LT1 auto as fast as manual?

I'm new to the forum because I recently got a 96 Z28 auto. I was really looking for a 6 speed (my last car was a Cobalt SS Supercharged with a 5 speed) but I came across this car in the color scheme I wanted, 41k miles, mint condition with flawless paint and interior, and I pretty much stole it for $6800. Anyway, I have heard a few people say that the LT1 autos are as fast at the manuals, but that seems a little far fetched to me since you're giving up 2 gears. Anyone know for sure if there is a difference in 1/4 mile times?

I don't have an answer for you, but that is a nice car.  A 96' Z with that low of mileage for only $6,800.  You really did get a steal.  You should post in the new members section so everyone else can see that.  Do you have more pics?  

quote:

ORIGINAL: The Banks

I don't have an answer for you, but that is a nice car.  A 96' Z with that low of mileage for only $6,800.  You really did get a steal.  You should post in the new members section so everyone else can see that.  Do you have more pics?  

 
Thanks. I'll do that plus post more pics in the gallery tomorrow.

i dont know about auto vs manual.. but you have a DAMN fine set of tail pipes.

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ORIGINAL: Spartan66

i dont know about auto vs manual.. but you have a DAMN fine set of tail pipes.

 
Thanks. The car came with a nice aftermarket stereo (mp3 player, usb port), K&N cold air intake, and aftermarket exhaust although I haven't put it up on a rack and figured out what kind yet. Sounds pretty mean though.

from here looking at the tail pipes my guess would be Magnaflow but idk.

To answer your question about 1/4 mile times, stock for stock they tend to be the same.  You have to consider that although you are giving up 2 gears, one of those is an extra overdrive that you'll never hit on the 1/4 mile.  Then, you take into consideration that the 1st gear of 4L60E is more aggressive than the 1st gear of the T56, even after you calculate in the different rear end ratios (3.23 for a GU5 auto, vs 3.42 for all manuals).  Then consider that the auto is going to get off the line faster (unless you're a pro-stock driver, in which case it may be even), and the auto shifts faster and more accurately than any normal human can dream of.  After all that, it doesn't take too much imagination to see why the auto will run similar 1/4 mile times.  If the T56 is driven well it will always trap at a heigher speed, but the times are pretty similar.  If you put a high rpm stall and a shift kit in the auto it will walk all over the manuals all day.

Nice find on the car, I love people that sell low milage stuff for cheap!  I got the same sort of deal on my car, 95 Z28 A4, 37,000 miles, $6000, but mine was all stock.  Welcome to the Forum!

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ORIGINAL: 95slvrZ28

To answer your question about 1/4 mile times, stock for stock they tend to be the same.  You have to consider that although you are giving up 2 gears, one of those is an extra overdrive that you'll never hit on the 1/4 mile.  Then, you take into consideration that the 1st gear of 4L60E is more aggressive than the 1st gear of the T56, even after you calculate in the different rear end ratios (3.23 for a GU5 auto, vs 3.42 for all manuals).  Then consider that the auto is going to get off the line faster (unless you're a pro-stock driver, in which case it may be even), and the auto shifts faster and more accurately than any normal human can dream of.  After all that, it doesn't take too much imagination to see why the auto will run similar 1/4 mile times.  If the T56 is driven well it will always trap at a heigher speed, but the times are pretty similar.  If you put a high rpm stall and a shift kit in the auto it will walk all over the manuals all day.

Nice find on the car, I love people that sell low milage stuff for cheap!  I got the same sort of deal on my car, 95 Z28 A4, 37,000 miles, $6000, but mine was all stock.  Welcome to the Forum!

 
I suppose it makes sense that the times could be virtually identical when you take all of that into account plus the fact that the LT1 has such a broad torque band.  By the way, great looking car and you got a great deal. I notice that it's not stock anymore. When did you get it?

Stic first of all that is a great looking car and did you get that from a dealer for that price because that is insanely cheap. Also I was wondering if you could tell me the diameter of those tailpipes they look awesome.

Woah nice man. i got my 97 Z with 94k miles for $8900... you suck =P
 
well i use to have a 95Z and it was an auto (my 97 is a 6 speed) and to me the stick feels faster.  i havent like timed it or anything but i mean its not like all that far off, if you keep the auto in drive (not overdrive) then itll get you a little more speed, i use to shift a lot with the auto (lmao...) idk if u cared about gas or anything bc by what i've seen the 6 speed gets better.  but all in all its not that far off.
 
i didnt really read everybody else's statemnts they prolly know more than me..lol im new here too.

wait now im confused which one is regular drive the one with the square around it or the the regular d
because i always drive in the d with the box around it

they are basically the same as 95slvr said and it all depends on how well you can shift too.  but man that is one slick ride.  white fbodies always catch my eye (if they are clean)

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ORIGINAL: bonedeth631

wait now im confused which one is regular drive the one with the square around it or the the regular d
because i always drive in the d with the box around it

 
the "D" with the box is overdrive.  the "D" by itself is not lol

haha yeah the one with the box is overdrive..it saves you gas at the expense of torque, the regular D is drive.

Yeah D with the O is overdrive, good for normal everyday driving on relatively flat grades.  D is just plain ol' drive, good for going up hills, going down hills without having to use your brake as much, and for racing a ricer from the dig.  In all D shifts gears at a higher RPM than Overdrive.
 
Edit: those are nice tailpipes on your car stic.  They look like the ones on my bros white 95'.  They look like 3" tips.  Do they happen to say Flowmaster on the tailpipe too?

yea i thought they looked familiar too. 

I think the tips are about 3 inch, but I don't see a brand name on them anywhere. I'm gonna put the car on a rack soon and try to figure out exactly what they are.
 
This talk about drive vs overdrive has gotten me thinking. Does anyone have some kind of proof that drive actually shifts faster or at higher rpm? I'm kind of under the impression that all it does is ignore the 4th gear. Overdrive will certainly get very close to the redline when floored.

You can test this and see the difference for yourself.  If you are driving in the city/traffic in OD and are going along unaccelerated for a little while you will be able to feel and hear the transmission shift to the next highest gear.  Being unaccelearated the engine is at a lower RPM, which should prove the OD shifts at lower RPMs.  The same can be said if you are in the city/traffic in drive.  Since drive shifts at a higher RPM and if you are unaccelerated, you will be going slower since it hasn't reached the higher RPM to shift into the next highest gear.  The following is what I do preatty much on a daily basis and is also another test to see the difference.  If you are going fast in OD, then drop down into drive you will be able to feel somewhat of a jolt followed by the engine revving higher, and your car beginning to slow down.  You can do this for going down hills and losing speed when there is an upcoming stop ligt or something.  You are right about not being able to go into 4th gear while in drive.  Revving at a higher RPM and higher speeds will put more stress on the transmission and engine, thats probably why shifting into 4th while in drive isn't an option, I wouldn't even try testing that out. 

i drive around in o/d all the time and i just dont get a real torquey feeling as when im in drive. I can redline it in overdrive while flooring it but i dont do that very often kuz i try to spare my car from some abuse these days.. lol

Thanks for the answers. I still wonder if there would be a difference in 1/4 mile times. Has anyone tested that? In the 1/4 mile the car would never reach 4th gear anyway, and this would be a good test to see if the car shifts harder or at higher rpm while under full throttle.

Stic, it sounded to me like the question you were asking is does the trans shift differently from a standstill whether it's in drive or overdrive? The answer is no. It runs through the gears just the same, but when in drive and not overdrive, obviously it just stays in third. BTW, I always drive my cars around town in drive, not overdrive. Going 30-35 in overdrive really bogs the engine down more and is way below the engines optimum torque/performance range. It can actually make your gas mileage worse driving in o/d at slow speeds, plus it's an annoyance having the trans shift from 4th to third to fourth... I usually bump it up into o/d once I hit the 45 mph range, based on what the needle on my tach is telling me.

Stic:  I got my car shortly before my join date, late July 2006. 

Camaro 69 is also correct about the transmission.  It does not matter whether the car is in D or OD, it will shift the same.  Your best bet at the track is to put it in OD and leave it, the 4L60E(the auto transmission on all 94+ Camaros) is all electronically controlled, thus the "E" in the name, and it shifts depending on readings from various sensors.  This determines the RPM as well as the speed that it shifts at, so if you have the pedal on the floor, it's going to shift at redline every time.  I disagree with Camaro 69 on the D vs OD thing for regular driving with our cars since they are electronically controlled.  The car isn't going to shift into 4th too early, and the car makes 325 ft/lbs of torque at 2200 RPM, it's pretty hard to bog the motor down.

Thanks for all the answers. Too bad my car didn't end up to be a 6 speed and then I could just shift the gears myself instead of worrying about what the auto is doing.

Don't worry about what the auto is doing, just let it do it's own thing. It'll shift depending on how you drive. If you want it to shift, just lightly let off the gas and if you're high enough in the RPM's it'll shift. Another thing that the auto takes into consideration when deciding on when to shift is speed, so it won't shift out of 1st until you're doing over 8-10 mph etc. I can get my car to shift just about anywhere I want, it's just more throttle control instead of a clutch. Although they're not as fun to drive, they still aren't boring!

No its definitely not boring, but I was afraid I would be bored going back to an auto. My first car was a 3.8 V6 '97 auto Camaro. It was a nice car that served me well and looked great, but it was boring.  My next car was a '95 Cobalt SS Supercharged 5 speed (still have it but the lease is almost up) and it's been tons of fun. When I got this '96 auto Z to replace the Cobalt SS, I wasn't sure I would love driving it but I do. The torque is fun to play with even if I don't get to shift the gears, the music coming from the tailpipes is intoxicating, and it flies!