[Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

[Ron Porter]

You can't say "GM" and "5-speed automatic" in the same sentence. They ain't
there yet.

It isn't always an issue to keep the engine in a certain power range. Yes,
for a very peaky engine like a Honda S2000 (to use an extreme example), it
is key. For a very torquey engine with a broad torque range, like to use
another extreme example) a diesel, an automatic can do fine.

For anyone who may recall, when Porsche first produced the 911 Turbo in the
mid-'70s, they didn't put a 5-speed into it until '89, and that was from
customer bitching, as I've heard it. The original car had a 4-speed box that
had TWO overdrives. The car was made for Autobahn running, and with the
engineering where it was in the '70s, turbos worked better with long, steady
pulls without being disrupted by a gear change.

Ron Porter

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Juillerat, Aaron J
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:09 AM
To: 'shotimes@autox.team.net '
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

I don't know if the GTO auto is a 5 speed or not, but alot of the new 5
speed autos are running nearly the same times as a manual.  The new Mustangs
are advertised very close to each other also.  Being able to stay in the
peak power range with more ideal gearing is one of the major reasons manuals
are faster, but with more gears autos are starting to keep up.  Of coarse
they are also making them more efficient.

-A.J.

-----Original Message-----
From: clift@chartertn.net
To: shotimes@autox.team.net
Sent: 9/22/2005 11:08 PM
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

Oh no doubt, but as you allude its apples and oranges.  Considering it's
innate drawbacks, it's awfully hard to build an automatic that?s quicker
than a manual, last 100k+ miles, and still remain affordable.  Now the
clutchless manual Ferrari and some others have, that's the best of both
worlds..

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Mike
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 10:44 PM
To: shotimes@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

As I recall, all the top dragsters use some version of ATX.  A
purpose-built
tranny can whip a MTX, hands down.  Not to say that GM builds such a
tranny
for a street car, but it is possible.
Mike
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