Being as fast as a manual isn't so hard.
In fact, I raced a stock manual and beat him pretty bad last night. Probaly in the range of 2 cars or so. But he was stock, bone stock - not even an intake.

Despite anything you do - a manual w/ the same mods as you will most always be faster.

Final drive gears and a shift kit will get you close to an average manual driver. A nasty driver will still walk you though.

I'm not too sure on how much a torque converter will add or do. Perhaps that is something to look into :


black 97 eclipse a/t
nakayama cai
cat-back exhaust
final drive gears
afx udp