I've posted this about a dozen times so far, but here it goes again.

At one of the Ford events a Mustang engineer said: "The average driver will be faster in an ATX 05 GT than MTX. MTX's are faster, but it takes a good driver to beat the ATX"

He said that a bunch of the Mustang engineers had a drag race session which proved the above statement. The engineer that told me this admitted that he was one of the majority people who could not drive the MTX as fast as the ATX.

1st gear in 5R55S - 3.23:1
1st gear in 4W70 - 2.84:1

This is why the '05 ATX is much faster off the line than SN-95 ATXs.

The 5R55S shifts from 1st to 2nd VERY fast. 2nd gear is 1st gear of the main trannie X OD. It appears OD can engage very fast. This is why the ATX runs 5.1 0 -60. There is only 1 shift, the fast 1-2 shift. You will be able to hit around 65 MPH in 2nd year.

1st and 2nd gears are also relatively close together, so the engine stays in its power band when you hit 2nd.

The 2-3 shift is nowhere near as good as the 1-2 shift. This is because to go from 2nd to 3rd, both the OD unit has to shift back from OD back to 1:1 and the main planetary gearset has to shift from low to mid gear. Although the "S" in 5R55S stands for "Synchronous", the 2 simultaneous gear changes never shift perfectly in sync. So the PCM retards timing to drop power and give the trannie time to get both gear changes done.

 

It depends upon what you want to do.

If you put 4.10 gears in a 2005 Mustang GT ATX, you will run 0-60 slower.

See my above post, with 4.10s you will have 2 trannie shifts in 0-60 not one. With 4.10s you will be making the slow 2-3 shift @ 52 MPH which will kill your 0-60 time.

With 4.10s I don't think that you will pick up anything off the line because unless you go to drag tires, all you're going to do is spin the tires off the line if you nail it.

However, I'd say 4.10's will let an 05 GT run the 1/4 faster as you will shift from 3-4 @ 77 MPH instead of 95 MPH with the stock 3.31s. This will allow you to pull some speed in 4th year before the line.

Ain't bench racing fun!

 

I do like the fact that they came out with the 5 speed auto for better performance. I still ordered a manual because I don't want my wife to drive it

 

Thanks for posting it again though. I haven't seen the info in the last paragraph before. It provides a good explanation for the decline in performance during the 2-3 shift.

 

I drove a stick for over 37 years before buying my Mustang with an auto. I prefer it for daily driving, thank you. And I don't think driving an auto makes anyone less of an enthusiast. It's just a matter of personal preference.

 

I haven't really seen the majority here bad-mouthing the auto. I do believe there are a lot of people here, myself included, who believe that the manual is the way to go performance wise with the new Mustang. The manual, for those who are familiar with driving them, can be much more fun and an overall more satisfying experience than the auto. However, I know the concerns of some regarding the monotony of shifting and slowing down in traffic, and for those who are worried about that getting tiresome, the auto is a great choice. Sometimes I wish my Ranger had an auto, and other times I wish my Mark VIII had a manual.

 

I don't see what the big deal is between an auto and a manual -- buy what you want. The "autos stink for performance" opinion is just as invalid as "manuals stink for daily driving". I've had both, and the manual doesn't bother me one bit driving in traffic -- shifting is easy, if I have to do it, and with the powerband of a V8 I have a large range of speed I can go without shifting into a different gear.

Dave

 

Just an FYI.... Motor Trend projects that the manually driven car will post a 0-60 mph time of about 4.8-4.9. The auto of course posted a time of 5.1, which is very impressive to me.

 

Manuals are just so much fun to drive.

 

I havent seen anything about bashing the autos? I, myself prefer a manual but to each his own. I also have a CDL so the Mustangs 5 speed is nowhere near tedious.

 

5 speed = more speed (always) just learn to drive it like you stole it.....remember you play you pay.........

 

Then you really can't comment either way now can you? I'm not trying to be mean, but I don't know how you can defend the auto if you have never driven stick. I wouldn't think about defending the stick if I have never driven an auto. Go learn to drive stick, you will see what all the rave is about.

 

I will be getting an auto because this car is a present for my wife (she doesn't know she's getting it). She can't drive a manual because of some back problems, and I'm glad it will be a five speed auto so I can have a little fun with it. I like manuals because of the complete control you have, although the more manu-matic cars I drive, the more I like that setup.

 

I will be getting an auto because this car is a present for my wife (she doesn't know she's getting it). She can't drive a manual because of some back problems, and I'm glad it will be a five speed auto so I can have a little fun with it. I like manuals because of the complete control you have, although the more manu-matic cars I drive, the more I like that setup.

 

i dont care if its a decent auto or what im goin with the manual

 

ditto. Actually, I already ordered it, so I don't really have a choice



But I don't regret it one bit. There is just a bond and interface between you and the car that is just so fun.

 

I have drove a manual for the past 4 years & as an everyday car....it's not very handy. Yes, it can be fun to drive but I have a 68 that I will be driving for fun & hopefully by the end of the month I will have my auto 05 GT. I test drove an automatic 04 just to see if it would have enough get up & go compared to my 5 speed & I was pertty impressed. I know that my 05 will have plenty of power. Plus I might be keeping my 2000 if the trade in isn't good so when I feel like being a kid again I can.

 

BTW, is the rear Limited Slip? curious...

 

It's difficult for me to envision owning this car with anything but a stick. I've been driving stick forever. Took my driving test in my '78 Cobra II with a 4 speed. I do own an Escape which we use for family duty and general utility function, but honestly, driving that right now on a daily basis is boring.

This car is meant to be driven, which means stick. If you do live in an area where heavy traffic is common, then of course, the auto makes sense. Otherwise, auto (IMHO) isn't an option.

 

nothin' like rowin' through the gears! I had an AOD in my '88 and I'll never go back to an auto for a performance car.... IMO the stick will handle better when carving corners. You can use the clutch to roll your body when setting up for a corner, where as with an auto, you're on your brakes more agressively... I don't know.... I just like having full control over the car like that. Sure, it's more work, but it's worth it to me to be able to feather the clutch to aid what you're doing. I'm glad that Ford finally stepped up and put a 5 speed auto in for those that'd prefer it, though... it just makes Mustang as a whole a better class of car. All good times, I say.