How much HP???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: WV
I would think there would be to many variables to give an accurate answer... How you drive is real important, rear gear ratio, which tires you chose also figure into the calculation,.. If you have tires that hookup well it would put much more strain on the drivetrain then tires that spin easily.. When I put my 383 in my 89 I went to a stage 2 trans that would handle 500hp just so I wouldn't have to worry .. Also with slicks at the track that D36 and stock trans won't last very long with more torque....WW
Last edited by WW7; Dec 12, 2012 at 07:23 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
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HP never breaks things, its the torque that breaks it.
It is too ambiguous to give you a solid number where the tranny and D36 rear axle will break. These things tend to blow whenever they choose to do so.
If you hook up really well on a launch, the rear could obliterate itself with 350-400lb feet. If you put slicks on it, the thing could even blow at stock power level. It might survive 1000 1/4 mi passes or it may not last 2. Its all about the instantaneous torque delivered to a part. For 'normal' daily use the 36 would be fine for awhile however.
The 700r4 could also bite the dust whenever it wants to. Mine survived 500lbft for daily use, but I was already saving for the day when it blew, which eventually it would've had I not lost the car to the accident.
But I would say that if you plan to push over 400lbft you should already be planning a future upgrade of the tranny and D36, particularly if you race it.
It is too ambiguous to give you a solid number where the tranny and D36 rear axle will break. These things tend to blow whenever they choose to do so.
If you hook up really well on a launch, the rear could obliterate itself with 350-400lb feet. If you put slicks on it, the thing could even blow at stock power level. It might survive 1000 1/4 mi passes or it may not last 2. Its all about the instantaneous torque delivered to a part. For 'normal' daily use the 36 would be fine for awhile however.
The 700r4 could also bite the dust whenever it wants to. Mine survived 500lbft for daily use, but I was already saving for the day when it blew, which eventually it would've had I not lost the car to the accident.
But I would say that if you plan to push over 400lbft you should already be planning a future upgrade of the tranny and D36, particularly if you race it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
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From: Cincinnati oh
Cool thanks good info, I am not sure what rear end (ehat ever was stock in 85) the trans was rebuilt a couple years ago and is a 700r4. I guess i will stick to my original plan to go about 350hp 350-375tq, that should be enough to get me in trouble
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Assuming you're still planning on buying a crate motor with those advertised specs, you'll be perfectly OK with your current drivetrain.
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From: moraga ca
I think the 36 will hold up well with street tires and an auto. It won't really matter how much hp you have, the street tires will fry before something breaks (for a while anyway). As far the stupid suggestion about taping the twisted halfshaft above, the only way that could possibly work is to make sure you swap ends so they unravel on acceleration.
Last edited by 383vett; Dec 12, 2012 at 07:12 PM.
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Wouldnt worry about it just build it drive it if something happens it happens. Might not.
Race Director
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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If you didn't bump it up enough to worry about breaking something, did you really do enough?
Team Owner
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From: Phila., PA burbs
I'm not positive, but I think that's from Vic'89's car. If not his then it's very similar to what his did at the track one day. IIRC both sides broke in the same manner on the same launch. I believe he was still running stock heads/cam at that point and was somewhere in the area of 350 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels. Vic's car has been down the track many, many times with even more power than this, so I'm sure what caused the carnage on that one particular run.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Nampa Idaho
Cool thanks good info, I am not sure what rear end (ehat ever was stock in 85) the trans was rebuilt a couple years ago and is a 700r4. I guess i will stick to my original plan to go about 350hp 350-375tq, that should be enough to get me in trouble
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
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From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
On my 85 Just adding headers cold air intake and adjustable fuel pressure regulator to get 45-50 psi and knocking a second of the quarter mile time killed my trans very quickly.
However have since put a blower on and went h/d with the T700R4 rebuild i have got two or three years out of my last trans, the half shafts tend to save the trans and D36 they twist easily. Have had steel half shafts made and my D36 has put up with 8 psi boost for the last 6 years.
The blower is now boosting a new 383 so will see how it goes
If the D36 spits the dummy then i will put the D44 in
However have since put a blower on and went h/d with the T700R4 rebuild i have got two or three years out of my last trans, the half shafts tend to save the trans and D36 they twist easily. Have had steel half shafts made and my D36 has put up with 8 psi boost for the last 6 years.
The blower is now boosting a new 383 so will see how it goes
If the D36 spits the dummy then i will put the D44 in