Hey guys, I'm trying to make a sport truck, and I'm wondering what kind of transmission to use. I know their are manuals and automatics, but their are also variances of each. I'm not a huge fan of manuals because of all the crazy clutch work, and the h-pattern of the shifter, and I don't like automatics because their is no fun (or power usually :/) in automatics. I'm new with working on vehicles can anyone please help me?

 

If you're making a sport truck, it needs to be a stick.

 

Their aren't any other forms of a manual that don't require so much clutch work? Especially at take offs... I'm quite sloppy with a stick :/

 

Well, you could use an automatic with a shift kit. It would allow for manual shifting but with no clutch.

 

Yeah, I've heard of that, no clutch sounds really good to me lol... but I thought the computer still shifted for you when you had a shift kit, so it actually lets you manually shift? From what I understand you need a manual valve body correct?

 

that only happens on the newer (i think 92/93 and up) transmissions. i believe the aod is not fully computer controlled. pretty much anything in the 80's is good for a shift kit. also if you have a newer transmission(90's and up) and install a shift kit, your shifts will be right there every time and almost instant. as far as manuals, if your building a sport truck where you will be slamming gears you do not want an M5OD, a ZF tranny out of an f-250 will do so much better and hold up to the brunt.

 

The electronically controlled transmissions don't use shift kits (I think) but instead use electronic shift improver controllers. I don't know how they work, I've got no experience with them.

 

Okay thanks for the info man. From what I understand a lot of dragsters are actually switching over to automatic now and just doing a lot of modifications to the tranny, especially the paddle style shifters found in Ferrari's, Lambo's, etc. And thanks for your help to Sean, I've always been into motors and gear head kinda stuff, but not really a fan of a fully manual transmission, thanks again guys!

 

x2 - the mazda sourced tranny doesn't hold up very well against 'spirited' driving habits

 

haha i should know, ive cracked my tranny right in half when i was offroading ive got a new one just waiting to go in once i get a new flywheel