The preslector gearbox

[init4fun]

Originally Posted by Telecolor 3007

1st... for the moment I don't posses a driving licence, but I hope I will get one. So I can't tell from an exactly point of view how driving a manual gearbox car is, but for me it seems hard to move the shifter and press the clutch pedal is the same time (especially when the shifter is mounted on the floor).

Hello Telecolor ,

I know when you've never done it before it looks challenging , but believe me once you get your driver's license if you did drive a manual shift car you'd be banging through the gears like a pro in a week or two's time . The thing is , ANY kind of "slushbox" (automatic shift transmission) robs power from the engine to do it's automatic shifting and a given car with a manual will be quicker than an automatic . Now I'm sure some are gonna argue that the modern automatic is very close to the performance of a manual , but that pesky torque converter with it's 12 (ish) percent slip* simply cannot deliver 100% of the engine's power to the rest of the drivetrain like a fully engaged clutch can . Look into the motorcycle world , there is not one serious "crotch rocket" (performance motorcycle for street use) being sold with an automatic transmission and those few seconds of performance lost to the torque converter are the reason why . In my opinion there is only one situation whee the automatic beats the manual ; heavy stop & go traffic jams ....


* Yes I fully realize modern torque converters "lock up" (become a straight through coupling with no slip) at a pre determined road speed , but "off the line" where seconds count the torque converter's slip is present and robbing some of those precious seconds .