How far can I go on stock parts if I keep it on drag radials?

[cool 84]

I just had my tranny rebuilt 100 miles ago for about the 5th time in as many years. For the first time, I started turning the boost up, got it to 22psi and the tranny let go. It has no second gear whatsoever. It shifted perfect one time and nothing the next so I'm guessing it's broken, not worn. I'm only on dragradials so I thought I would be safe as long as I didn't go to slicks but I guess not. With a "proper" rebuild, how far should I be able to take this thing ET wise before needing to upgrade hard parts?

 

[2quiktocare]

Hey Matt, give me a call tomorrow buddy. Mark

 

[Hacksaw]

No second sounds like:

1. Stripped sun shell. A common 200-4R problem, but at least the improved one (a GM part) is low cost. I knew trans mechanics cursing this problem often 20 years ago, until GM woke up about this. You will also lose reverse gear as well when this strips.

2. The band broke. You will have reverse, though. I doubt it would plain burn up on just one pass, unless you have a 1,000hp motor! :biggrin:

3. Governor gear stripped off. The gear is plastic, and also has been known to fail. Again, you will still have reverse.

4. Stuck 1-2 shift valve. I hope the cooler lines were flushed, and the torque converter was replaced/rebuilt during the last rebuild. If not, you may be looking at one cause (of many) of repeated rebuilds. Even though this is a steel valve body, valves, solenoids, and pumps don't like particles.

5. TV valve stuck?? This is iffy.

Good luck.

-Mike H.

 

[cool 84]

Thanks for the input. The convertor is new, had it taken down to 3,000 stall from 3,800. Reverse is there, when dead cold, if I go extremely easy on the gas, it will hold steady speed in second like it's trying to grab but absolutely no acceleration and after a few seconds, no second at all.

I've made up my mind, I'm going with a fully built unit. With my luck, even if it made 150hp, I would still manage to break it.

 

[extranjeo]

Keep in mind that drag radials are a very effective tire. Many fellows running 8 seconds on them in the quarter mile.