[FYouGitive]

Originally Posted by The Greek

Manual transmissions allow for better control of engine function. I hope you understand that the Chaparrel was an extensively modified car and drive train. Without the extensive mods, the best trans. would be the manual. I doubt that the trans. in the Chaparrel would live much longer than one race without a rebuild. It's surprizing that no one has taken the idea of road racing with an auto trans any farther.---Chuck

Real-world experience proves a manual transmission is the favored option for "road racing'. If an automatic was "better", every serious competitor would be using one. I'm guessing the reason is more financial than technical.

I did a couple autocross events within the past month or so, driving my automatic convertible. It doesn't compare to a similarly equipped manual transmission car, but it was great fun and very much worth the time, hassle, and expense. If I were a serious, competitive "racer" (as I was up until 30 years ago), there'd be no question: manual all the way; however, if I get to choose just one car for transport and for fun, this one is close to perfect.

The Greek has it right: autos overheat and diminish fine control on a track. In a Saturday practice I ran 12 (twelve) runs of 70+ seconds each, as fast as they'd let me on the track. It took about 90 minutes from first to final. After I started to reestablish my skills, the brakes faded and everything got to a smelly hot temperature, including the rear bumper cover. Something in the mix smelled very sweet; might have been the wax on the cover.

No, a Mustang convertible with automatic isn't as light or efficient as you (I mean I) need to do championship-level autocrossing, but it is great fun, and a real challenge to perfect car control with. Fun, fun, fun.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/5...870de022_o.jpg
Photo by F. Mako Koiwai

[CobraMD]

yeah, the aod is a killer; at highway speeds too! on the way in this am (@2:45) I pass this milk truck and lo and behold headlights are coming my way! I stomp on the gas and pass the big rig like its standing still. Prob was the oncoming lights had a light bar that lit up! turns out i went from 60 to 97 mph in a hurry! Good thing I was on an ER call....

[Pyrat]

Originally Posted by FYouGitive

If an automatic was "better", every serious competitor would be using one. I'm guessing the reason is more financial than technical.

I think the automatic can be better, and that is precisely why they use them in Formula 1. You hit the nail right on the head with your statement regarding financial vs technical. An F1 transmission probably costs more than most people spend for their whole car. Still the potential exists for an automatic to out perform a manual in road racing.

My biggest problem with the Mustang automatic is its shifter. B&M is suppose to be coming out with a shifter that will go a long way toward correcting this but has put the release on hold due to their recent acquisition of Hurst.

[dawrr]

Wow I forgot about this thread.

Well, I got the Mustang GT with the Automatic like I said I would, back in early May. It took a little more time to find one that hadn't been beaten to crap.

I LOVE the firmness and quickness of the shifts, BUT it lacks "from a roll." Doesn't matter- it's meant to be driven, not raced on the road.

Like someone put it on this forum: Racing is from a dead stop.

Here's a question:
How hard would it be to put a ratchet shifter on there?

[SOHCman]

Guys,

Let us know if you hear off a new auto shifter for our S197s.

The B&M out there is freakin' UGLY.

SOHC