i think he might just expect too much... the final gear ratio should be the same... also there is a HUGE diffrence, my car will run with stock 99+ gts now, and there is NO way a stock auto 96 gt would be even close... also the top speed will be higher with gears, because GTs are drag limited, so the steeper gear will get teh car more into the powerband allowing it to propel the car faster
-Ryan
-Ryan