C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A4 Breaking Point?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 04:01 AM
  #1  
gr8vet's Avatar
gr8vet
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Vettemod.com For the C3 People
St. Jude Donor '06
Default A4 Breaking Point?

When upgrading HP for fun, not serious track use, what is the weak point(s) on the A4 tranny? Looking to go to 500/500 HP Torq level.

Clutches? Cooling? etc.


Thanks in advance

tt
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 04:17 AM
  #2  
Justin-Sane's Avatar
Justin-Sane
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 3
From: Tulsa oklahoma
Default

500/500rwhp/tq SHOULD be OK for DRIVING use. but if you do go to the track, try to stay away from drag radials with hard sidewalls. like nittos for example.

and of course you dont need to worry about clutches since you don't have one.

cooling should be good also.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 08:35 AM
  #3  
gr8vet's Avatar
gr8vet
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Vettemod.com For the C3 People
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

Thanks,

Guess need to see what one upgrades on tranny to handle more HP, clutch packs to Kevlar, bell housing support?

OK, the real question, whats it gonna cost when it breaks to have a rebuild that will handle 500/500 at the track
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 08:44 AM
  #4  
bigleman's Avatar
bigleman
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Stn Mtn GA
Default

Originally Posted by gr8vet
Thanks,

Guess need to see what one upgrades on tranny to handle more HP, clutch packs to Kevlar, bell housing support?

OK, the real question, whats it gonna cost when it breaks to have a rebuild that will handle 500/500 at the track
It all depends on how you drive

Mine went out at 82k with only intake and exhaust.
I'm having it built right now.
I dont know what trans sponsers are on here, but i'm using one of the BIG ones from LS1tech (pm me for details)
For 500/500 expect to spend between $1800 and $2500 depending on labor.
You'll prob want to do a little more than clutch packs and bell support.
My 3/4 clutches started slipping real bad and i think G said the planetary gears were showing A LOT of wear.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 09:19 AM
  #5  
Clay Assassin's Avatar
Clay Assassin
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 2
From: Elgin Il
Default

RPM transmissions is an excellent trans vendor.
With 500 and 500 you are living on borrowed time. So it all depends how you drive.

My A4 is supercharged with those same numbers, and I have about 10-15k miles on the supercharger.
No trans work yet.

If you slam it every day, you will kill it in a few months. If you just drive it, it's anyone's guess. I would take the 2k and put it in the bank.
That way when you blow it, you can just fix it. RPM suggested I not waste my money on an upgrade until it goes.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 09:50 AM
  #6  
jon c's Avatar
jon c
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 20
From: guthrie oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by Clay_Assassin
RPM transmissions is an excellent trans vendor.
With 500 and 500 you are living on borrowed time. So it all depends how you drive.

My A4 is supercharged with those same numbers, and I have about 10-15k miles on the supercharger.
No trans work yet.

If you slam it every day, you will kill it in a few months. If you just drive it, it's anyone's guess. I would take the 2k and put it in the bank.
That way when you blow it, you can just fix it. RPM suggested I not waste my money on an upgrade until it goes.
IMO that is very respectible of RPM to tell you that they could have just said yes you better get it done just to get a job
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 10:49 AM
  #7  
bigleman's Avatar
bigleman
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Stn Mtn GA
Default

From the research i've done, it's not really the power level (to a point) but the RPMs your running through the trans.
I forget which part (LS1tech's Auto section has TONS of info) but it has a hard time holding 7,000 rpm shifts.
Heat and RPMs are probably what kill the most autos
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 02:18 PM
  #8  
tiojames's Avatar
tiojames
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Default

I'm running well over 500 RWHP and have had no trouble with everyday driving and an occasional bit of spirited driving. Andy told me as long as I stay away from drag slicks the tranny should be OK. They did redo the tranny pressure, shift time, and shift points to add a little durability to the trans.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 03:04 PM
  #9  
gr8vet's Avatar
gr8vet
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Vettemod.com For the C3 People
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

Good deal guys, thanks for all the input. I have stiffened up all my shift points where it slams into next gear, i.e. no easy slipping shifts. (of course that is just pushing the problem into another area) Looking into a tranny cooler right now.

I'll keep you guys posted when and If she goes, 51K right now, no problems, yet........

Turbo's in shipping right now.

I spoke with friend of mine few minutes ago, had problems in the 3-4 area too. He likes to do alot of 4-3 shifting on the interstate. Pushing 585HP; now rebuilt tranny, stroked motor, now has 650HP.

Thanks for ls1 tech info.

Thanks again!
tt
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To A4 Breaking Point?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:28 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE