other than being able to lighten the flywheel to control more horsepower, what is the real difference between and automatic and a manual transmission.

for example, if i have a prelude engine, 2.1 1990, that has a sports shifter which enables the tranny to basically shift almost at red line and manual control from third to fourth gear, and the same engine with the manual 5 speed transmission - would one of them be faster than the other - both in stock form?

or does the automatic lose horsepower to get it to move? i have heard that chevy's lose something like 40 horse in their auto's to get them going, where the manual's don't lose any. is that true?

or is there no difference, other than the four gears vs. five gears?

 

Humans can shift much faster than an automatic transmission can. But I guess this can't really explain anything. It is a good question, lets see what everyone says...

 

Manual is faster because the transmission is generaly smaller, therefore less parasitic losses in the drivetrain.

 

He hit it perfectly. The automatic transaxle had many more parts to it, the overall weight of the moving pieces is quite a bit higher. This equals more parasitic loss, whice equals less power to the wheels.

 

Isn't there also an impeller/turbine combo in the auto that is a lot less efficient than a direct gear to gear connection?

 

Yes, you are absolutely correct. This setup is the same type of thing as the synchros in a MT, just heavier/less efficient.

 

A large reason automatic trannies are slower than their m/t counterparts are the gear ratios. Automatics tend to have much taller gear ratios & fewer gears, resulting in poorer acceleration.

Even if an automatic were just as efficient/fast as a manual, I'd choose the manual. I hate not having control over what gear I'm in. And for crappy weather driving (snow) it's a LOT safer.

To sum it up, a manual transmission is cheaper, longer lasting, more reliable, and you get more power, better gas mileage, and more control over the car.

It's a no-brainer if you ask me.

7% of all cars sold in the U.S. last year were equipped with a manual transmission. Pretty sad.


[Modified by Daemione, 2:58 PM 10/1/2001]

 

Kinda makes you feel 1337 to be part of that 7% though, huh?

 

yep, any american sports<cough> car has to be custom ordered in a MT since 00 as far as i know but itsprobably worse that that.

 

In Europe its the opposite, most cars have manual transmissions

 

Yeah, even the minivans!

 

thanks for all the input guys - a little more than i was looking for, but good info non the less. i love to drive manual tranny's, especially doing autox. i was just wondering, cause i have an automatic engine sitting around looking for a home and was wondering if it was worth it to put it into something. now i know i can put it in a car, and then sell it for sure!

 

What did you expect coming to the TECH forum of honda-TECH.com, eh??

You mean automatic tranny attached to an engine? what kind of engine? You could always do a tranny swap!

 

it is sad, no wonder other countries think us americans are lazy....there's one example




[Modified by JunkeeCrx, 3:55 PM 10/2/2001]

 

i don't think having an automatic is lazy - some people really need to be able to do as few things as possible when they are driving. i have seen people drive into each other at lights, both stopping and taking off! and nothing against blonds, but my old roommate had a very hard time driving a standard - she would have to think too hard to put in the clutch, step on the brake, shift, turn the wheel (if needed), and pay attention to the car infront of her. and when it was time to take off, she would rev the engine much higher than needed so that she could quickly get going and be able to think about everything for the next gear. not a pretty sight - i say give her an automatic so she doesn't kill someone.

 

two things MrBite (no, i am not getting defensive, just letting you know) - every time i post a technical question, i get nothing in response other than, sure, or i think so. so i wasn't really expecting everyone to have something to say - so thanks for all the info, for a change.

second - i did mean tranny attached to an engine - and it is the prelude engine. i wasn't looking for a manual tranny to go with it, since it needs to have the hydrolic components too - i don't have that stuff, and don't care to purchase it. i am actually in the process of putting this engine into a 90 accord, since it was already and automatic - now i can get more for the car, should i decide to sell it. or maybe i will keep it for a winter car, since there is very little rust on the rear quarter.


[Modified by crxplus, 2:55 AM 10/3/2001]