I was driving on Cicero by Midway yesterday when a CS Z pulls up to me. It was my first time seeing a Z driving next to me. I wasn't even thinking of racing him, so on the first light we went very slowly and towards the end he sped up. On the second light, I still didn't feel like racing so I slowly started off the line. Suddenly I hear the other Z's tires screeching, so I floor it as well. He had an automatic, with the 17" rims. I have a performance 6MT. In the first gear we were dead even, the moment I shifted to 2nd, I started pulling on him big time, by the time I was in 3rd, he was about 3-4 cars behind me. I never thought that the difference would be so huge between AT and MT. I'm not a very good driver, since the Z is my first manual car and I have only 5K on it. Anyways, I think it was the most fun race ever.

 

yeah, i hate automatics as well... they arent any fun...need something to do... Automatics arent all that fun.... And there's nothing cooler than a 6-speed.

 

Thanks guys. I don't want to start any flames or put down the one's that chose to have AT. I just was really surprised that wil my small skills I was able to take him by so much. BTW, I was wondering if that person posts here.

 

Don't hate AT, I am getting a AT I can't handle the very heavy traffic with a MT, I get pissed and tired to quick.

Take it easy guys!

 

screeching his tires in a auto? BS cant do that in a auto once your rolling. Did you know that the Enthusiast model also comes with 17"s in the MT? If you say your not a good of a drive you should be very close with a auto Z. I also have a 5AT Touring Z. I once raced a wrx modified. He dropped his clutch off the line he had the jump first. Had a car length up to 65. Then I started to pull on him. Do you know how fast the wrx are off the line? Mid 5s to 60 and 14sec the quarter mile.

 

The "traffic" excuse is such a cop out.....I drive in traffic all the time and now that I've been driving stick for a really long time I find it EASIER in traffic than an automatic...I just pick a gear (usually 2nd or 3rd) and leave it in that gear and just cruise..the best part is...when you come to a dead stop, you don't have to have your foot on the brake the whole time. Each to his own I guess.

 

I've seen plenty of autos break traction in first while rolling...some less powerful than a Z. One being a G35 coupe....actually have a video of one rolling out at about 5-10mph and then stomping on the gas...broke them loose like nothing.

 

My 2002 Altima 3.5 used to break traction while rolling.

 

Two things...whoever has the 6spd who likes stick because you dont keep your foot on your brake during a stop...I would hope that nobody does, becaus ejust leaving your foot on the brake will prematuraely warp your rotors.,..thats bad... I have an auto now, i just usually put it in P when im stopped so i dont roll away, and Orlando dosent have as many hills as say....anywhere in the country, but in P it uses enough brake to keep it in place...

ANd about breaking traction...with my R/T, i can EASILY break traction from a roll. And if i were to drop it into a different gear w/ OD off... big smoky show...It probably does make a difference that im on bald Kuhmo Ecsta SUpra tires...(17"), but that is so much fun to do...i think it might be easier bc its a truck, and there isnt much weight over the rear tires either...oh well

 

I'm talking about driving in rush hour traffic...you put your truck in park everytime traffic comes to a brief halt on the interstate?!?!?!

 

bro, we dont have interstate traffic what comes to a deaqd halt here, the worst i do is N, but in the Interstate, it rarely ever comes to a dead stop unlewss theres an accident, then yes ill put in into P because all i ahve to do is move a little lever up 2 inches... i can handle that so my big *** brakes dont need to be replaced because i have NO money...
but this is from somebody in Orlanbdo, im not sure where you live at, but here, it just makes sense to me the way i do it...and i baby the hell outta my truck too. If i lived in say Chicago where I-55 backs up every day...it might b different...

 

I agree, I get stuck in Chicago rush hour traffic jams all the time. Its easier for me with a 6spd. I find automatics annoying just because you have to keep your foot down.

You're still supposed to keep your foot down for "safety reasons". Like if someone was to rear end you or something (not that holding your brake would help much).

Anyways, I would NEVER buy an automatic sports car again. As much as I loved my automatic 300zx, I regretted that decision.

peace

 

im with you...i dislike automatics....Id rather have a 5 or 6 spd than an auto anyday...

 

Maybe the auto sucks for AutoX, but for drag racing it is king. I wish every day I had bought an auto in Z28.

 

man, i wish everyday that my R/T was a stick... i cant figure out how to launch it without spinnign my tires off on the road.. ro-ad heh heh heh

 

How is getting a AT a cop out Bri? It takes me 1 HOUR and 15 MINUTES to get home because i am inching a long, i can careless about your 2nd and 3rd gear, its nice to not have to worry about going 30 MPH for half a mile then anywhere from 5-10 MPH for the next 2 miles then 10 MPH for the next 3 miles and shifting every 2 seconds. But like you said, to each his own. One of my good buddies loves manuals and wouldn't have it any other way, but when you are stuck in traffic for over an hour, your legs and arms start to get wary, especially after working all day, in the end he had to get a AT cuz he said he couldnt take it anymore.

 

Could lose traction on a smooth surface. Not when the pavement is a little rough. Makes a big difference. Ive never been to a race track but I know its smooth as marble.

 

By the way..I can hit 2~3 scratches on occasion.. very small chirp.. wanna know the scary part? 2nd gear shifts at 75mph

Oh and just look around at the FASTEST 1/4 running cars.. it wasn't until recently that someone got an LS1 powered Manual into the single digits.. while we have Autos running over a second faster.. As I always tell people.. you can't shift faster than an automatic.. you just can't. Oh and for the countless victoms who were stuck looking at the rear of my car the whole race... and thought I was a manual... I apologize.


The whole Manual vs Auto issue is because typically Manuals have less of a drivetrain loss..so similar cars have less rwhp if auto. A simple rebuild of the trans eliminates that issue.
I guess maybe GM trannies kick ***...I have only been beat by manual cars with excessively more HP..never by one with relatively the same. If your worried about 1 or 2mph in the 1/4..get the manual.. you want to win and have a lower ET.. Auto