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:

max hp for a stock A4?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 08:59 AM
  #1  
maroman88's Avatar
maroman88
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Oradell New Jersey
Default max hp for a stock A4?

looking to do some mods this winter, cam and long tubes, wondering how much the stock A4 can handle, car isnt raced often, maybe once a year and has 82k on it
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 01:30 PM
  #2  
Bluefire's Avatar
Bluefire
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,896
Likes: 268
From: Hillsboro OR
Default

Originally Posted by maroman88
looking to do some mods this winter, cam and long tubes, wondering how much the stock A4 can handle, car isnt raced often, maybe once a year and has 82k on it
The max numbers I have heard tossed around are:

450 hp/350 tq
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 02:05 PM
  #3  
torchvette10's Avatar
torchvette10
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 2
From: London(UK)/Troyes(France)
Default

Originally Posted by Bluefire
The max numbers I have heard tossed around are:

450 hp/350 tq
If you go higher than that, it's better to be ready for a new tranny sooner than later
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 06:37 PM
  #4  
maroman88's Avatar
maroman88
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Oradell New Jersey
Default

not baddd, we talkin rwhp or at the flywheel? i think ill be safe either way (for now)
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 07:56 PM
  #5  
Blow Torch's Avatar
Blow Torch
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
Default

I was well over 400rwhp (490whp) for over 5 years (running drag radials) with no issues.
I'm close to 700rwhp now but of course I know it's just a matter of time.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 08:29 PM
  #6  
motogib1's Avatar
motogib1
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
Default

I've been running in the 420 rwhp range with a high stall for a good while. It does help to have a tranny cooler if your running a stall. Based on what I had read, I thought mine would bite the dust in no time. Surprisingly it has hung in there through quite a few 1/4 mile runs. Its been thrown around that 400ft-lbs torque is the limit, but the 490 rwhp post is encouraging.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 08:57 PM
  #7  
road pilot's Avatar
road pilot
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

I ran 3 years with 550rwhp and 500 torq before replaceing the
tranny. You also will need to replace your driveshaft couplers.
Mine lasted 3 years.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 09:24 PM
  #8  
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

A4 is weak.. 320rwhp on my 99 38k miles and it was fried.. Talk to Rodney at RPM.. He will hook you up.. Heat is the killer... Anything over 210 degrees is not good.. Do a couple of hard runs on the highway and see what your tranny temp is... It does not take much to heat up fast... A tranny cooler will help for awhile. RPM Transmissions has made a fortune on Forum members with the A4 transmissions.. Its the weak link in the C5.. A lot of folks claim big numbers on their A4, but you have to remember most of these cars have had several owners and have probably already had an upgraded rebuild somewhere down the line, and the current owners are unaware

Last edited by David426; Oct 18, 2010 at 09:31 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To max hp for a stock A4?

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:45 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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