Auto versus manual

[muzzza]

Just contemplating another cobra build. LS3 with a few tweeks ( 550 hp ) in a lightweight car, aluminium chassis etc- less than 1000 kg ( sounds a bit like pace )
Stick shift is what a purist will want to see in a cobra........but I have been thinking over the auto option. For cruising and say the odd drag meet.
I think an auto would be easier on mechanicals and probably a little quicker on hard acceleration. Not much chop for any circuit racing, but that would not be a consideration with this build.

What thoughts on a quality auto as opposed to manual ?

[Gav]

I have an auto in mine and love it.
It is pretty competitive on the track, but the purists will hate it.

The 6L80e's are a beast of a box that will take what ever you can dish out but are huge. Mine is a 4L65e which has been significantly modified to handle the abuse I throw at it, a stock unit will die on the track. My first two did

Expect to need an aftermarket stall converter, mine is a 3000rpm unit still with a lockup clutch.

[RedEye]

I would be unimpressed by something slow shifting like an old Ford AOD, on the other hand, if one were to be a bit creative and fit a double clutch quick shifting trans with steering wheel paddles... that would not only fill a very nice market for two otherwise opposed driving parties, it would also likely have a reasonably good resale value (yet a loss, but less of a loss .

[Aussie Mike]

If I was building another I'd be tempted to go the way Gav has with a paddle shifted Auto.

The 6L80 6 speed would be tempting if you could find a controller like the TCI one Gav has. However it's not got the best ratios in it from what I've read. Looking at Gav's performances I reckon 4 gears is enough.

[Dimis]

For your intended purpose a trick auto sounds fitting.

Despite that, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I can't even buy an auto as a daily driver.
...Just add that as another item on the laundry list of issues I have.

[Towmaster]

The 6L80E would seem the logical solution, however, they are not that friendly.... I had one in a VESS & it was a bit weird... Ask anyone that has had one. Will sometimes hold gears longer than it should & other times it will allow a big rev before changing up... I wouldn't recommend one....

[sideshow]

the 6l80 is a fking **** box when pushing over 500 or so hp or kws
once u do a tune on the 6l80 tcm and up the pressures and put big power thru it they will not last
ive got to program a ve senator tomorrow which the guy spent 5 to 6 grand doing the box up and it shat itself on way home
most good auto builders will not touch them once u put big power thru them
this senator now has a 4l80 with a compushift ecu so I have to go wire it in and reprogram rest of car so it doesn't bring up error codes

no one is converting their ve 6 spd manual to a 6l80
and about 50 or more ve 's have been converted to manual or 4 spd auto

[albanycobra]

Sorry Auto is for Nanna.......

[750hp]

Muzzza, as you're cruising down the freeway, top gear is top gear and it doesn't really matter whether there's a clutch or convertor in there.

You've had some cars over the years that would terrify most on this forum, so you have nothing more to prove! Build what suits you.

The 4L80 is the one that is designe on the bulletproof TH400, so a few tweaks will have it able to easily support what you're putting in front of it.

[lippy]

IMO if you're driving a Cobra, it should be a manual. It's not a Cadillac or a Bentley.

[muzzza]

Thanks Guys................appreciate your responses. Murray

[eschaider]

Murry,

More on the 4L80E. Like Craig said they are beasts. 1500 HP is a walk in the park for them. They are astoundingly reliable. You can get valve bodies for them that are full auto, full manual or auto with a manual shift option.

The guys over at Hughes Performance in the states do a very credible job with them. Here is a link for them => Hughes Perf 4L80E

Ed

[sideshow]

yes I just wired and programmed a 4l80 today into an 07 hsv gts

[renovationinnov]

hi guys for my 2 cent
as I have just had troubles with mine 4l60e & had it fixed I would not change it after having it adjusted to suit the lighter cobras than the commodore grange it came from
o my god does it shift nicely under load or just cruisin around the back blocks
rob

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by lippy

IMO if you're driving a Cobra, it should be a manual. It's not a Cadillac or a Bentley.

Yeah, like Shelby's Cobra! Oh wait

[Towmaster]

The 80e has a higher torque spec than the 60e.... So it should be stronger..

[G_Edmonds]

The first time I sat in my unassembled kit I realized that it would be hard for me to work three pedals with my big feet. I've run a 4sp auto for five years and really like it. Make sure you have enough cooler for the tranny.
-Greg

[601HP]

Install whichever suits you. After its done, you don't want to have to say "...wish I had done it the other way."

Way back in 1970, I remember looking at my father-in-law's 1967 427 Corvette. Blue, white convertible, stinger hood, rallye wheels, and a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. I was 20 years old and thought "...this just ain't right."

David

[sideshow]

I spoke to the compushifts guys and its easy to make tip tronic shifting on the 4l60/80
if u want to make it feel like a manual and I also think now u can do it with the ford zf 6spd auto but I think you need to change the valve body
so far there is no aftermarket controller for the 6l80, maybe they know its not worth building one or that its way to complicated that's why the box fails hehehe

[Gav]

TCI make a controller for the 6l80.
Along with many others.