Originally Posted by jay357
One of the main reasons lightnings are beating srt10s are because they have an automatic transmission. It is very hard to shift threw the gears with that long shifter in a 500 horsepower truck. I also think, the transmission in the lightning is the same as they used in the superduty, because it was so strong and that ford didnt make a manual that could hold up to the torque in the lightning. The automatic in the lightning is much better suited to the truck than a manual.
Well said. Dodge tried the same trick by putting Cummins diesel automatic transmissions in 4 Door SRT-10s (automatics are the ONLY option in the 4 DOOR SRT-10)....reviews stated that the automatic transmission was rough shifting and that the transmission combined with traction control that can't be turned off was holding the SRT-10 from ever running at full potential. For the SRT-10 Manual Tranny, Dodge outsourced to Tremac, which builds the trannys that come stock in SVT Cobras, Roush Mustangs, and possibly Saleen mustangs as well, somebody feel free to correct me if Im wrong on the Roush and Saleen part.
I have driven a Lightning and the tranny in them is smooth shifting....you are probably correct in that the auto tranny is well suited for a performance truck, my gripe is just in the basic idea that manual trannys should at least be an OPTION in a vehicle labeled as Factory Performance. Manual trannys give the driver more control over operating the vehicle as everyone here knows. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on the driver, conditions, etc. I am aware that you can still downshift and upshift manually if you choose with auto trannys, however I have always found it easier and more natural to do it with a manual transmission. I honestly don't think auto trannys could handle someone treating them like a manual transmission all the time as well. I've known a few people who have busted an automatic tranny for treating it like a manual when driving on a constant basis.
But this debate and my opinion is pointless because the SVT branch of Ford is barely alive. The SVT Cobra based on the new Mustang design is the only thing SVT has going on. The SVT Focus got killed off because their target buyers (people our age) can't afford the insurance on an SVT. The SVT Lightning got killed off by Ford for business reasons (which I thought was dumb, the Lightning concept was badass and probably would have sold much much better then the SRT-10 currently does). Rumors with questionable accuracy say it will be three years before the Lightning has the chance of making a comeback.