This is basically correct.
Final gear ratio is not everything but I stand by vt's statement as well.

Others will have to do a search on this - there is too much info to start ellaborating on this subject > check our member Znod for his comprehensive posts on this !!

The final gear ratio from the 6 series is still on my mind 3.45

 

BMW increased the final drive ratio to make up for something, which was probably a loss of torque through the automatic (compared to the manual). With good tire prep and a gutted CDV, the manual/smg can do things that automatic can't do without a high stall torque converter. I'm not saying the Step can't be faster stock to stock, but they do tend to come with a higher cost to power. If anything I bet he put down some slow 60' times, which would account for a lot of time off his ET.

 

The fastest 0-60 times posted on here have all - and by some margin - been with the steptronic.

 

Put the 3.38 gearset and you will see the result .
The steptronic is faster on the 0-60 because with steptronic you can precharge the transmission, keeping the left foot on the brakes and accelerate with the right foot .
Like charging a spring!

 

Yep, that's the stall I'm talking about. The manual is mechnically limited from launching hard, which could make a profound difference in time from zero to whatever.

 

Did anyone go to track? What was best time on quarter STOCK???

 

Yea becasue the majority of them have been with a step. There is a lot of technique to driving an SMG to extract all of its power, just like in a 6 speed manual. Its not just stomp your foot down and go as it is with a step. If I knew someone with a 550 step in my area, I would be happy to compare.

 

I still suspect the step would be considerably quicker. There's as much technique required to launch a step - very few owners got close to Znod or Grogan. Getting good times in a step requires more than stomp and go.

 

Wow! My 2002 540 auto was faster - 14.3/96 mph and I am by no means an exert inn drag racing. Only 7-8 runs altogether. BTW with the same overly optimistic G-tech Pro I've got 0-60mph time of 5.71sec for 540, 5.11 for 545 and 4.96 for 550. So 545 should have much better 1/4 mile time than 540. All my cars had an auto tranny though.

 

unless your a very good driver, a step will beat a manual. I have ran run toooooooo many runs down a 1/4 mile track to the point were I really don't think .1 .2 makes a difference unless you are on the track. This is back by winning and loosing alot of money learing this. Yes it was w/ american muscle (1990 mustang w/ 375 hp) but I feel that track time is track time. One thing you have to remember is an auto is programed to do the same every time compared to a manual/smg does not, it listens to the driver. Yes a SMG will rip off shifts at xxx milliseconds but when you are talking 330-360 hp your not going to see HUGE gains from that. Removing 330-360hp form the rear wheels for .01 more will not end your day..... to that wiith 500 and yes you will see a difference. YES the SMG IS A SUPERIOR TRANS but for consistency you will be hard pressed to beat an auto. Here is an example which will not do much for many except the real gear heads... there was a late 60's camaro which had an auto but replaced the torque converter with a clutch. Essentially it was a variable stall converter. He beat everyone because he had the ability to vary the launch and let the auto take over..... I know I will catch alot of S@*t for this but my experience says that the SMG/Manual will not always win


just remember... my 90 mustang started w/ 225hp and when I was done i had 375 w/ out a blower and I kept the 302 displacement