Automatic vs Manual Transmission Fox Body Mustangs – Which is Better?

• City drivers can benefit from automatics without having to shift in stop and go traffic
• Less accessory parts to replace in an automatic
• Drag racers sometimes use automatics to eliminate shifting times
• Driving a manual provides greater RPM control for better MPG
• Greater driver feel with a manual trans
• Less power lost through the drivetrain with a manual

Nowadays, automatic transmissions are commonly found in most vehicles, even many sports and muscle cars like the Mustang. This is probably due to most daily drivers are multi tasking while driving or are simply looking for an easier, hassle-free commute. Shifting with a spare hand and not being able to rest the left foot all the time simply isn't an option for some.

Other than convenience, automatic transmissions take away the doubt of “missing a gear” or shifting at an incorrect time. Without having to worry about such things there is usually no need to replace things such as clutches or any other mechanical linkages found within the manual transmission world.

What about driving my Mustang like a Mustang? Stock automatic transmissions in Foxbody Mustangs only allow you a drive in gears 1, 2 and an over drive. There isn’t much else you can do to change gears other then pushing the pedal to the floor.

Often to some people’s surprise, there are many drivers who prefer to drag race with automatic transmissions because, as we discussed earlier, the probability of missing a shift has been eliminated, and with a tuned car you will be shifting as your Mustang peaks in performance, resulting in perfect shifts and more consistent times.

To take a step in a different direction and replace your Fox Body’s stock shifter, many automatic drivers switch to what is called a hammer or ratchet shifter. These allow the driver to take as much control as possible by using all available gear options by simply ratcheting through the drive options. 

Essentially manually shifting the car between gears without the need for a cutch pedal. Ratchet style shifters are a safe, reliable way to get a manual feel while retaining some of the benefits that come with an automatic Mustang.

When it comes to the driver being in tune with their car, a manual transmission can't be beat. Manual transmissions allow for gear changes to be made solely at the driver’s discretion, for good or ill. A manual transmission utilizes more of an engine's power than an automatic transmission as less power is lost throughout the drivetrain, resulting in slightly more power at the wheels.

Manual transmissions—if driven and shifted according to the owner’s manual—can increase MPG fuel consumption over what would be seen with an automatic transmission. This is mainly due to user controlled transmission shifts and greater control over engine RPM.

When it comes to performance upgrades, the list goes on a bit longer than an automatic transmission, such as different stages of clutch upgrades and also personal preferences on shifting setups. Keep in mind manual transmissions are only beneficial if shifts are performed without error and at the car’s peak performance points. Not only will error-free shifting allow your car to perform better, it will also save you money on costly transmission replacement parts that wear quickly if not driven correctly.

Just like many performance options for the Fox Body or any other Mustang, the final choice comes down simply to personal preference. The pro and cons need to be weighed and it’s up to the future driver to decide which is more suitable to his/her desires for the car. No matter what choice you make, both manual and automatic Fox Body Mustangs have a huge backing of performance parts to help you customize your ride.

Automatic transmissions, while not as easy to modify as manual transmissions, can be upgraded for better performance. For starters, a tune can aid in changing shift points and firmness as well.

For something more aggressive than a tune changing shift points, a Jmod can change up how the transmission shifts entirely. Jmod is named after a Ford transmission engineer who helped create these mods. Not only does it improve shifting (by modifying the valve body) it also puts less wear and tear on the transmission itself.