Automatic Transmission 2-Speed thru 10-Speed GM Autos | Converters | Shift Kits
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

th400 sprags??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 05:57 PM
  #1  
RDTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: beebe, AR
Default th400 sprags??

is there anything better than the 34 teeth ones? We have a 400 and it lasted 20 passes the first time. andafter the rebuild it lasted 4. Keep breaking the sprag for second gear. Any help would be nice.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 08:58 PM
  #2  
TJ's Avatar
TJ
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
Default

a stock th400 unit should be holding up for you, something is wrong somewhere.
tci makes a 36 element sprag now, but its not gonna be any stronger than a 34. just a lil update they seen fit i guess.
good luck with it.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 09:03 PM
  #3  
RDTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: beebe, AR
Default

thats what I figure. Its actually in a lighting. But it was suppost to be built to handle the power. but I guess not. Or the tranny builder is making short cuts, and charging out the ***. I mean its just a little 5.4 with a gt47-88.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 09:07 PM
  #4  
WE TODD DID's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 290
Default

Originally Posted by TJ
a stock th400 unit should be holding up for you, something is wrong somewhere.
tci makes a 36 element sprag now, but its not gonna be any stronger than a 34. just a lil update they seen fit i guess.
good luck with it.
Nah, thats the week point in a 400. He might not be putting the 34 element in it though.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 09:24 PM
  #5  
RDTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: beebe, AR
Default

we looked at the last one and that is what was in it. so its breaking the good ones. i figure the drum is bad, or has a bad spot. but im no trans expert.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 07:56 AM
  #6  
FLT's Avatar
FLT
FormerVendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,620
Likes: 4
From: Wood Dale, Illinois
Default

I would try a different drum along with the outer race. There is a super hold sprag drum available although it is big bucks.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 02:17 PM
  #7  
TJ's Avatar
TJ
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
Default

Originally Posted by WE TODD DID
Nah, thats the week point in a 400. He might not be putting the 34 element in it though.
i didnt know he was working on a powerful setup in a heavy truck. lacking info, i went off the information in his sig.
and your right, it is the week point in the tranny.
ive blown up 2 of them myself.
spinning the tires and shifting into second is what my builder says is the problem.
all the street fun.
i have been informed to give as lil throttle as possible in my burnout at the track(enough to get above the converter) and then give it power once its into 2nd gear.
this goes back to what i said earlier about breaking them. he says its too much of a shock and they ballon?? out.
good luck mang.
sounds like a nasty setup.
did you initally pic up with the th400 due to the massive weight reduction?
got a buddy here i razz about doing the swap, but he wants to keep OD.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 04:34 PM
  #8  
8a8mfh's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
Default

Is he using the sprag and race? I have a bunch of old drums with 16 element sprags, they sell the sprags seperate, the stock race won't hold much because it's not hardened.
I used to have a '88 Sierra 2500 that would beat lightnings easy. Broke two rollers with that, then went with a 34 element 4L80E drum, etc, the races on those are slightly wider. like .040 but I didn't break another one.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 05:42 PM
  #9  
RDTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: beebe, AR
Default

I dont know what drum the builder is using. But will find out. The truck is alittle heavy, 3600lbs. But We are running a 3.73 gear and a 275/60 dr. But the truck picked up a lot with the swap. But we also went to the new motor/turbo combo to. But thanks for the info guys, keep it coming if u can think of more.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:32 PM
  #10  
Frank02L's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Central AR
Default

Thanks guys for the info. The truck isnt really any heavier than a "full weight" type F body. The builder just told me to put in in high gear during the burnout. Maybe I dont need to get into the boost really until its in high gear, maybe I can do that... Actually just listening to the vid it may not be getting into the turbo until high gear.

Burnout

For the record, the ensuing pass

sucky 10.90@131 or something with a 2.09 60'
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:41 PM
  #11  
WE TODD DID's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 290
Default

Something else that kills the sprags is when they bang on the 1-2. When I build one, I usually keep the 1-2 toned down a little bit.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:45 PM
  #12  
RDTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: beebe, AR
Default

we need to fire the camera man. lol And the tranny builder. There has been a few people telling us about putting in 4l80 stuff. What year model parts do we need to be looking for? Or is there anything specific.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:46 PM
  #13  
Frank02L's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Central AR
Default

He asked me if when it shifted 1-2 if it really banged, but I didnt think it was. He said he had it toned down pretty good. Listening closely to the video of the run it chirped the tires pretty good.

You take the cam back out of the TA tonight?
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:50 PM
  #14  
RDTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: beebe, AR
Default

na, might this weekend. Depends on what u are doing. Hell I guess we might as well go to a bruno/linco. IF u cant let it bang gears with out breaking. After a years worth of racing, at 30bucks for fluid and 70 for sprags in 5 to 10 passes. we could buy one. Tell sara she needs some overtime, lol
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:55 PM
  #15  
Frank02L's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Central AR
Default

I will be down there taking junk apart again one evening this week and probably this weekend. I think I sold the rear bogarts and brakes. And some other misc stuff I have. That'll help pay for the 3rd member and 40 spline axles for the 9". Just wanna get the dual caliper brakes for the rear. I think I'm gonna get some of those "cheap" wheels instead of D10s for the rear, so I can get a set of 15x12s and 15x10s.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2007 | 09:20 AM
  #16  
PBA's Avatar
PBA
TECH Resident
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 969
Likes: 119
Default

Make sure you keep the waved steel on the intermediate clutch pack, and do not leave out the checkballs on the intermediate apply circuit, and do not block the accumulator here either. Make sure the inner race on the direct drum is in good shape and is perfectly smooth, not rough. I have never had a 34 element break even in 1000+HP vehicles. If this is done right it should last for a long time.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2007 | 10:59 AM
  #17  
Frank02L's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Central AR
Default

bringing this backup but use 3 clutches or 4 clutches in the intermediate?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE