6MT vs 7AT and the Track/Auto X

Endgame

FLAME SUIT ON!!!

I know the 7AT is faster in a straight line and all... But, which do you think would be better/faster for the track or AutoX??

The CaymanS PDK best the MT on the track, but what about the Z's 7AT? Will it best the 6MT on the tracks??

I would really like to hear from those who may have tracked a 7AT.

Sorry for another thread like this. PLEASE let's keep this mild and civil as I really would like this input versus having the thread locked! If I looked over another thread discussing this point, just point me in the right direction.

THX ALL!!

kannibul

7AT would best a manual in that situation for a few reasons.

1) More gears = more ratios to keep it in the best range for delivering the most torque/hp.

2) It shifts faster than a manual.

280z/300zx

Not sure what others do but when I auto-x I keep it in second the whole way and never change gears because there is no need. With me I know that auto or manual it wouldn't make a difference as it would be in 2nd gear in both cases. For longer track use such as road courses I can't say as I don't have any experience with it.

shabarivas

... Dont want to go there... but although 1 might be semi-accurate. 2 certainly is not... maybe its faster than your grandma w/ the 6mt but I doubt it

kannibul

It (7AT) shifts faster than the 6MT, when viewing the entire process...ie, let off gas, drop clutch, shift, enguage clutch + gas...

The whole process is faster.

blinkme323

I can see the AT edging out the MT in a 1/4 mile race, but not around an actual course/track. There's just not enough control with the AT for it to beat even a semi-competent MT driver. Not a knock on the AT, but that's just how it is.

kannibul

I guess it'd depend on the track.

Even then the margins would be pretty small, I'd imagine.

Red370

Professional drivers do something called a clutch-kick shift, its a quick stomp of the clutch, pull gear through neutral, release and gas simultaneously, this can be done in a fraction of a second, so the "Auto is faster" debate is unfounded. Hell even I can do it, and im not exactly a professional, a little bit of practice and it can be done.

btw, here is a simple example, the music is kinda gay, but you get the point...

right around 4-500 milliseconds..

__________________
2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

370Zsteve

Thanks for that, Red. I also read, in Car & Driver I think, that they had issues with the 7AT not wanting to drop down 2 gears when requested. I can't see how the 7AT could best a manual on the track with a competent driver.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

theDreamer

280z/300zx is right, I also read a review about the auto in a auto x event and they felt neither 2nd or 3rd really felt like the perfect gear where with the manual they could slap it in 2nd and be happy.

I guess it depends largely on the course and your driving habits.

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kannibul

Couldn't this be due to (or be resolved by) changing the FD ratio?

(reference to the FD Ratio for the 7AT is different than that of the 6MT)

theDreamer

It could be, but I have not done much research yet on changing the FD ratio yet.

__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Red370

also gentlemen, keep in mind, the auto tranny's temp will skyrocket during prolonged track use, you'd need an expensive transmission cooler. Not needed for the 6MT. And I agree, depending on the track, you can pretty much stay in 2nd the whole time. Also keep in mind that the auto isnt a twin clutch setup like the Evo's.

__________________
2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

kannibul

Who said anything about twin clutch?

As for an "expensive transmission cooler" - either the auto has one, or, it's not that bad...considering.

Red370

I made a reference to the twin clutch for the simple fact that the twin clutch doesnt overheat like an auto tranny will. During auto x events, the transmission is under constant load, and overheating and inefficiency will occur. Its ok to defend your car, but the OP wanted honest opinions, and I gave mine.

__________________
2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs