[Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

[Ron Porter]

Actually, many big-cube musclecars worked better with an automatic. Best
example were the Mopars, in both 340 & 440. The Torqueflite cars were as
quick and usually quicker than the 4-speed cars. In fact, the car mags
always suggested that folks get the TF, as their 4-speed wasn't the
smoothest-shifting box. Those engines had good torque curves, and coupled
with the great tranny, it was a wonderful combination.

GS Buicks were another example.

Ron Porter

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Donald Mallinson
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 11:53 PM
To: shotimes@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

Noah,

I would hope you aren't granny shifting at the drags.  That means SLoW.

As for automatics, you will have a very hard time shifting faster than a 
60's era Torqueflight from Mopar.  Modern low to mid-price transmissions 
usually have too much self-preservation built in and computer control to 
be as fast as the stuff from the 60's.  Even the old Powerglide would be 
super fast if you had the engine and rpm to take advantage of just one 
shift per 1/4 mile(all top dragsters used Powerglides until somewhat 
recently, a lot of sportsmen racers still do).

I have the NHRA record books showing the max wedge automatic holding 
quicker ET's than the manual version of the same car.  Minor difference, 
but it is there.  This was not even a real wildly modified tranny. 

A properly set up turbo 400 shifts pretty quick.  Doesn't take a $100k 
automatic car to beat most people with a stick shift.

I like to consider that I am pretty darn good with a manual.  My 62 
Catalina would go down the track and the front end would never drop, 
usually the deciding factor between just good shifting and the best.  I 
can usually do that with my SHO, but I don't do that a lot.  I use the 
clutch, and usually lift about 1/3 off the gas just in case I miss a 
shift, my foot will be going the right direction, but I won't lose much 
power.

Don Mallinson



Noah South III wrote:

>I SOOOOOO disagree with that.  I can granny shift faster than ANY auto I've
>EVER been in, even a Porsche Cayenne.  The ONLY autos that could POSSIBLY
>shift faster than a manual counterpart are found in $100K+ cars.  I mean, I
>think you're looking at a $20,000 auto tranny if you want it to shift
faster
>than an experience manual driver.  I mean, I can shift from 1st to 2nd so
>fast I chirp the tires.....even in a 126HP Honda, and I'm not a pro by far.
>
>I'm sorry man, but that's too much for me.  99% of the Auto trannys out
>there in street cars don't even come CLOSE to what you can do in a manual.
>
>A drag tranny with a stutter box (yes I know it's just for launch, but a
car
>with a stutter box is going to get shifted REALLY fast)......well that's
>another ballpark.  <G>
>
>And I'm with Carl, there is definitely no WAY an auto transmission in a car
>as simple as a GTO is going to outdo a manual in the same vehicle.
> 
>-Noah South III
>
>P.S.....I think you just started a LONG thread Justin.......
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
>On Behalf Of Justin Schick
>Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 7:35 PM
>To: shotimes@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: [Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO
>
>It is very difficult to shift any faster than a well-tuned automatic
>transmission. If the stock converter is a bit loose (provinding a higher
>stall speed), and the gearing is right, I can definitely believe it.
>
>Justin 
>parted 92 - need something?
>
>  
>
>>>>"Carl Prochilo" <gr8sho@prochilo.myserver.org> 9/22/2005 5:34 PM >>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>The brochure for this car states that the automatic version is 1/10th
>quicker than its manual counterpart.  I find this to be an anomoly. 
>Does this make sense and can anyone explain it?
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