AT Vs Stick. (Again) Who would win in a race?
AT Vs Stick. (Again) Who would win in a race?
Hi. I own an '05 LS automatic G35 coupe. Premium package only. That means 17 inch wheels, and no sports suspension. Ok. So my question is this. If I was at a red light, and my exact same car (except stick - so it would have the 19s and sport suspension) then how much would I lose by?
* I read in a magazine (I think C &D) that an '05 coupe - stick does a quarter mile in: 14.4 seconds and an '05 sedan - stick in: 14.7. So I'm guessing that my car will due something around a 14.4 -14.7 quarter mile but leaning more towards the 14.7 because my car's an automatic. Right?
* Btw, I also read that the '04 coupes do 14.2 quarter miles, and the sedan does 14.6. So I guess the '05's are slower, but I don't mind b/c I really dislike the interior for the '04's (IMO) and I love my car's color.
* I heard that in some cars the automatic is faster then stick, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case in G35s. And supposedly brake-torquing works very good as well? Wouldn't I have a faster reaction, because my foot is already on the accelerator? And I don't think any average human can shift faster then a computer. So it would be the extra power that would beat me? But don't I have a little more torque to make up for it?
I know it's a driver's race, but assuming it was the same driver, how much would I lose by? I would win, dead equal, half-a-car, a full car, more then a car?
* = Other random stuff
As you can see, I have been thinking about this for a long time. I guess, I could just find a manual version of my car to race, but then I don't know how good of a driver he would be, and there might be so many other factors. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks.
* I read in a magazine (I think C &D) that an '05 coupe - stick does a quarter mile in: 14.4 seconds and an '05 sedan - stick in: 14.7. So I'm guessing that my car will due something around a 14.4 -14.7 quarter mile but leaning more towards the 14.7 because my car's an automatic. Right?
* Btw, I also read that the '04 coupes do 14.2 quarter miles, and the sedan does 14.6. So I guess the '05's are slower, but I don't mind b/c I really dislike the interior for the '04's (IMO) and I love my car's color.
* I heard that in some cars the automatic is faster then stick, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case in G35s. And supposedly brake-torquing works very good as well? Wouldn't I have a faster reaction, because my foot is already on the accelerator? And I don't think any average human can shift faster then a computer. So it would be the extra power that would beat me? But don't I have a little more torque to make up for it?
I know it's a driver's race, but assuming it was the same driver, how much would I lose by? I would win, dead equal, half-a-car, a full car, more then a car?
* = Other random stuff
As you can see, I have been thinking about this for a long time. I guess, I could just find a manual version of my car to race, but then I don't know how good of a driver he would be, and there might be so many other factors. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks.
in my honest opinion.. id have to say the winner would be who slams on the gas first
theres other factors to it as in the road conditions, driver, blah blah blah, but long story short; theres not enough of a power difference as to notice the other car pull away by a large distance, if anything else, id have to say majority of AT G35 drivers would win due to the lack of skill needed to slam on the accelerator (or push up on the MM), but there are many skilled MT drivers out there that can get quite a nice launch against the AT, giving the MT driver a slight advantage, plus MT has a better final gear ratio compared to the AT, but like I said, its a driver's race.
theres other factors to it as in the road conditions, driver, blah blah blah, but long story short; theres not enough of a power difference as to notice the other car pull away by a large distance, if anything else, id have to say majority of AT G35 drivers would win due to the lack of skill needed to slam on the accelerator (or push up on the MM), but there are many skilled MT drivers out there that can get quite a nice launch against the AT, giving the MT driver a slight advantage, plus MT has a better final gear ratio compared to the AT, but like I said, its a driver's race.
depends on the driver, and if they can launch well. But most likely the at will get blazed by the mt by more than a couple car lengths in a 1/4 mile if the mt driver is decent. If the mt driver can shift and launch well you are gonna be frustrated. I believe like the best AT stock coupe 1/4 mile auto was like 14.2, whereas there are mt's runnin high 13's, but that pretty extreme. Thats why my at has been pissing me off, I thought I would be able to live with it, but every moment of the day Im tryin to figure out how to trade for a 6mt. BTW anyone for a trade? 05 AT fully loaded minus aero and spoiler w/ clearbra
(DG/stone) 2k miles MINT; looking for an 05 w/ low mileage 6mt black/black.
(DG/stone) 2k miles MINT; looking for an 05 w/ low mileage 6mt black/black.
Last edited by greenery; Oct 13, 2005 at 05:09 AM.
Get a Valve Body upgrade and high-stall performance Torque Converter, will improve your 1/4 mile time anywhere from .5-1.2 second. The TC alone will improve your launch. Another mod, 3.5 Final Drive for auto, convert your 5 Speed Automatic gearing to the 6 Speed Manual Gearing.
VB upgrade: Level 10, Stillen, SGP.
TC upgrade: Edge Racing
VB upgrade: Level 10, Stillen, SGP.
TC upgrade: Edge Racing
Ok theoretically, if God was in the 6mt and God (being that he can be everywhere at once, lol) was also driving the 5AT, the 6MT would win, every time by 1/2-2 cars. Being that not ever driver on the road can drive a 6MT to its true potential, it comes down to whos driving, how theyre shifting, etc.
If you had someone who was very good at driving an auto (is this an oxymoron?) and someone who didnt know how to shift that fast, powershift, launch, etc. my hat gets tipped to the AT. Then again, every so often you come across someone who is trained/experience with a 6MT and you'll see the true advantages. I've beaten cars that run high 12's/low 13's (claimed by driver, not like I can ask for a slip at a light) that were MT's simply because (and not to sound arrogant) I can powershift very, very fast. Then again, I've come across people who are that much better and can do the same to me.
Every race has its variables, and every race has a winner and looser, it just depends on the skill of the MT driver (I'm sorry but I've always compared "racing" and automatic to point and click).
If you had someone who was very good at driving an auto (is this an oxymoron?) and someone who didnt know how to shift that fast, powershift, launch, etc. my hat gets tipped to the AT. Then again, every so often you come across someone who is trained/experience with a 6MT and you'll see the true advantages. I've beaten cars that run high 12's/low 13's (claimed by driver, not like I can ask for a slip at a light) that were MT's simply because (and not to sound arrogant) I can powershift very, very fast. Then again, I've come across people who are that much better and can do the same to me.
Every race has its variables, and every race has a winner and looser, it just depends on the skill of the MT driver (I'm sorry but I've always compared "racing" and automatic to point and click).
I'd "guess" it's going to be pretty equal.
The 6'sp has more power to begin with - less drivetrain loss/higher RWHP. But if you're racing from a dig, the rims really play a huge role. 19" rims have more unsprung weight, and more importantly (and especially when launchnig) the rotational mass would require more work for the rims to spin one full circle compared to your 17". An extra 2" in diameter make a world of difference in drag racing.
Also "on paper" the auto has more low-end torgue than the 6sp, right? My guess is you have a slight advantage right after launch and in 1st gear, and then 6spd would slowly gain back and inch away from you.
A slightly better than average driver can still shift faster than an automatic, unless you're betting on one mis-shifting into the wrong gear. But if I beat someone only because he mis-shifts, I wouldn't feel any pride in beating him either unless we do it again and I beat him at his best.
The 6'sp has more power to begin with - less drivetrain loss/higher RWHP. But if you're racing from a dig, the rims really play a huge role. 19" rims have more unsprung weight, and more importantly (and especially when launchnig) the rotational mass would require more work for the rims to spin one full circle compared to your 17". An extra 2" in diameter make a world of difference in drag racing.
Also "on paper" the auto has more low-end torgue than the 6sp, right? My guess is you have a slight advantage right after launch and in 1st gear, and then 6spd would slowly gain back and inch away from you.
A slightly better than average driver can still shift faster than an automatic, unless you're betting on one mis-shifting into the wrong gear. But if I beat someone only because he mis-shifts, I wouldn't feel any pride in beating him either unless we do it again and I beat him at his best.
Last edited by coolsk8er; Oct 13, 2005 at 06:32 AM.
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From: So. Cali - Rowland Hts
6MT owners are convinced that they are faster.
5AT owners are convinced that they are faster.
As a 5AT owner: The 6MT will be slightly faster but IF and ONLY IF the driver knows how to shift, and does so perfectly, which gives the 5AT the advantage of consistency. Personally, I thought the 5AT fit this car better. If I was getting another manual car, I would have gotten an EVO.
5AT owners are convinced that they are faster.
As a 5AT owner: The 6MT will be slightly faster but IF and ONLY IF the driver knows how to shift, and does so perfectly, which gives the 5AT the advantage of consistency. Personally, I thought the 5AT fit this car better. If I was getting another manual car, I would have gotten an EVO.
Why is it that only 5AT drivers keep asking which one is faster? Yes, not all 6MT drivers are perfect, but we enjoy our cars and couldn't care less if an auto is faster than us. Some 5AT owners constantly need reassurance.
Originally Posted by Finiti35
Why is it that only 5AT drivers keep asking which one is faster? Yes, not all 6MT drivers are perfect, but we enjoy our cars and couldn't care less if an auto is faster than us. Some 5AT owners constantly need reassurance.
Originally Posted by Sumlime311
it depends on what year you are talking about. but the AT tranny changes gears much faster than a person could change gears in a MT
Originally Posted by Sumlime311
it depends on what year you are talking about. but the AT tranny changes gears much faster than a person could change gears in a MT
Btw an 05 6MT isn't faster than an 03/04 in the 1/4 mile.
Last edited by Finiti35; Oct 13, 2005 at 01:48 PM.


