossability", I didn't care) were Mopar 6 cylinders. I had a few of the old flathead 6s that were like trucks, pulled decently with a manual but were real dogs with auto and a slant 6 in a '69 Valiant that was a real tank for the abuse it took and still kept going....but not real fun to drive.
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June 19, 2011 1:34 p.m. mthomson22 New Reader
I autocoss an automatic Miata and love it. Mine does have some minor valvebody mods and a Level110 torque converter which do help with shifts and getting the most power to the ground.
I'm getting mentally ready to start a similar thread, so I'll be watching the suggestions here very closely.
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June 19, 2011 1:50 p.m. eastsidemav HalfDork
stan_d wrote:
I am building a small block chevy with a turbo in 240sx. Coupe
Unless you get a good deal on a T56, I'm thinking auto might be the best route. A World Class T-5 might do the trick, but you'd have to baby it.
