Who makes the best transmission?

[SickBeast]

I realize that auto/manual throws it off, but perhaps we should just discuss that here.

 

[Kromis]

Nissan

<snicker>

 

[angry hampster]

You really included Kia and supercar makers in the same poll?

 

[SickBeast]

I was thinking about that. I guess I'm lazy. I might change the poll tomorrow.

 

[Viper GTS]

Allison? TTC (Tremec)?

Major holes in that poll.

Viper GTS

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Allison? TTC (Tremec)?

Major holes in that poll.

Viper GTS

Aisin, Getrag, etc. also.

All brands have used transmissions manufactured by different companies. The poll shouldn't be set by vehicle brand. Perhaps include an example vehicle for each transmission.

 

[Rubycon]

No ZF?

:laugh:

 

[thomsbrain]

Define "best."

Most reliable? Most intelligent automatic? Best feeling/most accurate manual? Fastest/smoothest automated manual? "Best" is so vague that it is almost impossible to answer the question.

But as for feel and accuracy in a regular manual, I dare anyone to top the unit in the S2000. (Bias fully admitted!) Rowing anything else feels like trying to ram a long spoon through a jar of frozen jelly interspersed with random chunks of metal. Not to say it's the most reliable or maintenance-free unit, or that other cars aren't better in any other respect, but writers fell over themselves trying to think of new superlatives for this shifter for a reason.

 

[cheesehead]

Stupid poll is stupid.

ZF makes gearboxes in everythings from Hyundais to Camaros to Aston-Martins. Same applies to several other manufacturers.

That said...Mazda FTW. The original Mazda3 had the best gearbox of any cheap econobox on the market. (The new Mazda3 is no longer cheap.) Sure, the S2000 or Ferrari F40 or whatever might have better, but you can't haul twelve bags of groceries in a sports coupe.

Also, the automatic gearbox on the Honda CRV was designed by bumbling dingleberries. You push down the pedal on the freeway....and nothing happens. About a second later the gearbox finally gets the message and shifts down, but by this point it's often too late to do the thing that required the additional speed in the first place. Otherwise, it's a very good car.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

For automatic:

ZF 6spd is supposedly tops and is used by BMW & Jaguar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_6HP26_transmission

For Manual:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...rner_T-56_transmission

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Allison? TTC (Tremec)?

Major holes in that poll.

Viper GTS

Aisin, Getrag, etc. also.

All brands have used transmissions manufactured by different companies. The poll shouldn't be set by vehicle brand. Perhaps include an example vehicle for each transmission.

Ricardo, Xtrac, Quaife, Weissmann, G-Force, EMCO...

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Allison? TTC (Tremec)?

Major holes in that poll.

Viper GTS

Aisin, Getrag, etc. also.

All brands have used transmissions manufactured by different companies. The poll shouldn't be set by vehicle brand. Perhaps include an example vehicle for each transmission.

Ricardo, Xtrac, Quaife, Weissmann, G-Force, EMCO...

Drove past the Noble dealer last night and thought of you. Not in that way.

 

[PricklyPete]

I haven't driven every car in the world by a long run. Of what I've driven, I've liked:

Manual: BMW, Acura (Honda), Mazda (miata specifically)

Automatic: VW/Audi (DSG), BMW...and that's it

I really hate driving automatics and really have never been happy with one. The DSG transmissions are a different story (but I only included VW/Audi above...because that is the only one I have driven). BMW seems to calibrate their automatics pretty well...so I included them...and given their competence with other components...their new DSG is probably really slick.

I voted VW/Audi above as I figured the poll more leaned toward Automatics and new technology...not good old manuals.

 

[PricklyPete]

I realize that most cars have transmissions designed by suppliers and not themselves (although there are exceptions), but the same transmission used by different companies does not always offer the same experience. These things get attached to the engines using different components, they are calibrated to a specific engine/application, and have different methods of input (for instance Porsche PDK vs. VW DSG...Porsche is probably the better unit...but those toggle buttons suck ass...and are probably there so the owner can juggle a Vanilla Skinny Latte while shifting gears...disgusting). Anyway...I don't think the supplier of the transmission is the appropriate poll...I think the final application is the correct poll...so maybe it should be cars mentioned...not manufacturers. GM has examples of some great transmissions and some abysmal transmissions.

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I realize that most cars have transmissions designed by suppliers and not themselves (although there are exceptions), but the same transmission used by different companies does not always offer the same experience. These things get attached to the engines using different components, they are calibrated to a specific engine/application, and have different methods of input (for instance Porsche PDK vs. VW DSG...Porsche is probably the better unit...but those toggle buttons suck ass...and are probably there so the owner can juggle a Vanilla Skinny Latte while shifting gears...disgusting). Anyway...I don't think the supplier of the transmission is the appropriate poll...I think the final application is the correct poll...so maybe it should be cars mentioned...not manufacturers. GM has examples of some great transmissions and some abysmal transmissions.

This.

The wording of the poll should be changed slightly. Just nitpicking.

 

[herm0016]

700r4 and t56 are 2 of the more reliable transmissions in my experience.

 

[MiataNC]

Miata or RX-8 with a short shifter is pure shifting bliss. Precise and satisfying. You feel connected to each gear/shift telepathically.

 

[overst33r]

In terms of fun. I'd say Honda/Mazda (Aisan) is tough to beat.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
In terms of fun. I'd say Honda/Mazda (Aisan) is tough to beat.

never owned a TL or an Odyssey, eh

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: RU482

Originally posted by: mariok2006
In terms of fun. I'd say Honda/Mazda (Aisan) is tough to beat.

never owned a TL or an Odyssey, eh

Damn. I just realized I never mentioned manual anywhere in my post :laugh:

 

[mwmorph]

When talking about cars, There aren't many makers of transmissions, they all fall under a few umbrellas and few companies that build cars also actually engineer and develop them, most just buy one to drop into an application)
Borg-Warner,
Aisin (partner of toyota, but also a large supplier to GM, Mazda(Miata), Honda (S2000) and Chrysler (Jeep))
Honda,
Getrag,
Transmission Technologies Corporation(Tremec),
GM,
Mercedes-Benz,
Eaton,
Buhler Motors (Bought out Dana)
Magna,
Jatco (Nissan, formerly a joint venture of Nissan and Mazda, also bought out Mitsu's Diamondmatic spin off corp) and
ZF Friedrichshafen,
(Allison was mentioned earlier, but only makes commerical truck auto trannies)

The most impressive Manual trans is probably a Tremec 6060, it's a venerable Tremec/BorgWarner T56 strengthened to hold even higher levels of power. The T56 was in the C5 Vette, Viper (400-505hp versions) and Aston Martin V12 Vanquish(01-06). The 6060 is in everything from the 2010 CTS-V to ZR1 to 600hp Viper. It
so just so reliable, durable and flexible in so many applications. It's not the smoothest shifting, but it makes up for it in being a powerhouse, a real man's transmission.

Another competitor no longer in production is the Toyota Supra Twin Turbo Getrag 233-V160/161 6 speed, a trans so overengineered, that it could hold 1000+hp reliably over long periods of time with stock internals.

As for Sequential manuals, well gotta go with the Borg Warner DSG used in just about all VW and Audis, though not as technically impressive as the Ricardo DSG(a very minor, niche trans builder single or extremely low production vehicles) in Bugatti Veyrons and Audi R10/R15, it is cheaper, quick, a know quality and mass produced.

As for auto transmissions, the 8 speed Aisin-Warner AA80E that is everywhere in the Lexus line is very impressive, if you get over the "auto trans stigma" it is a very impressive transmission that can fit a variety of applications and function equally well while giving great fuel economy.

 

[DVad3r]

Isn't Ford/Mazda like the same now?

 

[Bignate603]

SM420, 7:1 first gear

 

[Iron Woode]

going old school:

Automatic - Mopar 727

Manual 4 Speed - Mopar A833 New Process

 

[The Boston Dangler]

mwmorph,
could you tell me who made the transmission for the 2006 g35 6mt / 350z? jatco only does autos and cvt's.