what would it take to put an 01 trans Am in the 9's
02-24-2013, 10:46 PM
#23
I went TH400 several years ago on my WS6, and although it has been very reliable for me, I do miss my T56 at times. Matter of fact I'm puttin a T56 in my 81 vette for cruisin 
But for drag racing , TH400 is def the way to go. For consistent times, it rules. I got my car to within .01 consistency. If only it had a driver that knew how to cut a good light.
But there are a few things I would do differently if I did it over again:
1) Don't get the RMVB. You have to run a transbrake if you have one, I hate transbrakes. Totally useless on a street/strip car. On a gutted out drag only car, then ok. Your drivetrain (and your brain) will thank you. Seriously, my transbrake always gives me a serious migraine when I use it, so I don't anymore.. and the footbrake classes frown upon you using a transbrake, many won't allow it, you have to run electronics class and you don't want to do that (if you bracket race). There's nothing like a dragster sailing past you at 180 mph at the end of the 1/4 mile, it is intimidating to say the least.
2) Get the lowest ratio 1st gear for that TH400 that you can get. It'll help your 60' times.
3) Try to get the 4L80E clutch packs, they fit in your TH400 and have more holding power than the TH400 clutch packs. I did that (at the advice of my trans builder) and he was right. They hold like a champ whereas before they slipped.
4) Go ahead and spend alittle extra and get the heavy duty alum driveshaft (I got the steel one and regret it, although it has been bullet proof, I believe its robbing some weight and power).
5) Buy the extra thick SFI approved bell housing, trim off the old bell housing, and install the SFI housing. Its heavier, but the stock TH400 bellhousing is too thin and is a POS. I broke mine and put the SFI one on, so far so good....
Thats about it, the trans themselves are great transmissions.
But for drag racing , TH400 is def the way to go. For consistent times, it rules. I got my car to within .01 consistency. If only it had a driver that knew how to cut a good light.
But there are a few things I would do differently if I did it over again:
1) Don't get the RMVB. You have to run a transbrake if you have one, I hate transbrakes. Totally useless on a street/strip car. On a gutted out drag only car, then ok. Your drivetrain (and your brain) will thank you. Seriously, my transbrake always gives me a serious migraine when I use it, so I don't anymore.. and the footbrake classes frown upon you using a transbrake, many won't allow it, you have to run electronics class and you don't want to do that (if you bracket race). There's nothing like a dragster sailing past you at 180 mph at the end of the 1/4 mile, it is intimidating to say the least.
2) Get the lowest ratio 1st gear for that TH400 that you can get. It'll help your 60' times.
3) Try to get the 4L80E clutch packs, they fit in your TH400 and have more holding power than the TH400 clutch packs. I did that (at the advice of my trans builder) and he was right. They hold like a champ whereas before they slipped.
4) Go ahead and spend alittle extra and get the heavy duty alum driveshaft (I got the steel one and regret it, although it has been bullet proof, I believe its robbing some weight and power).
5) Buy the extra thick SFI approved bell housing, trim off the old bell housing, and install the SFI housing. Its heavier, but the stock TH400 bellhousing is too thin and is a POS. I broke mine and put the SFI one on, so far so good....
Thats about it, the trans themselves are great transmissions.
Last edited by htownws6; 02-24-2013 at 10:52 PM.
