Power difference between automatic and manual? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Eurasianman · 05-02-2012, 09:31 AM

First, I did try searching for this, to some extent. Did not really find anything.

Now, in the past, if I remember correctly, vehicles with automatics would output less power than manuals since some of the engine power had to be used for switching gears in an automatic. I was curious if that is still the case today. How much power can be expected to be lost at the wheels with an automatic transmission or is this a thing of the past?

Dave-ROR · 05-02-2012, 10:59 AM

Unless you dyno in first gear it should read more or less the same on a dyno. Normal variance. If there is a power difference it'll be slight, especially compared to old autos without a locking TC.

RYU · 05-02-2012, 11:05 AM

The gear ratios are taller on the automatic (not sure about the final drive). That is where the biggest performance difference will stem from on the street and the dyno.

Eurasianman · 05-02-2012, 11:23 AM

But still, does not the automatic need power from the engine to switch gears? And if so, would that not mean less power to the wheels? I would imagine a few horsepower loss at the wheels. Do not know about torque.

Dave-ROR · 05-02-2012, 11:27 AM

I'm not an AT guy, but it's electronically shifted through solenoids I believe.

arghx7 · 05-02-2012, 04:14 PM

A pump inside the A/T generates line pressure. This pressure is manipulated in the valve body for applying pressure to various elements inside the A/T. You would really have to do back-to-back dyno runs on A/T and M/T vehicles using the same dyno.

05-02-2012, 09:31 AM	#1
Eurasianman Chief Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 DGM BRZ Premium 6MT Location: USA Posts: 573 Thanks: 145 Thanked 178 Times in 126 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Power difference between automatic and manual? First, I did try searching for this, to some extent. Did not really find anything. Now, in the past, if I remember correctly, vehicles with automatics would output less power than manuals since some of the engine power had to be used for switching gears in an automatic. I was curious if that is still the case today. How much power can be expected to be lost at the wheels with an automatic transmission or is this a thing of the past?

05-02-2012, 10:59 AM	#2
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	Unless you dyno in first gear it should read more or less the same on a dyno. Normal variance. If there is a power difference it'll be slight, especially compared to old autos without a locking TC. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

05-02-2012, 11:27 AM	#5
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	I'm not an AT guy, but it's electronically shifted through solenoids I believe. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

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05-02-2012, 11:05 AM	#3
RYU Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: really slow... Location: Los Angeles (SGV) Posts: 737 Thanks: 340 Thanked 253 Times in 145 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The gear ratios are taller on the automatic (not sure about the final drive). That is where the biggest performance difference will stem from on the street and the dyno.

05-02-2012, 11:23 AM	#4
Eurasianman Chief Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 DGM BRZ Premium 6MT Location: USA Posts: 573 Thanks: 145 Thanked 178 Times in 126 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	But still, does not the automatic need power from the engine to switch gears? And if so, would that not mean less power to the wheels? I would imagine a few horsepower loss at the wheels. Do not know about torque.

05-02-2012, 04:14 PM	#6
arghx7 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: car Location: cold Posts: 599 Thanks: 72 Thanked 607 Times in 185 Posts Mentioned: 33 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	A pump inside the A/T generates line pressure. This pressure is manipulated in the valve body for applying pressure to various elements inside the A/T. You would really have to do back-to-back dyno runs on A/T and M/T vehicles using the same dyno.

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