Performance Mods.

[zoL]

I have an automatic, and I was wondering if it's even worth it to buy some performance mods.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

most aleros are automatic........

all of the 3400 V6 Aleros are
and the 4-banger's manual trans are pretty rare.

[[ion] C2]

manuals impress high school kids, automatics win races

saw that quote from someone's 02 Camaro FQuick page lol

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

^ true. when it comes to drag racing, it's hard to get a shift as fast as an auto shift with a stick. it's possible, but very difficult.

[DaRockwilder]

From a performance standpoint, its not as big a difference anymore I don't think, because back in the early 90's there was a much larger difference in the final drive ratio than there is now. For example, the 3T40 I had in my '92 Achieva had a 3.06 final drive ratio. The 4T45E in my Alero is 3.91. Thats a BIG difference, and you can really notice it.

In the early 90's the Getrag to have was the one with a 3.94 Final Drive. I think after a few years they started making them more common. Today, the final drive ratio for the M86 is still 3.94. So the final drive ratios are so close between the auto and the manual, that it doesn't matter anymore.

When you compare the gear ratios per gear, however, the 5-speed car will be quicker. How much quicker depends on the driver. You have to factor in shifting. With an automatic car, its foot to the floor and it shifts at the same time, at the same speed, every single time. There are even boxes that plug in to the harness to the transmission that increases line pressure for even firmer shifts. It would be interesting to drag an Eco auto Alero and an Eco 5-speed alero and really see how much the difference would be. I predinkt (I didn't spell it like that) not very much at all.

You can't get a stick with a six, so there's really no point in comparing them.

[antichrysler]

^Agreed. One thing to add though is that the newer automatics are at the point where you can get 5spd, or even 6spd. Even the aleros never had these transmissions many modern cars do.

As for Alero 5spd vs Alero auto; I don't think it's much difference if any. When I was buying my car I test drove a 5spd and it didn't seem any different from the automatic 4 cylinder I drove.

[DaRockwilder]

Originally Posted by antichrysler

As for Alero 5spd vs Alero auto; I don't think it's much difference if any. When I was buying my car I test drove a 5spd and it didn't seem any different from the automatic 4 cylinder I drove.

Do you mean that in terms of it pulling harder off the line? The 5-speed car *should* feel a little quicker due to the ratio of 1st gear, but, when you hammer an auto car you get all your power right now. You gotta let the clutch out properly on a 5-speed car to get off the line fast. Sure you can dump it, but then you just spin. You really gotta know how to drive it. If you don't do that then I suppose the auto would feel faster.

[jackal2000]

Originally Posted by DaRockwilder

From a performance standpoint, its not as big a difference anymore I don't think, because back in the early 90's there was a much larger difference in the final drive ratio than there is now. For example, the 3T40 I had in my '92 Achieva had a 3.06 final drive ratio. The 4T45E in my Alero is 3.91. Thats a BIG difference, and you can really notice it.

In the early 90's the Getrag to have was the one with a 3.94 Final Drive. I think after a few years they started making them more common. Today, the final drive ratio for the M86 is still 3.94. So the final drive ratios are so close between the auto and the manual, that it doesn't matter anymore.

When you compare the gear ratios per gear, however, the 5-speed car will be quicker. How much quicker depends on the driver. You have to factor in shifting. With an automatic car, its foot to the floor and it shifts at the same time, at the same speed, every single time. There are even boxes that plug in to the harness to the transmission that increases line pressure for even firmer shifts. It would be interesting to drag an Eco auto Alero and an Eco 5-speed alero and really see how much the difference would be. I predinkt (I didn't spell it like that) not very much at all.

You can't get a stick with a six, so there's really no point in comparing them.

not its not. unless you changed it its 3.05 and gagt is 3.29.

[luckilero7]

Well I had the auto 3600 and yeh if u floor it at the right time the pull is good and dont have to worry about much timing off the line, foot-wise where as my manual camaro not always the greatest off the line mostly due to wheelspin or just a horrible start but pulls great and i can control when i shift for different pulls and i can downshift it at cruising speeds to really pull. But modding wise always a good idea!

[DaRockwilder]

Originally Posted by jackal2000

not its not. unless you changed it its 3.05 and gagt is 3.29.

Sorry, I forgot to mention I've got an Ecotec. Since Its a 4-banger it got a better gear ratio.

I wonder if both ratios can handle the same amount of torque? I would think it would be a good upgrade to go to the Ecotec trans if thats the case.

to answer your question yea its worth it dude

[zoL]

Alright, thank you guys so much. I hear tons of people bitch about how much better manuals are, etc. I guess they think their penises are bigger because they drive manuals? And I'm going to save up money and destroy the car, in a good way.

^^^^ he he

[Spilner521]

Originally Posted by DaRockwilder

Sorry, I forgot to mention I've got an Ecotec. Since Its a 4-banger it got a better gear ratio.

I wonder if both ratios can handle the same amount of torque? I would think it would be a good upgrade to go to the Ecotec trans if thats the case.

Also could be that your Ecotec has the 4T40E and not the 4T45E like you mentioned. The 3400 has the 45E.

The difference between the auto and manual isn't just the final drive ratio, the clutch and torque converter work differenty at transfering engine torque to the transmission. When the clutch is engaged, it's directly connected to the crankshaft (via the flywheel) and therefore doesn't waste any energy from the engine sending torque from the crank to the transmission. The torque converter has turbines (or vanes) inside of it that fluid gets forced through to turn. Instead of being directly connected, there's that layer of fluid going from one turbine to another which transfers torque from the crank to the transmission. Since this takes a small amount of extra energy, the manual will put out a slightly higher wheel horsepower number than an automatic. But like what was said before, putting two identical cars against each other with the only thing different being the transmissions, unless the person driving the manual was almost perfect at launching and shifting his car, it would be a very close race.

[DaRockwilder]

Thats what I thought too, but then I read something online that said I had a 4T45E....