Drivetrain Reliability Question
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc, MI
Drivetrain Reliability Question Hello all,
I bought an 06 GTO A4 a couple years back and I have been doing a lot of reading in the area of the drivetrain. I have some parts installed and some on the shelf and a few more coming to get the drivetrain to handle everything I am about to install. Here is a quick summary:
Installed:
1 7/8 Kooks headers
Cats removed
Vararam OTRCAI
Street Tune
Full 4 wheel BMR suspension and bushing kit
Drag bags
On the shelf for the motor (installed after drivetrain):
Custom grind cam
New rockers
Hardened springs
LS3 ported heads
1000cc Bosch E85 compatible injectors
102mm Intake and TB
Upgraded fuel pump/system for E85 conversion
2.5 Cat back Loudmouth exhaust
I was told this should push the car to 550HP at the crank.
On the shelf for the drivetrain:
Transgo Level 2 Shift kit
Deep Aluminum Trans pan
GForce Carbon Fiber DS
Eaton LSD w Timken hardened gears (3.91)
BMR Diff cover
DSS 1400HP Axle & Inner Stub Kit
My question...
Before installing the engine upgrades, whats your opinion on reliability from the drivetrain on the road and then on the track? I am not a street racer, but will drive it hard on occasion. Do I have a reliable setup or do I need to change anything?
I bought an 06 GTO A4 a couple years back and I have been doing a lot of reading in the area of the drivetrain. I have some parts installed and some on the shelf and a few more coming to get the drivetrain to handle everything I am about to install. Here is a quick summary:
Installed:
1 7/8 Kooks headers
Cats removed
Vararam OTRCAI
Street Tune
Full 4 wheel BMR suspension and bushing kit
Drag bags
On the shelf for the motor (installed after drivetrain):
Custom grind cam
New rockers
Hardened springs
LS3 ported heads
1000cc Bosch E85 compatible injectors
102mm Intake and TB
Upgraded fuel pump/system for E85 conversion
2.5 Cat back Loudmouth exhaust
I was told this should push the car to 550HP at the crank.
On the shelf for the drivetrain:
Transgo Level 2 Shift kit
Deep Aluminum Trans pan
GForce Carbon Fiber DS
Eaton LSD w Timken hardened gears (3.91)
BMR Diff cover
DSS 1400HP Axle & Inner Stub Kit
My question...
Before installing the engine upgrades, whats your opinion on reliability from the drivetrain on the road and then on the track? I am not a street racer, but will drive it hard on occasion. Do I have a reliable setup or do I need to change anything?
Make sure to keep the cf shaft shielded from heat if it's close to the exhaust. Anything less than an inch is a concern. A wrap can help for keeping heat and especially radiant heat down.
The Eaton lsd can be an issue, these have had many faults and issues since their Introduction. The fact that you have Timken parts in your diff also tells the tale of subpar parts used in its build. I'd make sure the diff gets rebuilt properly and with the correct parts. What diff cover do you have?
The Eaton lsd can be an issue, these have had many faults and issues since their Introduction. The fact that you have Timken parts in your diff also tells the tale of subpar parts used in its build. I'd make sure the diff gets rebuilt properly and with the correct parts. What diff cover do you have?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc, MI
Lots of good replies.
I do have a 3800 stall on the shelf...forgot to mention.
I am running a BMR diff cover.
I will keep an eye on the clearance of the exhaust and DS. If it is too close, I will have the exhaust wrapped or Ceramic coated.
Consensus is I need to have the tranny built. Not sure I can float another 2k and get it on the road by spring. Will it last a season? I read a good article that the tranny will hold much better with a shift kit and deep trans pan. As a side note, I will be building up the tranny before installing the engine mods. I think next year will be motor work, otherwise it will be down all year this year.
I am itching to drive it. Last year it was down while I upgraded the stereo and had some of the interior carbon fiber dipped. I'll get pics once installed.
I do have a 3800 stall on the shelf...forgot to mention.
I am running a BMR diff cover.
I will keep an eye on the clearance of the exhaust and DS. If it is too close, I will have the exhaust wrapped or Ceramic coated.
Consensus is I need to have the tranny built. Not sure I can float another 2k and get it on the road by spring. Will it last a season? I read a good article that the tranny will hold much better with a shift kit and deep trans pan. As a side note, I will be building up the tranny before installing the engine mods. I think next year will be motor work, otherwise it will be down all year this year.
I am itching to drive it. Last year it was down while I upgraded the stereo and had some of the interior carbon fiber dipped. I'll get pics once installed. 
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
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