Are autos stronger than manuals?

[DanB 360]

If the auto is stronger or vice versa....why?

Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!

[DrDevon]

...in most passenger car/truck setups due to the torque converter being able to handle much, much more load than the clutches they turn us loose with.

[BullittMcQueen]

for the most part manuals usually can smoke autos, in the same vehicle, same motors, mods and equally competent drivers. manuals only lose about 15% HP from the motor to the wheels, and autos lose about 20%. theres one difference. the other is, autos are very reliable on getting a stall, you can stall it up and take off usually no problem, but with a manual you can revv it as high as you want and pop the clutch, as long as the tires will hold.
you might fry some clutches but hey, for drag racing its worth it.

[TroyK]

overall i'd say manual trannies are stronger than automatics. for instance, dodge's highest output cummins diesel engine in their heavy duty trucks only comes with a manual. the automatic version is "detuned". therefore it seems to me that it is easier to make a heavy duty manual trans vs an automatic...

[wittom]

I our F150's? Well I don't know. The manual feels pretty strong when it's in a gear, it's getting from one gear to another where it feels weak.
I drive a '99 E250, 5.4 for work. That auto doesn't feel all that strong. I think it has a higher tow rating than my F150 but the way they make the autos shift......, you can have them. If I let the clutch slip like the autos do I would be doing clutches every 10k.
I think in the case of out trucks the auto would be the "stronger" of the two. Too bad for me!

Tom

[Y2K 7700 4x4]

It's hard to break a manual transmission -- and this weekend I proved that you can break a 4R70W simply by entering the freeway (I'm convinced that it tried for 2 gears at once) and lost 3rd and 4th after a fatal moan, groan, and nosedive).

It's nearly impossible to tear up a well-made & properly specified manual trans under normal use.

(I work for a transmission supplier -- and wish I could have one of our manual trannies & clutches in my truck.)

[rocketir]

Just thought I would throw this into the mix,
The 4R70W transmission is rated to handle 700 ft/lbs of torque. This is due to the fact of the multiplying effect of the torque converter. Not sure what a manual is rated for.
Jes.

[fordman3]

Hey guys,
If any of you have Ford's brochure from any year model, look towards the back at the towing/drivetrain specs. Everything else being the same (engine, gearing, etc.), you'll probably see a tow rating for the automatic of 6000 to 7000 pounds (F150, not a SD), but for the stick, maybe 3300 pounds. I used to always think a manual was preferred when doing heavy towing, but Ford doesn't think so. I've got a '98 4x2 4.6 5-speed SC Lariat, and I have a hard time believing my stick will only pull half of what an auto will. I guess Ford doesn't want to be held responsible for all the fried clutches of the guys yanking 7000 pounds with their new stick truck who may or may not know how to drive it. I plan on towing my '69 Mach 1 someday to shows with this truck, and it plus a 1000 pound trailer are definitely gonna break 3300 pounds. What do y'all think? Let me know.

[GearHead_1]

Mach 1, no you're talking. I've had a dozen 69's & 70's. Well and one 67 GT 500.

[hobackF150]

I have a 2000 4x4 supercab with a manual. After putting 3:73 gears in it it pulls my 5000lb. boat on a tandem axle trailer with no problem. Before I put the gears in it was a real dog with the trailer. I'm sure that's because of the dinky v8 that I have in it and not the transmission. I've been through 4 rear ends and no transmision trouble whatsoever. The tech at the dealership thought that my second rearend was a transmission problem, but it wasn't. I would worry about the rear diff before I would worry about the tranny. Did you know that the tranny is made by mitsubishi?

[wittom]

I thought the M5OD was made by Mazda. I believe it's the clutch that is what makes the tow rating so low. Upgrading read gears makes sense but don't some of the trucks tow ok with an auto and 3.55's?

[mf150]

Family member has a 97 F-150 with 147,000 mi. on an auto tranny.
Just had the fluid ( trans and TQ Convert.) changed, no metal shavings!!! I, personally, like the automa. tranny, you can always clean up the shift with a performance chip. my truck, however, shifts quite well ( 4r70w).

just my imput...

[hmustang]

The auto has a higher tow ratting but I think a manual with a skilled driver could tow the same load.