I have dusted a 350z 6 MT, I have dusted a coupe or two (6MT's), some autos of all three. I have lost to an auto Z. I am still stock (swapped resonator, K&N filter only). I have lost to a 5 speed altima. all of these cars are so close it comes down to who gets the best launch. not one of these cars can run the other down in less than a mile or so if the other jumps in front and makes all their shifts right.

There are many on the board who say the sedan 6MT is underrated by a significant amount (~10 hp) or the tranny is much more efficient without the LSD. Along with the 6MT's electrical driven radiator fans comes a bit more power as well, possibly 3-5 more whp than the mechanical fan would suck off the engine.

There have been some 6MT's dyno'ing stock upwards of 235 hp (stock z's get from 225-240 or so).

The 20 hp is just enough for z drivers to underestimate the sedan long enough to get their tails whooped.

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit

 

You can't get a stick coupe without the Brembo's, so that comparison doesn't work for me, unless we're comparing auto-vs-auto.

The statement above mine about all these VQ cars being so close is the most accurate.

Who really cares.

 

The choice of transmissions was left ambiguous by the original question....