Manual/Standard transmission on Sierra/Silverado

[Silverado Steve]

These trucks are behemoths and already a PITA to park in some crowded suburban parking lots. My days of wanting to drive a stick have long since sailed. Other than feeling good about yourself and bragging how great of a driver you are because you are one of the few who can drive a stick, a manual transmission has no real purpose compared to today's modern automatics.

[kstruckcountry]

The only thing you get out of a manual when trying to creep slowly is a hot clutch. With an auto, the pump provides you with an effective gear reduction, which is great.

 

Look in some of the highest powered vehicles on or off road, you'll see a slushbox in most of them. Sand rails, drag cars, rock bouncers all use primarily autos. These are purpose built machines, most of which would have been easier to build with a manual transmission, but they aren't.

 

I drive manuals regularly, but I'm fully aware of the disadvantages of each.

[Silverado Steve]

Plenty of info out there on todays transmissions. I guess you can believe what you want, but the truth about MPGs and efficiencies between the two favor the automatic.

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/five-myths-about-stick-shifts.html

 

I ask that you re-read what is said and maybe you wouldn't make such a provocative comment. My references were not a comparison between a new automatic to an old standard. Your memories of pickups in the 60's and 70's may be different than mine but my manuals had higher trailer towing abilities than the automatics. You might also find that the fuel consumption and speed were not attributes of this generation of automatics.

I do not know how a current automatic when compared with a current manual could be faster or more fuel efficient. However, I wouldn't accuse you of telling lies for saying this. You are sharing what you believe to be true and it is up to the readers to accept or not.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

manual 2016 zo6 corvette 0-60 3.1 seconds

 

Automatic 2016 z06 corevtte 0-60 2.8 seconds

 

But a manual is still funner to drive. This may be a little cliche, but a real manual does make you feel more part of the car. When I say real manual, I mean with a stick. Paddle shift doesn't feel the same. Plus that .3 second difference isn't a big deal unless you actually race it which either way a driver would prefer a manual if they're racing it.

[Donstar]

 

But a manual is still funner to drive. This may be a little cliche, but a real manual does make you feel more part of the car. When I say real manual, I mean with a stick. Paddle shift doesn't feel the same. Plus that .3 second difference isn't a big deal unless you actually race it which either way a driver would prefer a manual if they're racing it.

Nicely said! If given the choice, I would take the Corvette with the manual transmission. It may take a third of a second longer to get to 60 mph but would have a lot more fun getting there!

[white1500]

Our Nissan versa has a 6mt but I wouldn't want one in a truck or any other (nice) daily driver. For me, stick is fun for econoboxes and sports cars but I don't want to look like I'm rowing a boat in a full size truck! Haha

[emeryz28]

I have a 6 speed in my Camaro and love it, but I would never want it in my truck. I enjoy the relaxation of the auto.

 

I had a 5 speed in my 94 Sierra with the mile long shifter, it was a pain.

[Donstar]

I have a 6 speed in my Camaro and love it, but I would never want it in my truck. I enjoy the relaxation of the auto.

 

I had a 5 speed in my 94 Sierra with the mile long shifter, it was a pain.

I totally agree. If it is not relaxing, or is like a chore to drive, it is good to have the choice. I prefer the standard transmission and feel I get much more enjoyment from the driving experience whether it be a car or truck. I found the five speed manuals of the 90's quite different than the four speed manuals they replaced. They were much more "car like" but still fun to drive in my opinion.

[Jon A]

manual 2016 zo6 corvette 0-60 3.1 seconds

 

Automatic 2016 z06 corevtte 0-60 2.8 seconds

 

Yes, drag racers have preferred autos since a 'Glide and a high stall converter were a nice setup.... At tracks where the steering wheel is needed, manuals still rule. The dual clutch transmissions of the high dollar cars (Ferrari, Porsche, GTR, etc) are nothing like the autos available from GM and Ford. The most track oriented cars from them (Z28, GT350R) are still only available with manuals and they didn't do that because they wanted to make the cars slower.

 

I believe the upcoming 10 Speed may finally change that. But that will be the first time die-hard "track guys" may choose the auto in such cars because it'll actually be enough faster they'll have to.

[HondaHawkGT]

 

Yes, drag racers have preferred autos since a 'Glide and a high stall converter were a nice setup.... At tracks where the steering wheel is needed, manuals still rule. The dual clutch transmissions of the high dollar cars (Ferrari, Porsche, GTR, etc) are nothing like the autos available from GM and Ford. The most track oriented cars from them (Z28, GT350R) are still only available with manuals and they didn't do that because they wanted to make the cars slower.

 

I believe the upcoming 10 Speed may finally change that. But that will be the first time die-hard "track guys" may choose the auto in such cars because it'll actually be enough faster they'll have to.

The 8L90 is supposed to shift faster than the Porsche PDK transmission. GM's engineers were told they needed to engineer an 8-speed that would rival competing dual-clutch transmissions.

 

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2014/Aug/0820-8speed/0820-corvette-8-speed-lead.html

 

"In fact, a new, Gen II transmission controller analyzes and executes commands 160 times per second, and wide-open throttle upshifts are executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911."

[Jon A]

Yes, GM did make some grand claims for the A8...and many owners feel the were lied to. The shift delays it gives on the track drive some people nuts and aren't even in the same ballpark as a DCT...and that's for the whole three laps it makes it before overheating.... Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fantastic transmission for an auto; great for a luxury car or truck. But there's no way in the world I'd choose it over a manual for a track car.

 

But the new A10 might actually live up to the hype. Have you watched any of the 2017 ZL1 track videos? They're pretty impressive. But independent track tests of course will be the true tests.

[Donstar]

Following up on an earlier comment I was able to find manual transmissions offered on 2016 Silverados and Sierras sold in Mexico. However, they are only available on basic 6 cyl, regular cab, 2wd models. I am unsure of the rationale for not making it optional on other models. It can't purely be an issue of non-existent public demand.