I have an R32 auto and after driving so many different cars with auto gearboxes, due to work, the first thing I was gonna do on my 32 was convert it to manual.
But after the first drive in it I was so impressed. It felt like none of the other automatics I’ve ever driven, so I decided to keep it. I was always against autos as well.
Performance wise, auto skylines will beat the simillar power manual down the quarter, but biggest disadvantage of autos is they are definitively not made for the track work. Overall the autos are great.
Also, the auto computer is great with its self learning capability and with the POWER and HOLD buttons you still have a lot of control of the Skyline’s auto box.
So if you ask me which one do I prefer more, well probably manual coz I like to be in total control but when it comes down to the cost (clutches & gearboxes) and convenience of the auto over the manual I’m willing to sacriface a bit of control and I’ll stick with auto.
Sometimes I do wish I had a manual but I’m sure most of the manual guys sometimes wish they had an auto box.
knore - Where did you get the shift kit for $300? A place here in Syd wants $1100 to install one for me.
edit: Also the more torque down low comes from the extra timing. 20 degres compared to 15 on the manual.