Automatic or manual?

Manual or Automatic?

  • Manual

    Votes: 81 50.3%

  • Automatic

    Votes: 80 49.7%
  • Total voters
    161
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Tozz

Tozz

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I have 74 Charger with a 383 60 over pushing about 550 hp. I have a 727 3 speed with a manual valve body. Should I keep the automatic or switch to a manual? I do plan on running it so the setup I have now is ideal but I enjoy driving stick and I think a muscle car like that should be manual. Another thing is if it's manual it's going to be really hard to keep traction considering the amount of power in a rw drive car. Give your opinion on which I should choose and the reason for it
 
depends what you want it for...

racing? - nothing shifts faster than a machine, so auto on the floor...

just for fun/ street .... nothing better more(((FUN))) than manual - plus it'll add more value in the end.
 
More consistent launches with the automatic less stress on parts. If you don't have a Dana 60 rear axle you will need to spend more $ on your rear end to handle the extra stress if you plan on actually hooking it up. I love my third gen Charger....

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I used to love stick shifts. In my old age, and arthritis, I can no longer row one around. I "ended up" with a TF, reverse manual valve. It's a VERY good 2nd best
 
Street car or track car? Have seen a few folks at Spokane County Raceway that can row thru the gears like they were born doing it.
 
Sounds like a personal choice to me, and something I think most wouldn't want others making that decision on.
I sure wouldn't leave that open for others opinions.

As an ice breaker first post it's as good a question as any I guess. :D
 
Automatic, hips and shoulders aint what they use to be, but I have enjoyed a few 4 speed cars in the past..
 
Auto with manual valve body. Beast of both worlds.
 
My dad used to love his '73 roadrunner 340 4 speed, it doesn't see much road anymore because its a manual. In his words "i just get sick of shifting, I used to love it, now I love my automatics and A/C"

An automatic is a good way to go if you plan on keeping the car for as long as possible, If you love the manual, go for it, but I would go for an automatic for a daily cruiser.
 
Thought provoking question. I've never lived with a manual valve body automatic, so I can't address that specifically. If I had to choose one or the other, I choose an automatic for a DD. It's great for putting about at slow speeds and stop'n go driving. I like not having to concentrate on clutch/throttle coordination and whether I have selected the proper gear. That said, I have a 2014 Dart with a 6-speed manual. For canyon carving and driving in winter mess, I prefer it to a slush box. There are no uncontrolled up-shifts or down-shifts to break traction. I can dependably start in 2d gear on ice in the 14 that the 73 & 72 I have won't do.
 
You answered your own question. You prefer a manual so get a manual. I have a bad knee and hip but I'll be damned if I let that stop me from rowing my own gears. Hell, it's good exercise for those bad joints. I'd switch to a hydraulic clutch though. It's all about the fun factor for me. Especially if this is a street car. :burnout:
 
How's your clutch knee? was asked of me months ago when the subject came up. My 4 speed is fun but....................Try driving a stick in a parade or a bumper-to-bumper cruise. It'll kill ya. (especially if you're 60) After a couple hours around town I get tired of shifting.
 
904. 2.75 first gear. Reverse manual valve body. 3500 stall. All behind 340. Barracuda street car. Would not have anything else.
 
BIG-B-Barracuda said:
depends what you want it for...

racing? - nothing shifts faster than a machine, so auto on the floor...

just for fun/ street .... nothing better more(((FUN))) than manual - plus it'll add more value in the end.
Click to expand...

What he said
 
You know you want that pistol grip 4-speed ! just go get it and be happy? I did.
 
I've been a SBM stick-man since 1970. Sure I've had some teener-autos along the way.Some with Semi-auto shift kits in them, which I liked a lot.
With a big motor like that, and a 4 speed, I think,you will be powering through the gears so fast the fun factor will wear off real quick. With the A/T, it will remain in each range just a little longer.
However, with a hi-stall, that gets old too. The auto will let you run a slightly bigger cam without low-speed problems.So, if you're running more than about 250*@050, I imagine an auto would be the way to go. I ran a 292/509 in a 360-4spd, which they say is a 248* cam. In a DD it was not the best choice I ever made. I now have a 230/549 cam, and am much happier. If you have plenty of torque down low, you may find yourself doing a lot of shifting with a stick.
If it was mine, And I was going to track it now and then, I'd put in an A518, and run a little gear in the back, depending on usage.
I voted auto.
 
toolmanmike said:
How's your clutch knee? was asked of me months ago when the subject came up. My 4 speed is fun but....................Try driving a stick in a parade or a bumper-to-bumper cruise. It'll kill ya. (especially if you're 60) After a couple hours around town I get tired of shifting.
Click to expand...

Parades are for sissies. lol
 
I like the auto with the higher HP, build it good with a hi quality hi stall and run drag radials nothing will touch it.
 
I would hate to think how boring the valiant would be with a auto. I have done both sorry I am going to keep rowing gears and grinning ear to ear. Funny how people look in the window and see that white shifter ball and smile. That does not happen with a automatic
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
Bracket racing- 727 auto
Street road,Hot Rod--Row Row-Row your gears!
Click to expand...

Kinda my feeling. My car was consistent when i raced the 904, but its kinda boring. My much slower daily driver is much more fun at the track with a stick.
 
I've always been a three pedal guy. My daily driver is a 6 speed Infiniti coupe and yes I've been in many traffic jams. Even after having a stroke that affected my left side, I continue to row the gears. Working the clutch is good exercise for my left leg. Guess I'm just old and set in my ways.
 
Consistent drag racing: 727 /rmvb- Turbo Action...
Actual fun: 833 4 SPD, Pistol Grip please..
Voted stick,FWIW.... Don't even start me, on 71-74 Chargers. Turned down a 400 Magnum 4 speed Charger for 5 bones, just because the 833 wasn't in it. (Another mistake,on my part....)
 
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