Mach auto or stick?

skywarp

New Member

Nov 28, 2003

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Apr 22, 2004

#1

• Apr 22, 2004

• #1

I posted this in the special productions too. What is the performance difference between the stick and auto in this car? One person replied and wondered why I would want an auto. This is the closest you'll probably ever see to an automatic Cobra. The heads and cams are the same, but doesn't have the forged bottom end. Also the Mach doesn't have the IRS to hamper traction.

 

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

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North GA

Apr 22, 2004

#2

• Apr 22, 2004

• #2

Gotta figure that driveline loss on automatics are bad. Plus manuals are fun to drive. Automatics will probably decrease horsepower anywhere between 10-15% lower than manuals..

 

S

Solid Snake

Banned

Nov 26, 2002

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GA

Apr 22, 2004

#3

• Apr 22, 2004

• #3

Well, first off, it's a Ford auto tranny. We all know how well Ford auto's perform in stangs Second, the auto doesn't have the forged cobra crank. Why? I have no clue. And third, the ECU settings for the auto are garbage. The thing shifts a whole 1K before redline. The performance gap between the auto and 5-spd. in the Mach is pretty big.

 

dkshadow

Banned

May 12, 2003

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TEXAS

Apr 22, 2004

#4

• Apr 22, 2004

• #4

Nothing a high stall torque converter, valve body, and tune would cure

It may sound like a lot, not to mention $$$, but the end result would have you looking like ~~>

 

R

RacerGT

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Jun 28, 2002

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St. Charles, Missouri

Apr 22, 2004

#5

• Apr 22, 2004

• #5

merc123 said:

Gotta figure that driveline loss on automatics are bad. Plus manuals are fun to drive. Automatics will probably decrease horsepower anywhere between 10-15% lower than manuals..

Click to expand...

LMAO, are you serious?

Manuals lose 12-15% of power through the drivetrain, while automatics lose 15-18%. A manual is definitely fun to drive and will give a slight power advantage, but an automatic is no dog. Add gears and converter and some sticky tires and you'll be just fine in an automatic.

I run 13.0s on drag radials with minimal mods in an automatic and i'm not complaining.

 

downsouthman1

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Dec 16, 2003

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Texas

Apr 22, 2004

#6

• Apr 22, 2004

• #6

Another big difference is that the redline in the AT is actually lower than the redline in the ST. ST is 7K RPMs, & Auto is like 6K. Not that it matters much cuz peak HP is the same for both, 6K RPMs. There's a lot more info about Machs @ mach1registry.com. I'll post a thread for you if you want, if I can't find the answer to your question. From what I hear you can assume about 15% drivetrain loss through the ST & 20% through the AT.

 

BlkMachWon

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Jul 1, 2003

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Apr 22, 2004

#7

• Apr 22, 2004

• #7

Either way it's a great car with good performance.
But yes a manual has a bit more.

Downsouthman is right, go over to the mach1registry.com and poke around, do a search, look at the quarter mile lists, they designate manual or autos, etc.

 

3

350HPZ

New Member

Jul 18, 2003

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Apr 23, 2004

#8

• Apr 23, 2004

• #8

My 04 Mach auto shifts at 6300rpm and ran 13.8 at 101 mph brand new and stock.Autos are very consistant.its heavy at 3565Lbs. But runs great.

 

hognutz

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Nov 12, 2002

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albany, oregon

Apr 23, 2004

#9

• Apr 23, 2004

• #9

I don't like auto's in low displacement cars like ours. now that being said they can be made to run just fine. auto's really shine when set up properly but that costs$$$$. not to mention the auto is a $900 option I think.

my .02 is drive them. I mean I drove both in 01 when I bought mine and it was a no brainer. auto was slower and more expensive. now if I had a ton of stop and go driving I would consider an auto.

 

yellow5.0cobra

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Jul 25, 2002

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In the garage, On the floor.

Apr 23, 2004

#10

• Apr 23, 2004

• #10

OKAY one very big difference between MANUAL and AUTO MACH 1's are the CRANK.

In automatic MACH 1's, the crank is cast crap.

In 5spd the crank is FORGED.

I say go with the 5spd only because the crank is so much better in the long run(if you plan on building an engine, and it will save you $800).

5spd is also so much more fun. Putting the car in D and pressing the gas is BOOOORING.

 

Zinc03GT

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Apr 21, 2004

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Mass

Apr 23, 2004

#11

• Apr 23, 2004

• #11

Are you saying the cams between the auto and 5 spd are the same, or between the Mach and Cobra? The Mach actually has different cams than the Cobra, I believe from the Expedition. Correct?

 

skywarp

New Member

Nov 28, 2003

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Apr 23, 2004

#12

• Apr 23, 2004

• #12

Zinc03GT said:

Are you saying the cams between the auto and 5 spd are the same, or between the Mach and Cobra? The Mach actually has different cams than the Cobra, I believe from the Expedition. Correct?

Click to expand...

From what has been discussed on other boards is that:
1. The Mach has the same heads and cams as the Cobra minus the blower. They both have the same part#.
2. The auto and stick Machs use the same cams and heads. There is no difference.

 

hognutz

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Nov 12, 2002

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albany, oregon

Apr 23, 2004

#13

• Apr 23, 2004

• #13

if the crank is forgred that is a good point. I say 5speed all the way. I don't know where the cam discussion cam from? was it due to the post on the redline being diffenent?

 

0

007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

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Broke

Apr 23, 2004

#14

• Apr 23, 2004

• #14

As people have pointed out the 2 major differences are the crappy crank in the auto (why did ford do that) and the fact that the auto shifts WAY too early compared to the manual. MM&FF (I think) did a test with both, and the auto got its ass kicked by the manual. The difference was huge.

This coming from a guy with an auto... get the manual... I wish I had done.

 

Zinc03GT

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Apr 21, 2004

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Apr 23, 2004

#15

• Apr 23, 2004

• #15

I thought you were comparing the Mach to 99 and 01 Cobras..my bad

 

0

03gtmustang

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May 26, 2003

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Northern Va

Apr 23, 2004

#16

• Apr 23, 2004

• #16

I didnt have a choice with my auto, but if it was my choice Id go with manual. BUT auto does have its pros, its very consistant and obviously easy to drive. Although after a while manual almost becomes automatic (because you get so used to it). You see these pros or people that have been driving manual their entire lives are the only ones that actually run amazing times. For example Ive heard of the Mach 1 running a 13.0 and even high 12's, now obviously the majority of the people wont be able to do that. Thats when auto has its advantage, we can go out there and consistantly run good times. We dont have clutches to worry about or shifting and our launches are pretty easy for the most part also. Remember its only 1 second between a 13 sec 1/4 mile and a 14 sec pass. You spin 1 extra second and your done. All Im saying is auto is easier to race on the track, but manual is a hell of a lot more fun. We all have our own opinion.

 

RIP 112

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Apr 19, 2004

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Round Top, Texas

Apr 23, 2004

#17

• Apr 23, 2004

• #17

Auto Mach 1's are rated at 308hp while manuals are rated at 310 at the crank(reported by MM&FF April 2004) Torque is rated at 323 for the auto and 335 for the manual. But of course, it all depends on the driver and the condition of the car and weather. It's the little things that count.

 

F

fanofstang

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Jan 3, 2004

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Apr 24, 2004

#18

• Apr 24, 2004

• #18

i know of a dozen 100% stock auto machs going 13.2-13.5 with no mods. i've got $500 (gears and a computer reflash) in mine and it is close to breaking into the 12's on stock tires.