i was looking through infiniti's website and came across the g35c's specifications. this is what i found:

Horsepower
Manual Transmission 298 @ 6,400 RPM
Auto Transmission 280 @ 6,200 RPM

Torque
Manual Transmission 260 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM
Auto Transmission 270 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM

so auto's have more torque?? anyone care to comment on this and enlighten this newbie also how does that translate to the real world. does that mean an auto g35c has slightly better acceleration or something? but then again, those numbers must be peaks.

 

One way to increase the hp of an engine is to decrease the torque. Honda/Acura has played this game for years.

Bottom line, Torque gets you going and Horsepower keeps you going. My guess is the 2 will be very close in the 1/4 mile, just like the pre 2005's are.

 

But you gotta consider the torque will get eaten up by the auto tranny.

 

Why do you say that. Torque helps auto trannys far more than manual trannies because it gives you a broad powerband for the auto to take advantage of. A manual tranny can hold gears longer to take full advantage of high horsepower even if the powerband is peaky. That is why Honda's manual cars are so much faster than their auto counterparts (no torque, peaky hp) vs an F-body whose auto is just as fast as its manual.

 

that sorta makes sense cause i have an auto v6 accord. a friend of mine has a manual i4 accord and his accelerations is about the same as mine, if not better. but when we reach speeds over 80, then i see him only in my rear view mirror both cars are 6th gen accords (98-02).

 

What about the overall drivetrain loss on the AT's and gearing?

 

The autos have dynoed about 5-10hp less than the manual which indicates that the drivetrain loss is minimal between the two drivetrains. Current autos are very sophisticated and are much more efficient than previous designs. The VQ has an excellent powerband which reduces the need for extra gearing. I honestly believe a 5-speed manual would be just as fast as a 6-speed manual in the 1/4...where the 6-speed especially helps is in highway passes as you have more gears to play with (and of course gas milage). There is only a 0.3 second difference between the two drivetrains on average so the manual is still faster but not by much.

 

From the CFL Dyno Day...
6MT's averaged an 18% drive train loss
5AT's averaged a 20% drive train loss

That's not really too bad considering this engine and drive train is not designed for a sports coupe. Remember, most sports coupes do not share the same engine as the family mini van...

 

Cool, thanks for the info.