[V8] 5spd impressions

[Buchholz, Steven]

...yup!  That's why I've got 2 of 'em!  

I made my choice after getting together with a couple of local Audifan buddies ... both of which had 200q20v cars, one sedan, one Avant ... one of the two was chipped.  We all ran the gamut of the cars ... for my taste the off the line torque of the V8 made the others pale in comparison ... so much so I was surprised.  I am a huge fan of the Avant body style though, and that's why I've got the goal of building a 200q Avant with a V8 ... already got both the engine and a 6-speed tranny already in the garage.  If anyone knows about a 200Q Avant in good shape for sale let me know!

One interesting note ... I do have an automatic engine in #2 right now, and it really doesn't seem to be as quick at #344.  John Brasil said he thought that it had one cylinder that wasn't working well ... could be, the engine does not have the smoothest idle ... need to do a compression check to see.  It does make me wonder about that cam difference between the two PT versions though.  I've got all the parts to put 5-speed heads on the engine ... someday ...

OBTW, I got an e-mail the other day from someone who said they were looking to sell a 5-speed V8 and got my name from Graydon Stuckey's old website.  I think the car is back east somewhere ... perhaps NJ.  I suggested that they post the marketplace, but haven't seen it yet.  If anyone is interested shoot me a line and I'll forward the message.  

Steve B
San José, CA (USA)

>  if any of you are still talking too me ;->..I got
> some seat of the pants impressions on driving an Auto
> VS 5spd.
> Impression #1...(& the only Impression) is....MAN
> nothing like a 5spd!!!!!! Just freaking loving it!
> 
>  Case in point..& I know he's going to piss & moan
> about whatever..thats why I won't mention his
> name...but we were both driving round & he had an
> apportunity to pass me..well I seen his little sneak
> attach & said "Nope not going too & didn't happen". My
> "friend" has a 92 4.2 IA chipped V8 & the 5spd just
> wouldn't let him pass me...the 5spd is WAY torquier
> than the 4.2! Power comes on at 3,200 RPM & just
> doesn't stop! But I tell you & the 5spd V8 owners may
> agree with me on this but the POWER really comes on at
> 4,200 PRM! Feels like a freaking rocket!
> 
>  I could go on & on....& ON with why the 5spd is just
> a way better car..but I won't :-)
>  & I could go on &on....& ON about how I got the deal
> of the Century..which I did..but I won't. I will say
> that I have big plans now.