| how all of this stacks up when using an automatic transmission vs. a manual shift. I'm more inclined to think that going to the 4.1 gears would be far more beneficial given they are in boost and putting power to the wheels all the time. Additionally, they can brakestand at the starting line and build considerable boost so when they come out of the hole the turbos are already singing. And one more - since the 4.1 gears put more torque to the wheels for a given trans gear AND combined with the turbos already producing positive pressures, you will be delivering considerably more torque to the wheels at the launch. With proper tire selection to get the grip, it is a superior setup compared to a manual trans. The auto trans has another difference - it only has 4 gears and they are a good bit taller than the manual trans. They also reach a 1:1 ratio by 3rd gear vs. 4th gear in the manual trans. By using the 4.1 gearset with the auto, you have a final drive ratio of 11.4:1 in 1st gear and 6.3:1 in 2nd. The manual trans final drive in 1st is 13.2:1 and 7.9:1 in 2nd. Interesting point here is that the auto has a gearing disadvantage to producing more torque at the wheels than the manual when they are both in 1st or 2nd. However, because you can leave the line in boost with an auto, it is quite likely that the auto is producing more net torque to the wheels all through 1st gear as compared to the manual trans due to its retarded boost response. The launch is one of the most important aspects of drag racing. Typically every tenth of a second you can shave off the 60' will result in ~0.3s reduction in ET. I can see several advantages of using the 4.1 gears in an Auto TT drag car, and some of those advantages speak directly to aspects of drag racing that carry a lot of significance to reducing ETs. This look at the use of the 4.1 gears is counter to what my OP suggests, however, this post is looking at it when used in an entirely different application....
Enthusiasts soon understand each other. --W. Irving.
Are you an enthusiast? If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the
tailor.
Albert Einstein
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