[Shotimes] OT: Pontiac GTO

[Leigh Smith]

An auto can shift much quicker than a manual could ever hope to, something
like .080 sec. (Definately not this way from the manufacurer). An auto can
be tuned for a specific purpose, like the dragstrip, and the consistency
will amaze you. Specific RPM, shift points, launch points, etc. The torque
multiplication is a plus, and you lose 40 lbs of rotating mass in the
flywheel/clutch, so it revs quicker and puts more power to the wheels. They
could be faster still if someone could make a decent "loose" convertor for a
good launch, that would also "lock-up" 100% to save the MPH at the end of
the drags.
..
All that said, I still prefer a stick, for the street or track. I can't
stand it when the auto "decides" it wants to shift and I didn't want it too.
Whether I just wanted to hear the SHO motor rev on the street, or because I
was at the limit in a corner on a race course and any shift at the apex
might make me lose traction and spin off into the weeds, or I just wanted to
try some different launch RPMs at the drags. Manuals are much more flexible.
And then there is the driver involvement / enjoyment factor.
..
But for a properly tuned, dedicated drag car, a stick car would have an
almost impossible time consistently beating an automatic. But most stock
street cars are so biased to "smooth shifts" that the stick car is faster,
mostly because it can be launched at a higher rpm.
..
But now with so much electronics involved almost anything can happen. It's
heavily program dependent. The stick GTO is pretty castrated with the stock
traction/stutter control. It kicks in way too early, like on a moderately
firm, 2800 rpm granny shift. I thought someone yanked 2 plug wires!!  I like
electronics that enhance driver involvement, not ones that are intrusive and
take away from it. Now where is that off switch???
Lee

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Juillerat, Aaron J" <aaronj@autojectors.com>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:08 AM
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
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes