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Auto Drivetrain Weak Links

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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 12:01 AM
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Default Auto Drivetrain Weak Links

My goal is 11.99 ETs with Drag Radials and to have a bullet proof auto drivetrain. After I get the 4l60e rebuilt, are there any other weak links? Do autos need upgraded tq tubes, output shafts or require a DTE brace, or is that only for M6's? Thanks for any help.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 01:29 AM
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For 11.9's the stocker is enough. I ran 11.5's all day with a stock trans, 3600 stall tc and 3.42 gears. Only a few months ago I got it rebuilt since I want it to hold my 600hp with my new setup. For 11.9 youll be just fine. You dont need a brace, a shaft or all that stuff just yet.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by C5Natie
For 11.9's the stocker is enough. I ran 11.5's all day with a stock trans, 3600 stall tc and 3.42 gears. Only a few months ago I got it rebuilt since I want it to hold my 600hp with my new setup. For 11.9 youll be just fine. You dont need a brace, a shaft or all that stuff just yet.
Wow unbelievable! Were you running Drag Radials?
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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11.7's with 3.42s and a 3,200 yank on ET Streets here. All other trans stuff stock.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 02:30 PM
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Interesting. I've been wondering where my car would be with it's 3.42, 2800 yank, and 400 at the wheels. What power level are you guys at?
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:29 PM
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Keep in mind 4th gear is not a load bearing gear. Band only.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 04:57 PM
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460ish rwhp. I can't remember the exact number from the dyno tune.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 97C5owner
Keep in mind 4th gear is not a load bearing gear. Band only.
Do you mean that 4th gear is not used in your track run and is an overdrive gear?
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Evilash
11.7's with 3.42s and a 3,200 yank on ET Streets here. All other trans stuff stock.
How much do 3.42s and a TC cost + installation, would 1K just about cover it?
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 07:12 PM
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The output shaft of the stock tranny is the weak link. Then, the half shafts.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by TA Racer
Do you mean that 4th gear is not used in your track run and is an overdrive gear?
Yes. There is no 3-4 wot shift but if you have a tune you can program one. Just keep in mind if you hit 4th at wot you aren't doing that trans any favors. It is an overdrive gear with a band only and was not intended as a load bearing gear. High probability of failure under load.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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Wow, had no idea, thanks for the insight.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by csdunaway
The output shaft of the stock tranny is the weak link. Then, the half shafts.
I think you mean the diff output stub shafts. The CV joint shafts won't be a problem.

Peter
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by TA Racer
Wow unbelievable! Were you running Drag Radials?
First I ran Nitto 555DR's and them Mickey Thompson ET Streets. Both hooked but the MT's took less to get warm and were more consistent.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 97C5owner
Yes. There is no 3-4 wot shift but if you have a tune you can program one. Just keep in mind if you hit 4th at wot you aren't doing that trans any favors. It is an overdrive gear with a band only and was not intended as a load bearing gear. High probability of failure under load.

Yup, a couple of 150mph+ blast weakened my 4th gear until I lost it. I was driving on the freeway when I noticed it was all third gear, no 4th. I knew then it was time for a rebuild before it starts to weaken all the gears. Its a domino effect, you'll lose each one, one after another.

Dont do any shift kits either, that will speed up killing the trans even if you use a bigger servo for fourth. At about 135-140mph the car goes into 4th and a stock trans will actually suffer because of fluid pressure loss and if youre 400rwhp or more, youre just asking for trouble. That 4th gear cant hold that power at those rpms for too long.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by TA Racer
How much do 3.42s and a TC cost + installation, would 1K just about cover it?
Well the Yank TC goes for $725-950 new, depending which one you get, and you can find 3.42's off a Z06 for about $500. After that figure around $600-1000 for install, every shop is different. You can always look for good used parts too.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by csdunaway
The output shaft of the stock tranny is the weak link. Then, the half shafts.
he is referring to main shaft or tranny output shaft which connects both tranny and differencial, u can upgrade to C6 Z06 output shaft which is 30 spline and ours are 27 spline, at the same time upgrade driver side C6 shaft as well which is only 60 bucks Vs 300 for heavy duty hardened shaft.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by TA Racer
My goal is 11.99 ETs with Drag Radials and to have a bullet proof auto drivetrain. After I get the 4l60e rebuilt, are there any other weak links? Do autos need upgraded tq tubes, output shafts or require a DTE brace, or is that only for M6's? Thanks for any help.
The torque tube couplers are not that strong. Mine were all twisted up and cracked.

I ended up going with a DriveShaft Company inner tube and having EastCoast Performance (Mike) bore my two end pieces out to hold 12mm bushings. I did a stock rubber one up front and a billet one in the rear.

Also did RPM Flex-Plate / Spline combo, Quicktime BellHousing and a few other extra's.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ajg1915
The torque tube couplers are not that strong. Mine were all twisted up and cracked.

I ended up going with a DriveShaft Company inner tube and having EastCoast Performance (Mike) bore my two end pieces out to hold 12mm bushings. I did a stock rubber one up front and a billet one in the rear.

Also did RPM Flex-Plate / Spline combo, Quicktime BellHousing and a few other extra's.

Wow!!!

I had Mike Yeager order my a larger propeller shaft as well, and bored out my two end pieces to 12MM! He also installed a new stock rubber coupling up front and the billet one in the rear! Mike even did the RPM Flex plate / Spline combo and the Quicktime Bellhousing!

I also had my 4L60E swapped out for a new RPM Level 6+ 4L65E, and a new RPM Level 3 3.42 diff, and a Vigalante 3-disc 2600 stall converter!

All this was done at Corvettes and Classics by Joey Cartee. Mike was the specifier and purchaser.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by csdunaway
Wow!!!

I had Mike Yeager order my a larger propeller shaft as well, and bored out my two end pieces to 12MM! He also installed a new stock rubber coupling up front and the billet one in the rear! Mike even did the RPM Flex plate / Spline combo and the Quicktime Bellhousing!

I also had my 4L60E swapped out for a new RPM Level 6+ 4L65E, and a new RPM Level 3 3.42 diff, and a Vigalante 3-disc 2600 stall converter!

All this was done at Corvettes and Classics by Joey Cartee. Mike was the specifier and purchaser.
I'll be going with the C6 Z06 rear differential and pretty much the same tranny and converter you went with.

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