Stick or Automatic

Jeff Lee · 10-20-2011, 01:42 PM

When properly set up, a stick is MORE consistent than an automatic.
I have been through an entire weekend at a national event with qualifying, class run offs and final round of eliminations. The ET was 10.62 to 10.64 over 3 days. Automatics retain more heat and that heat affects the engine also. A/T's are more prone to ET fluctuations due to fluid temperatures.
Where a stick car will run into problems is with those that set up the launch with a bog. Bogs are not nearly as predictable in ET. Neither is letting the tires spin because you can't control a bog or spin to repeatable levels.
And once set up properly, a stick requires little maintenance to the clutch. The question is, is the racer willing to do it the right way or his way? The two are not always equal.

And Ed Wright is exactly right..Wright! Start thrashing on that DP car when you start loosing heads up races (and it will happen). You'll love R&R'ing that pile of $900-$1200 convertors you will acquire!

10-20-2011, 01:42 PM	#5
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Stick or Automatic When properly set up, a stick is MORE consistent than an automatic. I have been through an entire weekend at a national event with qualifying, class run offs and final round of eliminations. The ET was 10.62 to 10.64 over 3 days. Automatics retain more heat and that heat affects the engine also. A/T's are more prone to ET fluctuations due to fluid temperatures. Where a stick car will run into problems is with those that set up the launch with a bog. Bogs are not nearly as predictable in ET. Neither is letting the tires spin because you can't control a bog or spin to repeatable levels. And once set up properly, a stick requires little maintenance to the clutch. The question is, is the racer willing to do it the right way or his way? The two are not always equal. And Ed Wright is exactly right..Wright! Start thrashing on that DP car when you start loosing heads up races (and it will happen). You'll love R&R'ing that pile of $900-$1200 convertors you will acquire! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX Last edited by Jeff Lee; 10-20-2011 at 01:45 PM.