Standard vs. Automatic - HELP ME DECIDE

[69BBody]

My DD is a stick and I wish my Coronet was too.

 

[Sonny Black]

sonny says 3 pedals are more fun than 2

 

[440beep]

My daily work driver is a manual with a Spec III, 6 puck clutch, and short throw shifter. I can shift this car like no one's business. Two of my Mopar buddies have 4 speed cars (383 and 440) and I cannot drive these cars to save my life, miss gears, can't short shift, or down shift at that opportune moment. I blame it on that broom handle of a shifter, or maybe I just need more practice. But it is awesome listening to the motor wind up between shifts. But the same can be done with my 727, just sounds a bit different.

But I do love the Cope Racing 727 in my Super Bee.

 

[The Rebel]

Thanks guys for all of the help / advise, I really appreciate it!

 

[Ranger16]

To my way of thinking, if it's a muscle car it has to be a 4 speed, they're just more fun to drive. I wouldn't even consider an auto when looking for my '69 Road Runner, but then that's just personal preference.


"Does a 383-4bbl or a 440 engine make a difference as to how the clutch / gears engage? Perhaps a 383-4 is easier to learn on instead of a 440?"
Never drove a 440, but I can't imagine it shifting any different with the same trans.

 

[PRND21]

You should also consider the whole drivetrain package and what you consider fun. A 383 with a huge cam, 4-spd and 3:23 gears, or an automatic with a too tight or too loose convertor can turn into more of a chore than fun.

 

[The Rebel]

Thanks. As far as the engine looking for stock factory.

You should also consider the whole drivetrain package and what you consider fun. A 383 with a huge cam, 4-spd and 3:23 gears, or an automatic with a too tight or too loose convertor can turn into more of a chore than fun.

 

[PRND21]

Good luck, I hope you can find what you're looking for.

 

[The Rebel]

For the guys that have automatic's have you used the shifter to run thru the gears like a std?

 

[747mopar]

For the guys that have automatic's have you used the shifter to run thru the gears like a std?

Absolutely.... when running it hard I'd drop it into 1st and put the pedal to the floor slapping the shifter at 6,000 rpm for 2nd and 3rd. A good ratchet shifter that prevents shifting more than one gear at a time while locking out reverse makes it even more fun.

 

[The Rebel]

Now THIS is what I like! Got a pic of your set up?

Also, love your T. Jefferson quote!

Absolutely.... when running it hard I'd drop it into 1st and put the pedal to the floor slapping the shifter at 6,000 rpm for 2nd and 3rd. A good ratchet shifter that prevents shifting more than one gear at a time while locking out reverse makes it even more fun.

 

[747mopar]

Now THIS is what I like! Got a pic of your set up?

Also, love your T. Jefferson quote!

I've switched to a 6 speed standard since then but just had a B&M Quicksilver mounted in the console. I really like the Quicksilver for it's simplicity and ease of use, instead of pulling triggers or levers for the lockout you just lift on the shifter knob. I'll dig around and see if I can find a pic.

That's one of my favorite quotes, if only people understood it they'd be more reluctant to just roll over for the Gov.

 

[Cranky]

Stick for me thank you and with a T handle. For some reason I was always good with them too. A lot of people think an auto is faster but if you have the right setup and are coordinated, the shifts should sound just like an automatic with no engine wind up between shifts. Today's autos are pretty dang good but you still have that juice coupler between the engine and trans. You can launch a 4 speed at 4500 (or at just about any rpm you want) and still cruise the local street scene without having to worry about overheating your auto running that 4500 stall with all the slippage it brings. Years ago when I was running Fords, I ran someone through 3 gear and when we stopped he asked if I was running a C6 or C4. Told him T10. He had to look in the car to see for himself. That's the best compliment a stick guy can get!

 

[440beep]

Of course, but my Bee is a column shift and sometimes I've gone from 1st to 3rd, or 2nd to N. A reverse manual valve body would fix that, but then everything is a shift, and if you forget to downshift to 1st at a stop light, you're starting in 3rd. DOH!!

For the guys that have automatic's have you used the shifter to run thru the gears like a std?

 

[mr. b]

I like sticks my truck is a stick and my car is a stick I just like to shift

 

[Sonny Black]

here......even Little C likes pulling gears

 

[Speedbird]

Maybe you will find an auto car you like with no drive train and build your own?
Good people here in that case.
http://www.brewersperformance.com/
One thing about a manual car. If you starter fails, just have your buddy start pushing.
Try that with a voodoo science slush box.
I would vote for manual for your purpose.
That being said, my daily driver is a 904 lock up and I like that.
On the positive side, if you do go auto, you will have one of the best ones ever made.

 

[moparedtn]

After 40+ years of driving an average of 30k miles a year, I concur with what many are saying here.
I learned how to drive on a manual; they come natural to me. I've never had to replace a clutch from wear. Honest. Even had a 5.0 Mustang I bought new in '88 that I owned for 250k miles. Sold it with the original clutch still in it, worked fine.
Even my tractor is a manual.
That being said, my daily drivers have all been automatics for the last 20 years or so. Hell, I ain't a masochist - in traffic and such, sticks become a pain in the ***.
Case in point - we were invited to participate in the local 4th of July parade this year in the GTX. Honored, we went - and I suffered the whole way (my GTX is a 4 speed).
Summary for this old man:
Autos for daily grind.
Stick for fun times on the weekend and open road.

 

[PRND21]

Of course, but my Bee is a column shift and sometimes I've gone from 1st to 3rd, or 2nd to N. A reverse manual valve body would fix that, but then everything is a shift, and if you forget to downshift to 1st at a stop light, you're starting in 3rd. DOH!!

That's why pushbuttons are so cool!

 

[PRND21]

Maybe you will find an auto car you like with no drive train and build your own?
Good people here in that case.
http://www.brewersperformance.com/
One thing about a manual car. If you starter fails, just have your buddy start pushing.
Try that with a voodoo science slush box.
I would vote for manual for your purpose.
That being said, my daily driver is a 904 lock up and I like that.
On the positive side, if you do go auto, you will have one of the best ones ever made.

You CAN push start an early cable shift 727!