How much power can the drivetrain take?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 245
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From: Raleigh NC
How much power can the drivetrain take?
Topic says it all. I'm planning on dropping in a 500+hp engine into the 'vette, and I was wondering if I was going to have a few gears fly at the cars around me when I floored it. It's a 1981 auto.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: How much power can the drivetrain take? (Enkil)
With only 500 hp, you'll be fine. :lol:
Just kidding... many people around here are running 500-550 with the stock drivetrain, as long as it's in good shape. If your trans, rear, u-joints, etc., have 100k on them, you may be in trouble.
Just kidding... many people around here are running 500-550 with the stock drivetrain, as long as it's in good shape. If your trans, rear, u-joints, etc., have 100k on them, you may be in trouble.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: How much power can the drivetrain take? (Enkil)
You can put 700 HP in your car and you'll be fine - as long as you don't run slicks or drag radials... As long as the tires spin - you are ok.. If you hook up with Slicks or Drag Radials - 450 HP could already be too much... I have 465 HP and have all new U-joints.. and I'm very worried about breaking stuff because I run Drag Radials on the strip...
:cheers:
Olivier
:cheers:
Olivier
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Gurnee Il
Re: How much power can the drivetrain take? (Flareside)
it will take enough except on a sticky track. Invest in half shaft loops, rebuilt or cusom half shafts and new u-jouins. Had a fun tow trusk ride home in a vette with 3 wheels. Broken u joint caused the half shaft to swing around and mutilate everything in its path. tons and tons of damage. just go through the rear end and components to be safe. "better safe than sorry". :nonod:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,355
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From: Germantown Maryland
Re: How much power can the drivetrain take? (Enkil)
Mine was too much at thre track. Broke a 1/2 shaft universal and bent and mangled 1/2 shaft, all flanges, spindle etc. You get the picture. If you lock, something will break unless you maintain it meticulously, and might anyway.
Chris
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: How much power can the drivetrain take? (Enkil)
Pushing 475-500hp from mine,and so far so good.However the engine is still fresh so I've been fairly easy on it.An ocassional blast is all.I imagine by spring with the 1.60 rockers in and fine tuning I'll be singing a different tune.
