4th gen Z28 question
Discussion
Americans in general prefer autos and production is geared that way. Something like 70:30 split and bear in mind the V8 is only 30% of the total production.
I think it's also to do with the fact that GM manual gearboxes are not very good. Although the 6 speeder is also used in the Monaro (which was marketed here as a performance car and we prefer manuals), even they frequently upgrade using a Ripshift. In my Corvette C5 Z06, the shifter was more an impediment than a help, even with an aftermarket shifter.
As a result, there are far more autos in the US than there are manuals (though the mags all get manuals to test).
Compared to the current Mustang, available since 2005, which has a nice shift altogether, there are far more manuals over here and I think there is now a bigger demand for them in the US.
Autos, however, give far more consistent times on the drag strip.
I think it's also to do with the fact that GM manual gearboxes are not very good. Although the 6 speeder is also used in the Monaro (which was marketed here as a performance car and we prefer manuals), even they frequently upgrade using a Ripshift. In my Corvette C5 Z06, the shifter was more an impediment than a help, even with an aftermarket shifter.
As a result, there are far more autos in the US than there are manuals (though the mags all get manuals to test).
Compared to the current Mustang, available since 2005, which has a nice shift altogether, there are far more manuals over here and I think there is now a bigger demand for them in the US.
Autos, however, give far more consistent times on the drag strip.
LuS1fer said:
Americans in general prefer autos and production is geared that way. Something like 70:30 split and bear in mind the V8 is only 30% of the total production.
I think it's also to do with the fact that GM manual gearboxes are not very good. Although the 6 speeder is also used in the Monaro (which was marketed here as a performance car and we prefer manuals), even they frequently upgrade using a Ripshift. In my Corvette C5 Z06, the shifter was more an impediment than a help, even with an aftermarket shifter.
As a result, there are far more autos in the US than there are manuals (though the mags all get manuals to test).
Compared to the current Mustang, available since 2005, which has a nice shift altogether, there are far more manuals over here and I think there is now a bigger demand for them in the US.
Autos, however, give far more consistent times on the drag strip.
Not too sure I agree with that assessment. I've seen member surveys on StangNet and Ls1tech and each time there have been more manuals than auto's out of those owners and usergroups.I think it's also to do with the fact that GM manual gearboxes are not very good. Although the 6 speeder is also used in the Monaro (which was marketed here as a performance car and we prefer manuals), even they frequently upgrade using a Ripshift. In my Corvette C5 Z06, the shifter was more an impediment than a help, even with an aftermarket shifter.
As a result, there are far more autos in the US than there are manuals (though the mags all get manuals to test).
Compared to the current Mustang, available since 2005, which has a nice shift altogether, there are far more manuals over here and I think there is now a bigger demand for them in the US.
Autos, however, give far more consistent times on the drag strip.
Also models like the Cobra, Shelby and Z06 are only available with manuals.
Afraid I don't know any production figures, so overall you might be correct in which case
but I'd certainly be intrigued to know how manuals vs auto's were produced in V8 Fbody guise.Do agree most of the really quick guys run auto's. But often these are 3 speed TH400's or similar and in many cases started out as M6 cars.
I can understand how they are more suitable for drag-racing, as you get consistant, repeatable times. I have read however, that the autoboxes are the weak point when tuning, particulalry if you choose a bigger cam and raise the revs.
I'm not interested in drag-racing and I could possibly live with an auto if it was just in a cruising car or luxo-barge but when it's a performace car.....I'll decide when to change gear
I'm not interested in drag-racing and I could possibly live with an auto if it was just in a cruising car or luxo-barge but when it's a performace car.....I'll decide when to change gear
300bhp/ton said:
LuS1fer said:
Americans in general prefer autos and production is geared that way. Something like 70:30 split and bear in mind the V8 is only 30% of the total production.
I think it's also to do with the fact that GM manual gearboxes are not very good. Although the 6 speeder is also used in the Monaro (which was marketed here as a performance car and we prefer manuals), even they frequently upgrade using a Ripshift. In my Corvette C5 Z06, the shifter was more an impediment than a help, even with an aftermarket shifter.
As a result, there are far more autos in the US than there are manuals (though the mags all get manuals to test).
Compared to the current Mustang, available since 2005, which has a nice shift altogether, there are far more manuals over here and I think there is now a bigger demand for them in the US.
Autos, however, give far more consistent times on the drag strip.
Not too sure I agree with that assessment. I've seen member surveys on StangNet and Ls1tech and each time there have been more manuals than auto's out of those owners and usergroups.I think it's also to do with the fact that GM manual gearboxes are not very good. Although the 6 speeder is also used in the Monaro (which was marketed here as a performance car and we prefer manuals), even they frequently upgrade using a Ripshift. In my Corvette C5 Z06, the shifter was more an impediment than a help, even with an aftermarket shifter.
As a result, there are far more autos in the US than there are manuals (though the mags all get manuals to test).
Compared to the current Mustang, available since 2005, which has a nice shift altogether, there are far more manuals over here and I think there is now a bigger demand for them in the US.
Autos, however, give far more consistent times on the drag strip.
Also models like the Cobra, Shelby and Z06 are only available with manuals.
Afraid I don't know any production figures, so overall you might be correct in which case
but I'd certainly be intrigued to know how manuals vs auto's were produced in V8 Fbody guise.Do agree most of the really quick guys run auto's. But often these are 3 speed TH400's or similar and in many cases started out as M6 cars.
TheMighty said:
Vet Guru said:
Euro cars came with UK lights if open the engine bay you will see GM made lights just for the UK market! Euro cars supplied in the UK have Thatcham one Alarm as standard, Headlight adjust standard in the centre console better seatbelts than the US spec. Rear fog lights molded into the rear bumper with space for Euro size number plate.
Even the Air con switchs were better in the euro specs.
Wierd that you mention alarms. Our Euro-spec is a UK car(and yes has UK headlights) which as far as we know came from Bauer Millett originally. As far as I can see there's no alarm fitted and I haven't a key fob although I have two keys etc etc. I have seen other Euro-spec cars the same with just a key and no fob, but you've now made me wonder if when I take the battery off to do some work in a few weeks the car will immobilise itself and I'll have no way to disable the alarm. Any ideas where the alarm is fitted and how to recognise if its there or not? I've had some work done on the car already which I would have thought meant removing the battery but you never know...Even the Air con switchs were better in the euro specs.
TheMighty said:
Vet Guru said:
Euro cars came with UK lights if open the engine bay you will see GM made lights just for the UK market! Euro cars supplied in the UK have Thatcham one Alarm as standard, Headlight adjust standard in the centre console better seatbelts than the US spec. Rear fog lights molded into the rear bumper with space for Euro size number plate.
Even the Air con switchs were better in the euro specs.
Wierd that you mention alarms. Our Euro-spec is a UK car(and yes has UK headlights) which as far as we know came from Bauer Millett originally. As far as I can see there's no alarm fitted and I haven't a key fob although I have two keys etc etc. I have seen other Euro-spec cars the same with just a key and no fob, but you've now made me wonder if when I take the battery off to do some work in a few weeks the car will immobilise itself and I'll have no way to disable the alarm. Any ideas where the alarm is fitted and how to recognise if its there or not? I've had some work done on the car already which I would have thought meant removing the battery but you never know...Even the Air con switchs were better in the euro specs.
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