Ok I have been looking at a 2003 gt manual and i scared because it didnt seem to have much that much acceleration. This is coming from me who has been driving a v6 mustang for 5 years. im also looking at a 2002 cobra because the new ones are so expensive. my question is if i was to get a gt what are some mods that are cheap to get acceleration up and also is there a big difference in manuals and automatics because dealers keep telling me that there is not that much power loss and that when I put exaust on they soyund the same. The only reason I mention this is that i was thinking about a convertible and all i can find are automatics. Any help would be great<IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0">

 

go to autotrader.com they have lots of cars.

 

I have raced my manual against a auto and won by at least a car length. Drivers make a difernce but both cars make the same power at the fly wheel but not at the rear tires. The manual is allways going to be faster if you know how to drive. If you plan on racing you would be better off with a coupe and not a convertible. They weigh more and dont handle as well from the factory with out frame supports to stiffen up the chassis. But if you want to look cool in a convertible go for it.

 

You either can't drive a 5 speed or it's in your head.....

 

IF YOU ADD 3.73 OR 4.10 GEARS IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 3.73 FOR 5 SPD AND 4.10 FOR AUTOS

 

Go for the gears and get the manual. The dealer will tell you anything to sell you a car and he will try to sell a automatic because they cost more. Converts weigh more as well and arent as stiff as the coupes are.

 

i have an automatic with a shift kit and gears ... i can light up most manuals... an automatic needs a shift kit.. no way around it.. i have been racing for years and also have an 86 with a 351 tricked out... go to the track, take a look... i bet you find more autos than manuals in your comp. vehicles... driver makes ultimate difference... but the standard trans is a lot more fun.... just my 2cents</P>


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You got it backwards buzz....4.10s for 5 spd because the 5th gear is HUGE and makes little difference on yer top end. 3.73s for autos because the gearing in them sucks and youll stay wound up all day long. I run 85 mph at 2500 rpms with my 4.10s. In an auto youd be well into the 3k range at that speed.</P>

 

I agree with the earlier post, a manual is exactly 1 second faster in a 0-60 time trial, and about .8 faster in a quarter. As for the manual having more power at the wheels, thats wrong. Nothing is changing the power, the difference is an automatic allows slip when changing gears, and a manual bites as soon as the left foot comes up after shifts. But you are correct when you say alot is up to the driver.If you really know the shiftpoints of your car, theres the advantage of a manual, because an automatic shiftswhen its ready.I can bring my car up to about 1750 and launch it hard only breaking loose for about 10feet, but during this ten feet, I am not lighting them up and I am still pulling hard. I have raced an identical car, only my buddies is auto, and I can make the beginning of the race look bad, and beat him by at a couple cars.

 

If you get a convertible, go with a 5 speed only. Convertibles weigh much more... I see them running 14.5-14.7's stock....