A4 launching and reliability
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
A4 launching and reliability
Guys, I want to enjoy my Vette, but I don't wanna break anything! :eek:
Is flooring an A4 from idle (which, effectively, is the same as popping the clutch at 1,600rpm on a stick) subjecting the bands in the tranny to excess wear? I'm sure an A4 tranny rebuild is more expensive than a replacement clutch on a stick-shift, so just thought I'd ask the question. I like having an A4 cuz I don't have a clutch to worry about, but are there other parts of an A4 tranny that will wear-out given a few hard launches? Also, is brake-stalling (stock TC) harmful to the tranny? I don't drive my car hard all the time, but it's nice to launch it at the odd set of traffic lights, etc just for kicks! :)
Is flooring an A4 from idle (which, effectively, is the same as popping the clutch at 1,600rpm on a stick) subjecting the bands in the tranny to excess wear? I'm sure an A4 tranny rebuild is more expensive than a replacement clutch on a stick-shift, so just thought I'd ask the question. I like having an A4 cuz I don't have a clutch to worry about, but are there other parts of an A4 tranny that will wear-out given a few hard launches? Also, is brake-stalling (stock TC) harmful to the tranny? I don't drive my car hard all the time, but it's nice to launch it at the odd set of traffic lights, etc just for kicks! :)
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Re: A4 launching and reliability (i_york)
As long as you stay with the stock motor, you should not have any problems driving in the fashion you describe. The forum members that are having tranny problems seem to be the ones with heavily modded motors and a lot more HP. I have almost 30K on my A4 with MANY autoX runs and several days at the drag strip. NO problems at all other than a pan gasket leak fixed under warranty. Change the fluid and filter more often than GM recommends to be safe. :D
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: A4 launching and reliability (i_york)
I have 450 1/4 passes mostly on drag radials at the race track with a 50K mile transmission and it is showing no signs of weekness.....................yet
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Cary Il
Re: A4 launching and reliability (i_york)
Launching from "dead idle" or brake torquing to 1500RPM is the way to go - shut off TC - The weakest point in your setup is the third gear band/clutch part of the tranny - you should get 2-3 years before you need a rebuild with a basically stock motor - service the tranny EVERY YEAR don't cheap out!
JR :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya
JR :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
Re: A4 launching and reliability (JR-CRUZN-C5)
you should get 2-3 years before you need a rebuild with a basically stock motor - service the tranny EVERY YEAR don't cheap out!
