Please advise: Don's VB + torque converter versus 5 spd?
05-07-2002, 04:46 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Please advise: Don's VB + torque converter versus 5 spd?
Hey, I have been an auto max owner for 2 years now, and enjoy spirited driving. I have an auto though, and surprsingly, have not driven a stick, but have always wanted to own a car with own. After being on this board for a while, I have heard about the virtues of a stick. I love my car, SE, leather, beautiful, and am thinking about a 5 spd conversion. I have already bought a VB and am waiting on it, but i now I thought of selling it and saving money (only like $500 for the conversion). Please let me know your opinions, also:
which is faster and by how much:
96 SE, Y pipe, bpipe, RT cat, hks muffler, CAI, UDP, 18X8.5 rims, and agx/sprint, AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER.
or the same same car minus (AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER) wih a 5SPD CONVERSION?
How is it different off the line? Is stick really that much more fun? Difficult to learn? Thanks.
which is faster and by how much:
96 SE, Y pipe, bpipe, RT cat, hks muffler, CAI, UDP, 18X8.5 rims, and agx/sprint, AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER.
or the same same car minus (AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER) wih a 5SPD CONVERSION?
How is it different off the line? Is stick really that much more fun? Difficult to learn? Thanks.
05-07-2002, 05:05 PM
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,493
Re: Please advise: Don's VB + torque converter versus 5 spd?
Originally posted by brodaiga
Hey, I have been an auto max owner for 2 years now, and enjoy spirited driving. I have an auto though, and surprsingly, have not driven a stick, but have always wanted to own a car with own. After being on this board for a while, I have heard about the virtues of a stick. I love my car, SE, leather, beautiful, and am thinking about a 5 spd conversion. I have already bought a VB and am waiting on it, but i now I thought of selling it and saving money (only like $500 for the conversion). Please let me know your opinions, also:
which is faster and by how much:
96 SE, Y pipe, bpipe, RT cat, hks muffler, CAI, UDP, 18X8.5 rims, and agx/sprint, AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER.
or the same same car minus (AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER) wih a 5SPD CONVERSION?
How is it different off the line? Is stick really that much more fun? Difficult to learn? Thanks.
Hey, I have been an auto max owner for 2 years now, and enjoy spirited driving. I have an auto though, and surprsingly, have not driven a stick, but have always wanted to own a car with own. After being on this board for a while, I have heard about the virtues of a stick. I love my car, SE, leather, beautiful, and am thinking about a 5 spd conversion. I have already bought a VB and am waiting on it, but i now I thought of selling it and saving money (only like $500 for the conversion). Please let me know your opinions, also:
which is faster and by how much:
96 SE, Y pipe, bpipe, RT cat, hks muffler, CAI, UDP, 18X8.5 rims, and agx/sprint, AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER.
or the same same car minus (AUTO WITH VB AND TORQUE CONVERTER) wih a 5SPD CONVERSION?
How is it different off the line? Is stick really that much more fun? Difficult to learn? Thanks.
DPW
05-07-2002, 07:08 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 274
Doesn't it suck when two people reply and not one actually answers your question? Anyway... I can't say for sure which car would be faster, but I can give you my opinion on driving a stick since both of my previous cars were standard and this is my first auto.
Driving with a stick is a lot of fun when you're launching fast, speeding through a twisty road, flying down a highway, or racing. It's not fun when you're in stop and go traffic or on a long trip and you just want to sit back and cruise without shifting when traffic comes.
Standard's are faster, both because you can choose to shift at the points that'll give you the best performance and because of how automatic's work.
Still, I miss driving stick. As far as whether it's worth it or not... you just need to decide if you're willing to put up with the headache of shifting when you don't want to do "spirited driving". If you're cool with that, go for it and don't worry about whether or not you'll be faster auto or stick.
And no, it's not hard to learn. After a week or two it'll be second nature...
Driving with a stick is a lot of fun when you're launching fast, speeding through a twisty road, flying down a highway, or racing. It's not fun when you're in stop and go traffic or on a long trip and you just want to sit back and cruise without shifting when traffic comes.
Standard's are faster, both because you can choose to shift at the points that'll give you the best performance and because of how automatic's work.
Still, I miss driving stick. As far as whether it's worth it or not... you just need to decide if you're willing to put up with the headache of shifting when you don't want to do "spirited driving". If you're cool with that, go for it and don't worry about whether or not you'll be faster auto or stick.
And no, it's not hard to learn. After a week or two it'll be second nature...
05-07-2002, 08:18 PM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 175
Go with the 5 spd. I had an auto 97 and can't see myself going back to auto for a long time. 5 spd so much more fun to drive......if you don't have to sit in traffic very often. I agree with the previous post that traffic is a real pain in the ***.
05-07-2002, 08:50 PM
#7
ok -
my take on it? convert to 5spd. even with a torque converter, a 5spd should still be able to take you off the line without too much trouble (assuming they can drive-not hard to learn) b/c they can find the perfect place for optimal power vs traction on the launch..
also - automatic transmissions take more hp just in the tranny then a 5spd, so the 5spd will be faster anyways. automatics are nice sometimes (traffic, ) but 5spds are fun and I dont know why they feel soo much faster...
do the conversion, its worth it. I dont know about your 500$ estimate though, not to say it can't be done, I wouldn't count on it..
best of luck, if you have any questions, hit me up -
H
my take on it? convert to 5spd. even with a torque converter, a 5spd should still be able to take you off the line without too much trouble (assuming they can drive-not hard to learn) b/c they can find the perfect place for optimal power vs traction on the launch..
also - automatic transmissions take more hp just in the tranny then a 5spd, so the 5spd will be faster anyways. automatics are nice sometimes (traffic, ) but 5spds are fun and I dont know why they feel soo much faster...
do the conversion, its worth it. I dont know about your 500$ estimate though, not to say it can't be done, I wouldn't count on it..
best of luck, if you have any questions, hit me up -
H
05-07-2002, 09:37 PM
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 274
Originally posted by hlh0501
ok -
my take on it? convert to 5spd. even with a torque converter, a 5spd should still be able to take you off the line without too much trouble (assuming they can drive-not hard to learn) b/c they can find the perfect place for optimal power vs traction on the launch..
ok -
my take on it? convert to 5spd. even with a torque converter, a 5spd should still be able to take you off the line without too much trouble (assuming they can drive-not hard to learn) b/c they can find the perfect place for optimal power vs traction on the launch..
So mod for mod, no matter what you do, a 5-spd Max always has the potential to be faster.
05-07-2002, 09:43 PM
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 761
When you guys say "Traffic" What exactly are you referring to? I live in brooklyn and there are alot of lights, like one every two blocks or so. Is that what you mean by traffic or do you mean stop and go rush hour traffic which is almost similar.
05-07-2002, 09:47 PM
#10
Originally posted by MrBlank
When you guys say "Traffic" What exactly are you referring to? I live in brooklyn and there are alot of lights, like one every two blocks or so. Is that what you mean by traffic or do you mean stop and go rush hour traffic which is almost similar.
When you guys say "Traffic" What exactly are you referring to? I live in brooklyn and there are alot of lights, like one every two blocks or so. Is that what you mean by traffic or do you mean stop and go rush hour traffic which is almost similar.
oh, and i wasn't saying a automatic maxima could never be as fast as a 5spd, definately not true. I was trying to say exactly what you were saying.. mod for mod, a 5spd should always be faster (until you get sub 10 second 1/4's, then auto's are better
)
05-07-2002, 09:54 PM
#12
Originally posted by MrBlank
you have to change gears from 0 to 2mph?
you have to change gears from 0 to 2mph?
...) but compare it to just having to barely work the brake pedal...
05-07-2002, 09:56 PM
#13
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Posts: 274
Originally posted by MrBlank
you have to change gears from 0 to 2mph?
you have to change gears from 0 to 2mph?
If you like to drive, though, and you get the chance to do a lot of fast, fun driving.. go for it. It's worth it for the down side. I really wish I had gotten a 5-spd, I miss my stick
05-08-2002, 03:05 PM
#17
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Originally posted by MrBlank
HAH, you havent found a person yet to do it? I thought you had it all setup with those prices. the labor alone will be more than 500
HAH, you havent found a person yet to do it? I thought you had it all setup with those prices. the labor alone will be more than 500
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....highlight=5spd
05-08-2002, 06:06 PM
#18
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??your going to do it yourself?
Originally posted by brodaiga
check out the link below, Mr. Blank
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....highlight=5spd
check out the link below, Mr. Blank
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....highlight=5spd
05-08-2002, 06:22 PM
#19
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,177
oh boy oh boy! i gotta jump in this...::drumroll:: once again the fastest max is an auto...............would i convert if even if it was for free..HELL NO. just mod the baby up and it just makes the bliss of beating a 5 speed with the closing, oh yeah i have a auto..lol
05-08-2002, 08:20 PM
#21
U wanna try me young boy?
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,024
If there is anyone in the Central Ohio area (Columbus/Delaware) who is considering doing the 5spd conversion...
You bring the car, and all the parts you need to do the swap, and I'll work with you to do the swap in my climate controlled 3-car workshop. I have all the regular tools/air/welder/hoist/tranny jack etc except a big lift, but I've swapped out more than one tranny in the last couple of months. If you work with me 50/50 then I won't charge for my labor. My free time is limited, so I can't help everyone out, but I'd love that chance to do this once or twice.
Anyone?
My experience is all self-taught, but I have rebuilt engines, swapped engines, clutches etc and rebuilt an automatic tranny (successfully!) This swap will be nothing new.
You bring the car, and all the parts you need to do the swap, and I'll work with you to do the swap in my climate controlled 3-car workshop. I have all the regular tools/air/welder/hoist/tranny jack etc except a big lift, but I've swapped out more than one tranny in the last couple of months. If you work with me 50/50 then I won't charge for my labor. My free time is limited, so I can't help everyone out, but I'd love that chance to do this once or twice.
Anyone?
My experience is all self-taught, but I have rebuilt engines, swapped engines, clutches etc and rebuilt an automatic tranny (successfully!) This swap will be nothing new.
05-08-2002, 08:27 PM
#22
U wanna try me young boy?
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,024
Oh - Do the 5spd swap. No contest.
BUT learn to drive a 5spd first, and see if you enjoy drivng 5spd. Otherwise it's like getting a tattoo without knowing what the design is gonna be - there's not much going back once you've done it!
Anyone who comes to me for the swap can get a lesson in driving stick in my stock '96 SE - I swear you will fall in love the very first time you hold 2nd to 4k rpm and then floor it... It brings a smile to my face every time I do that... The instant no-waiting-for-the-slushbox-to-wake-up kick in the butt is simply like driving a whole different car.
BUT learn to drive a 5spd first, and see if you enjoy drivng 5spd. Otherwise it's like getting a tattoo without knowing what the design is gonna be - there's not much going back once you've done it!
Anyone who comes to me for the swap can get a lesson in driving stick in my stock '96 SE - I swear you will fall in love the very first time you hold 2nd to 4k rpm and then floor it... It brings a smile to my face every time I do that... The instant no-waiting-for-the-slushbox-to-wake-up kick in the butt is simply like driving a whole different car.
05-08-2002, 08:49 PM
#23
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Posts: 876
Hey, I live in Atlanta and Columbus is not that much farther from me (couple hours) than Jacksonville, FL is. If you can do the labor for free for me (assuming, I'll help), YOU ARE MY SAVIOR, you save me a lot of money that I need for other matters. It would be a great experience. I'll buy you lunch afterwards, lol. The problem is that I have school this summer. But I have some days off from June 6 to June 15. Can we work on it within any of those days? I will provide all parts, and support. How long do you think this will take because if it takes more than a day, I'll have to get a motel room or something, but it is still cheaper than paying for labor. I posted a link to the instructions below, for your reference. Please let me know if you can do it as I am on the verge of making a deicison, e-mail to: brodaiga@aol.com, thanks!!!
http://www.css.tayloru.edu/~hheiner/...autoto5spd.htm
http://www.css.tayloru.edu/~hheiner/...autoto5spd.htm
05-08-2002, 08:55 PM
#24
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 761
Can I drive your stock 96 se?I wanna know how it feels!
Originally posted by Scruit
Oh - Do the 5spd swap. No contest.
BUT learn to drive a 5spd first, and see if you enjoy drivng 5spd. Otherwise it's like getting a tattoo without knowing what the design is gonna be - there's not much going back once you've done it!
Anyone who comes to me for the swap can get a lesson in driving stick in my stock '96 SE - I swear you will fall in love the very first time you hold 2nd to 4k rpm and then floor it... It brings a smile to my face every time I do that... The instant no-waiting-for-the-slushbox-to-wake-up kick in the butt is simply like driving a whole different car.
Oh - Do the 5spd swap. No contest.
BUT learn to drive a 5spd first, and see if you enjoy drivng 5spd. Otherwise it's like getting a tattoo without knowing what the design is gonna be - there's not much going back once you've done it!
Anyone who comes to me for the swap can get a lesson in driving stick in my stock '96 SE - I swear you will fall in love the very first time you hold 2nd to 4k rpm and then floor it... It brings a smile to my face every time I do that... The instant no-waiting-for-the-slushbox-to-wake-up kick in the butt is simply like driving a whole different car.
05-08-2002, 09:08 PM
#25
U wanna try me young boy?
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,024
Originally posted by brodaiga
Hey, I live in Atlanta and Columbus is not that much farther from me (couple hours) than Jacksonville, FL is. If you can do the labor for free for me (assuming, I'll help), YOU ARE MY SAVIOR, you save me a lot of money that I need for other matters. It would be a great experience. I'll buy you lunch afterwards, lol. The problem is that I have school this summer. But I have some days off from June 6 to June 15. Can we work on it within any of those days? I will provide all parts, and support. How long do you think this will take because if it takes more than a day, I'll have to get a motel room or something, but it is still cheaper than paying for labor. I posted a link to the instructions below, for your reference. Please let me know if you can do it as I am on the verge of making a deicison, e-mail to: brodaiga@aol.com, thanks!!!
http://www.css.tayloru.edu/~hheiner/...autoto5spd.htm
Hey, I live in Atlanta and Columbus is not that much farther from me (couple hours) than Jacksonville, FL is. If you can do the labor for free for me (assuming, I'll help), YOU ARE MY SAVIOR, you save me a lot of money that I need for other matters. It would be a great experience. I'll buy you lunch afterwards, lol. The problem is that I have school this summer. But I have some days off from June 6 to June 15. Can we work on it within any of those days? I will provide all parts, and support. How long do you think this will take because if it takes more than a day, I'll have to get a motel room or something, but it is still cheaper than paying for labor. I posted a link to the instructions below, for your reference. Please let me know if you can do it as I am on the verge of making a deicison, e-mail to: brodaiga@aol.com, thanks!!!
http://www.css.tayloru.edu/~hheiner/...autoto5spd.htm
If you accept the responsibility of having all the needed parts available, then bring it on.
So far my world record for yanking a tranny is 3 hours from driving the car into the workshop to having the tranny on the workbench. The most difficult things will be just plugging the tranny and engine together (just muscle work and finnesse with the hoist!) and careful disassembly of things like the dash. We would have my '96 as a reference of how a 5spd should go together.
05-08-2002, 09:25 PM
#26
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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ok, you have got a deal, I will now invest a lot of time and research in obtaining a good trans and getting all the necessary parts, can u send me your e-mail or phone # so I can get in contact with you, to let you know on the progress of my parts, thanks again.
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