What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,629
Likes: 16
From: York PA
What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure
Hi,
Newbe here. I want to mod. my 97 LS1 just enough so stock A4 tranny/drivetrain will surrive till PHASE II. I now have LGM long tubes w/cats, B&B cat backs, Vararam & LS6 intake, 342 gears, SS3600TC. No tuning as of yet (on the list )
Question is can I only add a cam or heads/cam now without breaking the A4.
Newbe here. I want to mod. my 97 LS1 just enough so stock A4 tranny/drivetrain will surrive till PHASE II. I now have LGM long tubes w/cats, B&B cat backs, Vararam & LS6 intake, 342 gears, SS3600TC. No tuning as of yet (on the list )
Question is can I only add a cam or heads/cam now without breaking the A4.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 80
From: NC
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure (4DRUSH)
How many miles do you have on the tranny? The A4 in my tranny died last week after 110,832 miles. I've opted to replace it with a FLP Level IV tranny prior to upgrading the engine.
It will only be a matter of time for a tranny failure after a cam upgrade. Best to just go ahead and build the tranny up first. I'm sure losing a tranny just after you spent a good chunk on money on the engine would not be a good feeling to have.
It will only be a matter of time for a tranny failure after a cam upgrade. Best to just go ahead and build the tranny up first. I'm sure losing a tranny just after you spent a good chunk on money on the engine would not be a good feeling to have.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure (4DRUSH)
The A4 breakpoint is unfortunately ver unpredictable. I got 55K miles and 450 1/4 passes on mine before it could not take it anymore. I have seen guys break theirs withing weeks of modding not drag racing.
Said to say, it is a crap shoot
Said to say, it is a crap shoot
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 0
From: Tyler TX
Re: What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure (4DRUSH)
That's a hard one to call !
:yesnod:
Hi,
Newbe here. I want to mod. my 97 LS1 just enough so stock A4 tranny/drivetrain will surrive till PHASE II. I now have LGM long tubes w/cats, B&B cat backs, Vararam & LS6 intake, 342 gears, SS3600TC. No tuning as of yet (on the list )
Question is can I only add a cam or heads/cam now without breaking the A4.
Newbe here. I want to mod. my 97 LS1 just enough so stock A4 tranny/drivetrain will surrive till PHASE II. I now have LGM long tubes w/cats, B&B cat backs, Vararam & LS6 intake, 342 gears, SS3600TC. No tuning as of yet (on the list )
Question is can I only add a cam or heads/cam now without breaking the A4.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Re: What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure (4DRUSH)
I've always heard that it is around 390-400 RWHP. Once you reach that point its not a question of if, but when your stock A4 tranny will go.
With the long tubes and if you go heads and cam, depending on how aggressive and then throw in the tuning on top of that, plus you already have the torque converter. Do you have a tranny cooler now? What kinds of tranny fluid temps are you running now?
If you go through with your planned mods you "might" get another year out of your stock A4 tranny depending on how you drive, how aggressive a head cam package you go with, and how many miles are already on it.
[Modified by EB20003, 1:48 AM 2/29/2004]
With the long tubes and if you go heads and cam, depending on how aggressive and then throw in the tuning on top of that, plus you already have the torque converter. Do you have a tranny cooler now? What kinds of tranny fluid temps are you running now?
If you go through with your planned mods you "might" get another year out of your stock A4 tranny depending on how you drive, how aggressive a head cam package you go with, and how many miles are already on it.
[Modified by EB20003, 1:48 AM 2/29/2004]
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Re: What's the break point for engine mods vs. A4 failure (pettrix)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=288663
I don't know if the 2004 Vettes have transmision coolers.
I don't know if the 2004 Vettes have transmision coolers.