If I take my 2002 SS to the drag strip and put in drive and go, does it hurt my transmission? Also how much horsepower can a factory a4 handle and last? Thanks for any input that is given. Our car has 35000 miles on it, and is in very good shape. We have taken it to the dragstrip once, it is factory with a couple of the install university free mods. It ran 13.5 at 103 mph the temp was 100 degrees. I feel it would be close to 12.9 in cooler temp, with smoother track, I just don't want to hurt it.

 

Man u should't have any problems. My 02 just turned 60K and I just started modding it including 4K stall and running it on slicks at the strip. However if you are worried about hurting it you should't race it. I am a firm believer of the theory that most people are harder on their cars on the street than at the track. Just my $0.02

 

Not to hijack the thread kruthes1 how do you like the Fuddle? Does it feel really loose?

 

I am extremely happy with it. This is my first stalled car so i don't really have any other point of ref. but it was a shock when we got it off of the lift and I drove it the first time. I got used to it within a couple of days and would't have it any other way even if I did have to rive it daily. Only been to the track once and was very happy with it there too.

 

Yeah, I feel exactly the same. When I first drove my car I wondered what the hell I was thinking, but i'm used to it and don't mind it at all.

 

I think our transmissions can hold up to 400RWHP reliably with a shift kit and cooler. With that said I am sure some have had problems with their tranny's on a stock car. The more HP you add the more chance you have of breaking parts. What fun is it though if you are always worried about breaking stuff? It doesn't look like you are even close to 400 so enjoy it.

 

Not enough to keep me from doing it Anytime you go WOT it puts a little more stress on the tranny but the number one killer is heat so just keep the tranny cool (don't hot lap too much and use a 24K cooler with any 3000+ converter) and you'll be fine.

I agree with 400 rwhp as being a stock 4L60Es limit. Beyond that you're begging for trouble. Personally I am a firm believer that if you stay with just bolt-ons (360 rwhp or less) then you'll be fine on a stock transmission. Once you start looking at a cam, heads & cam and or N20 then you'd be wise to invest in a profesionally built 4L60E, 4L80E or TH400. Rock-on and FLP are two of the top names around here for such upgrades.

Grats on hitting 13's your first time out. Back when I was stock I ran 13.5 @ 103 in heat (90+ degrees). It also ran 13.2 @ 105 in very cold air (50 degrees) but average nights(75-85 degrees and some humidity) were 13.3-13.4 @ 104. I figure your car has a 13.1 in it right now under better conditions but if you want 12.9's then I would invest in a lid and cutout.

As far as hurting it goes, just run it and have fun. I have ran my car at least 150 passes over 3 years and I havn't broken anything yet other then former best ET's and a few sets of rear tires

Good Luck

 

from what iv seen trannys are all different iv seen people with stock cars have their trannys take a dump and iv seen people with 400rwhp run their stock trannys with no poblems(lucky sob's lol) its a give and take situation

 

I think I will add a tranny cooler and call it a day!

 

Agreed. I added some bolt-on's and a 4k stall with 80k. Tranny started slipping in 3/4 before I could even get some new times. I should be running 11.7's-12.0's. Other guys run mid-low 11's on the stock tranny (Yes, lucky SOB's). Saving for a CPT rebuild now..

 

Dont forget maintence, if you are running around on burnt fluid it only gets worse.

I have currently about 10 track runs on my stock tranny with 59k miles on it, still shifts perfectly everytime.