One Eyed Jack

I'm wondering what will accel better: A 700r4 with a shift kit OR a 5 speed manual with a smooth operator (good driver :P )

And is a shift kit worth it? I hear good and bad about B&M so I may go with TransGo unless someone tells me otherwise. Labor will be done by a mechanic, because I dont wanna mess anything up.

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1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 305ci V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

transfixleo

I am a tranny man so I am biased towards auto's. In either case optimum acceleration requires the proper rear end gears. With an auto you also need the right converter. For yours I wouldn't go too high since it is stock. 1800-2000 would wake it right up and definately go with the TransGo. As for the standard you have to remember that these get expensive to fix and if you pound on it allot you may be doing that frequently unless you get and expensive aftermarket unit.

MRZ28HO

Driver being set aside and all else being equal. I'd say the manual would accelerate faster throughout the gears in a stock to mild application. This is because the gear ratios are more closer and help keep the revs and power band in a tighter window. But since the 700-R4 has a 3.06 first gear compared to the T5's 2.95 (some models), in that respect (out of the hole) the auto would be quicker. After that, the manual will eat it up becuase the hugh jump from first to second on the auto (1st = 3.06, 2nd = 1.63). Where as the manual is not (1st = 2.95, 2nd = 1.94). Now the more modded you get, the better an auto becomes. This is becuase now you have less time to waste on shifts, here is where the auto shines (especially with a shift kit and a higher stall converter).

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George P. Lara
1984 Z28
2001 SS Coming Soon
SCCA, SCFB, SC3GFB

[This message has been edited by MRZ28HO (edited June 29, 2001).]

clemsparks

iTrader: (1)

I'll tell you one thing, The 5 speed is going to be A LOT more fun to drive! And I've had several people ask if I had a 350 in my stock '83 LG4/5 speed car. These weren't idiot's either. They were folks who should probably know. At any rate, I can't really say which IS faster, but as for the fun factor and s.o.t.p. feel, You can't beat a manual.

"I never learned to drive an automatic"

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Clem
SCCA TransAm Series Race Mechanic/CrewChief
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1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, NO T-tops, (unfortunately) Auto Transmission (hopefully not for long)

Jed

Generally speaking:

1. You will lose a bit more power spinning an automatic.

2. Automatics are heavier.

3. You will need to change the torque converter to attain optimum performance.

Also, there is a big drop between 1st gear and second gear on the 700R4. You need a wide powerband to stay in the peak power range.

The same car with a manual transmission will most likely be a bit quicker.



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Jed
89 Formula 350

ev305tpi

iTrader: (3)

I just converted my 305 TPI IROC to a T-5 from a 700 and it is definetely more fun to drive. I also put 3.73 gears in it and it honestly feels almost as quick as any stock third gen with a 5.7 that I have been in. The 5 liter/auto combo got boring really quick and I recommend the conversion it to anyone contemplating the swap.

Erik
'86 IROC-Z, 5.0 TPI T-5, Silver code 13 Glasruit paint
5 year resto
2001 New England Dragway/Camaro Heaven all Camaro show - Best in show