G0NEn60 said:Yes, in some cars, especially the LS1 Camaros, the automatic is your best bet for 1/8 and 1/4 Mile times. Not necessarily because its faster in which some cases it is, but mainly because of it power handling. Not only are they more consistent, but the automatics tend to be able to handle much more torque than the manuals. It's also a lot easier to launch and put power down with stall converters. However, when racing from a roll or on the street, you will probably fair better with a manual. Coming from the inport side, the automatics are usually about 1 whole second slower in the 1/4 and sometimes in the 0-60mph. Don't forget the lower gas mileage and the cost difference when something goes wrong. With the way top level racing is headed and most manufacturers eventually a manual won't even be an option. I just hope that they do give us the choice of a real paddle shift system, not the BS we're offered in most cars today. Basically they're the same automatic they've always produced, they just put a slapstick in place of the standard R P N D 1 2 Lever . I will always own and drive manuals though. Not only is it more fun, but I like to autocross, street race, and the total control is much more important to me.
WHAT??? The auto is only close to being faster in an fbody if it has an aftermarket high stall converter. You guys are very misinformed about the fbody. The manual t56 is an incredible transmission and can handle gobs of torque.
To the comment that autos were faster int he old days is completely untrue. Manuals were. Its not until lately that autos have come into their own. They have been used in drag cars for consistancy not speed. When you have 700hp, the .5 seconds does not matter as much.