Auto vs Manual

ten[A]cio[U]s · 19-09-2008, 12:08 PM

I got a quote today for around $2600 to strengthen my auto and stall it. I find this pretty extensive and this has opened my eyes to other options.

I am now in my mind comparing Auto vs Manual. I have driven manual sixes and dear god there more alive the the POS sluchbox in my car at the moment. Im not happy one bit with my gearbox.. Its sloshy, unresponsive and outright boring. The only time you can give it a bit of a poke results in a bit dropping back to first, making a lot of noise and going nowhere.

I have been in a stalled AU but never driven one. I have no idea how they behave or what the act like. I also dont know if its worth spending this much money on an Auto gearbox and probably not enjoying it as much as a manual. I always enjoy driving manuals..

How much would it cost to convert an AU fairmont to manual?

Is the a place that can supply an entire kit?

How does the spedo and everything work with the different type of gearbox?

What do insurance companies have to say about it?

Just a few questions that are running throuhg my mind.

Cheers, Matt.

MADED-6 · 19-09-2008, 12:59 PM

i am actually converting mine to manual within the next month i hope.
i am doing it because i dont like auto either to me they are boring and they shift when it really isnt needed as in they go back to 1st when they can hold 2nd and just rev then change straight back anyway.
and yeah stallies are alright except when u just want to plot around town.
just look out on ebay for a kit for a 6cyl au i think i saw one on there the other day.
cheers josh.

XR6_4EVA · 19-09-2008, 02:10 PM

I wreckon a strengthened auto with a decent shift kit and a decent diff ratio say 3.89-4.11 then a flash tune to sharpen the works up, would have you hammering the auto along pretty happily.

Topped off with a stally, nothing outragous, 2500 or similar, would be one fun auto

But thats just me, i like autos...

GK · 19-09-2008, 02:52 PM

Manual is a lot of fun for sure, but can become a little tiresome in peak hour traffic.

I've got a 3:7 diff and find that's really good, especially for overtaking. I've also head a few people say that this ratio as well as 3:9 goes really well with the auto.

Here's what I suggest.

Do the diff with a 3:7 or 3:9. This isn't wasting money, as you'd do that anyway with the manual set up.

Evaluate, you may be pleasantly surprised!

If that's not enough, go the manual.

All the best with your deliberations.

GK

Mr Hardware · 19-09-2008, 02:56 PM

Manuals are fun, for about 20 mins a week
The rest of the time they're just plain effort.
Keep the auto i say.

StealthAu · 19-09-2008, 03:01 PM

Manuals are a great substitution for power, a 1989 toyota coralla is fun to drive if it's a manual.

XR6_4EVA · 19-09-2008, 03:16 PM

Manuals are fun, but when you allready have an auto, its much easier to work the drive train a bit for some added fun then hauling in a manual.

Once you have a manual in there and you get over it, its a bit of a pain to go back to auto true?

At least if you arent happy with the mods on the auto you can head back to stock again.

XR8 Uterous · 19-09-2008, 03:34 PM

Just go the manual and worry about the other questions later. If you want a manual, then convert. People who like auto's will say keep the auto, people who like manual will say convert.. Do whatever you want to do!

IMO, manual is more fun, and living where we do, traffic isn't a major hassle at all..

**Stav** · 19-09-2008, 04:05 PM

The manual six au will put ot 10 more rwkws than an auto. In manual form I would have come home with 180rwkws on my dyno sheet.1st gear in manual is really toey as opposed to an auto. A manual can be dumped of the line at whatever rpm you want.An auto has a relatively fixed stall speed . The manual in Sydney traffic would be busy work.The auto is more comfortable to drive there.
The manual needs clutch replacements which involves removing the box.A good auto needs a new filter and some clean fluid.It also helps to have a tranny cooler.This will extend the life of the auto box.

If you and dad come visiting in Sydney you can have a little drive of mine.It gets up alright with its 2500stallie . It all comes down to preference in the end.

XR6_4EVA · 19-09-2008, 04:23 PM

You have to remember that since you have been driving that auto for a while, switching to the manual is going to be hell exciting at first, you just have to make sure you are goign to be happy with it further down the track.

What about trying to sell a car thats had a manual conversion done to it, bloody hard to find someone that trusts it.

Cam · 19-09-2008, 05:07 PM

Firstly, is there a reason that your spending that kind of coin building an auto? I am assuming this thing has to handle some serious mumbo? Or just the fact its "boring"?

Seeing as there seems to be nothing overly "wrong" with your auto, i suggest a 2500ish stall, shift kit, and some 3.9 diff gears. Especially if it is a daily driver.

Manual is more fun, thats for sure. But remember that the T5's are not the strongest box in the world, and the fun of snapping gears, heel toeing, dumping the clutch will be lost once 3rd gear is gone..

I love manuals, but i say, stay auto..

**Stav** · 19-09-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

Firstly, is there a reason that your spending that kind of coin building an auto? I am assuming this thing has to handle some serious mumbo? Or just the fact its "boring"?

Seeing as there seems to be nothing overly "wrong" with your auto, i suggest a 2500ish stall, shift kit, and some 3.9 diff gears. Especially if it is a daily driver.

Manual is more fun, thats for sure. But remember that the T5's are not the strongest box in the world, and the fun of snapping gears, heel toeing, dumping the clutch will be lost once 3rd gear is gone..

I love manuals, but i say, stay auto..

I have to agree that 2600 dollars sounds a bit rich.Shop around..

st33l3y · 19-09-2008, 08:01 PM

Matt, I'll give you a drive of my XR6 at the next meet if you want to help you make up your mind. I think you'll go the manual.

burnz · 19-09-2008, 08:55 PM

every body will say a manuel has more KW's
but an auto has more NM's
get your rearend in a tuff auto, then you will say slow manuel's what good are they.
from power house boxes like, powerglide, torqueflite, C10, FMX, turbo-350-400-700, lenco.

StealthAu · 19-09-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnz

every body will say a manuel has more KW's
but an auto has more NM's
get your rearend in a tuff auto, then you will say slow manuel's what good are they.
from power house boxes like, powerglide, torqueflite, C10, FMX, turbo-350-400-700, lenco.

FMX?

your a clown, thanks for the laugh.
Anyway as I was saying earlier, a tough auto isn't much to get excited about if there is nothing of substance infront of it.

burnz · 19-09-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

FMX?

your a clown, thanks for the laugh.
Anyway as I was saying earlier, a tough auto isn't much to get excited about if there is nothing of substance infront of it.

build a motor then talk !!!

BLACKAUXR8 · 19-09-2008, 09:35 PM

i just converted mine to manual a month ago... I would have to say put a manual in it!!!

StealthAu · 19-09-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnz

build a motor then talk !!!

I have owned a few other cars prior to the current POS.

In a past car, which wasn't much to talk about either, after the second rebuild I swapped the FMX for a C10, in my opinion the FMX doesn't rate as a "tough" box.

private9 · 19-09-2008, 09:42 PM

After doing a significant amount of driving in a manual in the last year, and then driving an auto for the last few weeks, for me personally it's still a manual all the way.

I do appreciate the auto, but manual is so much more fun IMO.

burnz · 19-09-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

I have owned a few other cars prior to the current POS.

In a past car, which wasn't much to talk about either, after the second rebuild I swapped the FMX for a C10, in my opinion the FMX doesn't rate as a "tough" box.

fmx/trimatic both will handle 800nm very well, tougth enougth for me,
as for the other's 1000+nm no prob.
perhapse you confusing a stallie for a box.
when the stallie fail's it takes the box with it.

MADED-6 · 19-09-2008, 11:00 PM

yeah i drove my manual ed for 2 1/2 years and hated it (well thought i did) now i drive my au and i hate driving the auto as theyre just so boring and mine has a stally and a shift kit.
thats the reason i am converting mine to manual.
cheers josh.

**Stav** · 19-09-2008, 11:13 PM

Just drive one of each. The auto also has a torque multiplier built into the stall convertor. Manuals do not.

dreadly · 20-09-2008, 12:01 AM

Bro if ya want a manual get one

being from wagga there's hardly what you call major traffic.... Heading from kooringal to say estella would be fun.... I love driving in wagga when i come home to visit the family Go a manual

MrXr6Tickford · 08-10-2008, 11:23 AM

This is sort of revelent to this thread.

My mate has a 5speed ef/el manual sitting in his garage doing nothing.

Would this bolt up pretty much with no problems?

Is it the same T5 thats in the au?

RG · 08-10-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrXr6Tickford

This is sort of revelent to this thread.

My mate has a 5speed ef/el manual sitting in his garage doing nothing.

Would this bolt up pretty much with no problems?

Is it the same T5 thats in the au?

No, the rear extension housing on the AU T5 is longer making the shifter position different.

**FTE217** · 08-10-2008, 12:14 PM

Auto vs Man, it all comes down to where you live,what type of driving you do 90% of the time, how much driving you do per day.
Being your in Wagga certainly traffic isn't a issue don't need auto imo, bugger all traffic.

The Mighty Red · 08-10-2008, 03:34 PM

I'd stick with the Auto but thats just cos I'm old

py:

XR Lita · 08-10-2008, 03:46 PM

I am converting my XR6 to manual. I have never had an auto car, and after 18 months I am over it. Going back to manual.

superroo · 08-10-2008, 03:56 PM

In my manual, i will cover around 400-500km a week. Driving into the outer CBD in melb each day (hawthorn), so i have to deal with stop start traffic.
In my 3 years of doing it, i have only twice wished i had a auto. Once when i was badly hung over, and the other when i was extremely tired.

Personally, once you get used to a manual, it all becomes second nature, and it all fades away. Clutch weight and notchy box i don't notice unless i think about it.

Then the benefit is that when you want to have some fun, the car really comes alive. You really have to drive it, it's awsome.

And if you get bored in traffic, 1st gear launch's or 2nd gear foot down runs entertain you enough. :eclipsee_

Cheers

[EDIT]1000th post

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Mr Hardware · 08-10-2008, 04:08 PM

In my old manual, i would cover about 300-400km a week. Driving into the outer CBD in bris each day (northside), so i had to deal with stop start traffic.
In my 2 years of doing it, every single day i wished i had an auto. Once was when i got damn tired of doing the shifting myself when some excellent invention would do it for me, the other times were the same, every day.

Personally, once you get used to a manual, all the fun will be gone, and it becomes a chore.

Then the benefit is that when you want to have some fun, the car really comes alive. You really have to drive it, but its so damn rare that it just ain't worth it imo.

And if you get bored in traffic, too bad! You still gotta shift even if you dont want to!

Cheers

[EDIT]655th Post.