They make such nice combo kits for installing a manual, and they should for six grand.
Automatics have sticks, too, and the only thing standard about a manual is the fact that it was the base model option seemingly forever. Nowadays, the manual isn’t the standard, and in many cases, the automatic doesn’t even have a stick. The new Camaro is most popular with an automatic, as is the new Challenger. The Mustang always favourably wore three pedals well, but the new Shelby isn’t even going to have it on the option sheet.
Have you ever driven an underpowered vehicle with a manual, then the same thing with an automatic? The manual always felt faster. In all honesty, automatics do perform well on both the street and strip and in a lot of ways, a good automatic is better than a good manual. I can’t remember who said it but I do remember the context: When talking about drag racing, the swap from a four-speed manual to a two-speed automatic was good for a run a fraction of a second faster, that felt about two seconds slower. Not only does the automatic shave off time, but it also shaves off excitement. For the people who don’t care about fractions of a second, there’s no better feeling than side-stepping the clutch pedal and almost breaking everything. The bang-and-jerk of an old four-speed can’t be replicated with any fancy shift-kit or ratchet shifter. The clutch pedal is as much fun on a deserted street as it is a nightmare on a packed one. We’re not talking commuter traffic here. We’re talking about cars for people who change their tires as often as their oil.
I’ve often kicked around the idea of putting a manual back into my Pontiac project. When I bought it, there was a 343 Saginaw installed. Three-speeds, first gear syncro, cast-iron case, and strength to take about 200 ft-lbs of torque. In theory, throwing double that at it with really slippery tires would let it last until it broke, at which time another one could be picked up affordably. As long as space wasn’t an issue, a three-speed collection would be necessary, hoping that the same parts don’t break each time. Stock car guys have done it forever. The Borg-Warner Super T-10 is probably the top-shelf four-speed that could be found used, but even then, I’ve seen the cases physically explode on highway launches with 400 ft-lbs. So what options are out there for someone on a budget? There’s literally nothing. I have no idea why the automatic was an up-charge item for all those years, because there’s a lot of components that make them work, each one expensive. How expensive? Based on a couple of weeks worth of research, it seems two to three times as much to swap in a four, five, or six-speed manual vs. a three or four-speed automatic. I can understand why automakers are phasing them out if their cost ratio is similar, especially since they have historically been able to charge more for the automatic. What’s a guy like me to do? Pick the lightest and most affordable junkyard manual. Obviously, that way, it doesn’t hurt the back or the wallet as much when I have to regularly lift another one into place when it breaks in half.
Have a question or comment for Kelly? Post it at lmtimes.ca/kirk
