Supercharged Engine - Auto or Stick?

I’ve got a 572 Alum ICH Hemi. It’s going to be supercharged and fitted to my g***er/poser 41’ Willy’s I’m busy collecting parts for. I’ve never owned/driven a nose bleed car before but understand they are not the worlds best handlers. I further understand the inclusion of my Hemi between it’s rails won’t help matters any, lol! Like I care!

I’m considering purchasing a 4 speed manual. I was thinking of going with an 18 Spline A833 New Process, Lakewood, center force etc from ‘P***on’. I’ve been told the box should do ok due to the car being reasonable light and the gearing pretty steep at 4.11:1

If this was your ride and, you had the money to buy either a stick or auto for it. Which way would you go and why?

My reservations about a stick are one of gearing/torque multiplication … I understand I’m going to have plenty of torque anyway so don’t need the gear reduction a stick offers … but I love the sound and thought of rowing your own boat though.

If it was going to be auto – it’d probably be a JW Glide set up. Opposite ends of the spectrum, lol!! But I understand the glide would be able to make max use of the torque generated by the Hemi.

The car will be street legal and run DOT biased ply MT’s. It will see a little bit of track time (slicks) but the main effort is street. What do you reckon and why?

Hear from you J

 

Four speed for sure!!!

 

yep manual all the way, no lines no leaks- but im not normal, I down shift at 3grand around corners
Tyler- perth Australia

 

ive had the same question, and another part of my quest is whats going to be faster at the track. cory

 

lets get real a hemi of that size and power will need a lenco 3 speed,no stock 4 speed will hold up for more than one good launch

 

For a streetcar of this 'awesome-ness' I'd also say; 4-speed all the way!

On the street the 833 will probably survive, not very long on the track. Although I must admit I don't know what kinda mods will be done to the gearbox.

 

4 0r 5 speed for sure but put a rev limiter on it as everyone misses a shift from time to time. Gary M.

 

Bones, you too!! Yeah, The thing I've always wondered about is how come you don't (well in my case) see many big inch/blown combo's running a manual. I've had thoughts all the way from; blower motors don't like the 'on-off-on again' thing ... like that might induce a cough/sneeze or something; hard to use the torque as in you've got enough already and gearing it down through the box just complicates matters in the traction department to ... belt jump/slip problems on the drive due to the on/off/on thing again. Really, I don't know. Or maybe anybody who's spent the sorta money it takes to put together a ICH Hemi is going racing anyway ... and is not going to stuff around with a manual. Dunno.

The reason the engine is so big is because I changed horses during mid course. It was to be a n/a effort relying on cubes to get the job done in my 68' Dart. I changed my mind at the last minute and brought low comp pistons and a blower cam etc and am concentrating on my Willys. This was all after I'd got my block/heads. So yeah, if I had to do things all over, I'd settle for a crate 426 instead and a lot more things would fit - not like now Plus the blower setup would be cheaper and the gearbox/strength issue wouldn't be as important yada yada. Anyway ...

I could probably spring for an aftermarket box, but I'll get back to P***on and ask what is done to the box to improve things first. The multiplication of already too much torque is bothering me though ... **** I need someone who's been here to advise whether I'm worried about something or nothing!!

My thoughts on which is fastest? I reckon the Auto but in my case, out right speed isn't my first concern. If it was, I'd be sticking it in my Dart.

I'm going to be running it pretty mild though so gotta think on things and ask questions.

Cheers.

 

Unless you're after every last inch of ET at the Drag Strip, i'd put a stick in it for sure. Nothing's more fun than shifting an animal with real power to have that "race car" feel on the street. Real Hot Rods have THREE pedals.

 

I have a blown and injected Donovan in my roadster. Mine makes 633 hp, for less than yours for sure, but at some point it is irrelevant on the street. I have 32" tall tires in the back a 3.20 gear in the rear end with a Richmond 5 speed. It runs about 2200 rpm at 70 mph. I love going threw the gears and listening to that blower sing. I wouldn't put an automatic in that thing if someone gave it to me!!

 

call me a ***** or whatever, but when it comes to HIGH powered rides, i dig automatics. most of my lower powered drivers have manuals, but when it comes to putting down a ton of power, i'll gladly give up the fun of bangin gears for the better handling/drivablility of an auto, you're also less likely to break drivetrain parts. you also made a good point that a blown engine likes to stay in the throttle.

 

Stick because it's more fun.

 

A good auto will almost always be quicker at the track.

 

Auto best for track, manual best for fun.

I agree that you may need a stronger trans if you go manual and hook up with slicks. Sounds like it will be a handful no matter what trans you decide on.