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:

03 Automatic how much power will it handle?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 14, 2008 | 10:35 PM
  #1  
hotrodtp's Avatar
hotrodtp
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Default 03 Automatic how much power will it handle?

A friend of mine is trying to talk me into letting him fabricate a twin-turbo set up for my C/5. My only problem is that, I don't know how much power the trany will hold up to?? I would like to put down approx 550-600 at the wheels. So will it last??
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 01:31 AM
  #2  
Bluefire's Avatar
Bluefire
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,853
Likes: 241
From: Hillsboro OR
Default

Originally Posted by hotrodtp
A friend of mine is trying to talk me into letting him fabricate a twin-turbo set up for my C/5. My only problem is that, I don't know how much power the trany will hold up to?? I would like to put down approx 550-600 at the wheels. So will it last??
I have an 03 A4 and I highly doubt that the stock tranny will hold long under 500 - 600 rwhp. I want to add heads and a cam so I am hoping Rodney will chime in and give us the real scoop. My best guess is the that the stock tranny is good up to about 400 - 450rwhp

Rodney?

If you plan on doing some hard launches with it you might also consider upgrading the rear gears with at least a hardened output shaft and a diff/trans brace.

HTH

Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 10:42 AM
  #3  
kromberg's Avatar
kromberg
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette Colorado
Default

The 4L60E will handle about 10 rwhp over stock
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 10:56 AM
  #4  
hotrodtp's Avatar
hotrodtp
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Default

I figured the tranny was the weak link. It shifts way to SOFT>>>>
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 04:34 PM
  #5  
Andrew@MarylandSpeed's Avatar
0Andrew@MarylandSpeed
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Default

I don't think you'll be able to expect the stock tranny to last long at all with that kind of power. While your Corvette is much lighter than my GTO, my stock 4L65E was starting to take a dump on me at 20k miles.... 17k miles after the Magnacharger was installed. The past 10k miles have included a good bit of drag racing at the tracks, cutting low 1.5 60' times. The car has been putting down around 500 rwhp for the past 10k miles and the trans wasn't willing to take much more abuse.

You power won't be as brutal down low as mine, but your 2-3 and 3-4 clutches probably aren't going to hold up for too long with that kind of torque and power. Be ready to contact Frank at Performabuilt for a nicely-built transmission if you do decide to let your buddy twin-turbo your car
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 05:36 PM
  #6  
David426's Avatar
David426
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Default

4l60e is a piece of you know what.. My 99 coupe crapped out at 40k miles with 316rwhp which is around 370hp at the crank.. Have Rodney at RPM build a level IV
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:38 PM
  #7  
hotrodtp's Avatar
hotrodtp
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Default

Point Taken!! I really appreciate all of the input. I figured it wouldn't take it. Like I said it is just so soft, and all I have now is Vararam & Bassani Mufflers. Going to explore some other options. I have the car for sale anyway??
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2008 | 03:47 PM
  #8  
dankhts's Avatar
dankhts
Safety Car
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 393
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by kromberg
The 4L60E will handle about 10 rwhp over stock
I think you're being generous... it'll only handle 340 hp....
next time mine fails, it'll get replaced with an RPM tranny....
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 16, 2008 | 05:12 PM
  #9  
chaase's Avatar
chaase
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Default

Originally Posted by dankhts
I think you're being generous... it'll only handle 340 hp....
next time mine fails, it'll get replaced with an RPM tranny....
Mine has held up to 420rwhp pretty well, but 500-600 will probably break it.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 12:59 AM
  #10  
usmcrtr's Avatar
usmcrtr
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Default

SC 98/A4/3.15 with 54k 405rwhp zero problems
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 08:21 AM
  #11  
08 ATOMIC-Z's Avatar
08 ATOMIC-Z
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 34
From: King George Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by chaase
Mine has held up to 420rwhp pretty well, but 500-600 will probably break it.


Mine has 420+ RWHP and it has worked perfect 25K plus miles. I also still have the stock converter.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 05:01 PM
  #12  
verano29's Avatar
verano29
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Default

Originally Posted by kromberg
The 4L60E will handle about 10 rwhp over stock
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 05:02 PM
  #13  
verano29's Avatar
verano29
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Default

Originally Posted by hotrodtp
I figured the tranny was the weak link. It shifts way to SOFT>>>>
It's really easy to firm up the shift...bump up the line pressure. Also you can install a shift kit.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 05:11 PM
  #14  
verano29's Avatar
verano29
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Default

Also remember that with a manual the weak point is the cluctch....and a good clutch isn't cheap...nor is the install trivial. Plus this is the 21st century....manual transmissions are sooooo old school.

Rebuilding an automatic trans is pretty simple. There are a host of kits out there that can handle the kind of power you're talking about. I wouldn't worry about it. Install your turbos, when/if the transmission fails rebuild it.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 05:15 PM
  #15  
Corvette Don's Avatar
Corvette Don
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
Likes: 31
From: Wichita KS
Default

Originally Posted by verano29
Also remember that with a manual the weak point is the cluctch....and a good clutch isn't cheap...nor is the install trivial. Plus this is the 21st century....manual transmissions are sooooo old school.

Rebuilding an automatic trans is pretty simple. There are a host of kits out there that can handle the kind of power you're talking about. I wouldn't worry about it. Install your turbos, when/if the transmission fails rebuild it.
I think what you are saying is completly opposite of what it should be
Auto trans are not something I would EVER rebuild and I have had every bit of my car apart along with my buddies C6 (stall, clutch, heads, cam, you name it).
A good clutch is cheap ($400) and they are not all that bad to change out.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 03 Automatic how much power will it handle?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:27 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE