Update on the cracked flexplate....

[95TwinTT]

Update on the 4L80e, leaking torque converter seal…

After discovering the cracked flywheel and grooves worn in the TC collar, had caused the seal to leak. My trans tech, needed to know why. He found the trans case itself was distorted by 35 thousands. That caused the stator spline to wear out.

Thanks to the experts at Midwest Performance Converters, I now have a new stator, a new collar welded to the turbine and while they had it apart, they adjusted my stall speed up a few hundred rpm’s.

The new transmission case will keep it all from happening again, and the bonus is a lot more torque from the billet torque converter, with the higher stall speed.

Now I need to find some tires with better traction. These 285/55R18 tires are not a popular size.

For anyone considering replacing their TC, I would strongly recommend these guys over just buying a “cookie cutter” off the shelf torque converter.

 

[clean454]

damn bro
well i hope that ur new set up will be good to go!

 

[AtomicHoe094]

thats pretty intense. how wide are those 18inch rims? and no traction in 2wd or 4wd?! lol

 

[95TwinTT]

The rims are 9” wide. They look good with the 11” wide tires.

The front drive shaft was not back in the Tahoe, for the initial tests, so I have yet to test with four wheel drive.

What I did discover is the stall speed is now high enough to be into the “turbo chain reaction”. I need to test to see what works best for launching rpm wise and set the second rev limiter. The trans brake switch can be modified to set the rev limiter along with the brake.

I don’t know if the front differential can take a “balls to the wall” launch off the trans brake. I tried one launch at 3500 rpm’s in two wheel drive and it just smoked the tires through first and second until I ran out of road and had to get off it.

I need to try to find a set of M/T drag radials the same diameter as the 285/55R118’s. lol

I’m just putting it back up on the hoist right now to go over all the bolts and connections to make sure all is secure.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

haha wow. damn thats crazy. have you ever had a good launch/time slip from the quartermile? those 285s dont rub in the front or rear?

 

[95TwinTT]

The 285’s have been fine except when hitting sever bumps, like bad rail road crossings at speed. Then the front’s would rub the top opening of the fender when the wheel would bottom out, on the outside of the tire wall. I messaged the top inside of the fender openings with a big rubber hammer and the problem seems to be gone. Also increased the size of the “bump stops” for additional safety.

The agressive alignment could help keep them from rubbing too. I have the camber setup so the tires lean in at the top a little. Helps in cornering.

The current setup has not been down the strip yet. I hope to get to Cedar Falls this summer sometime. It’s a little over three hours away, so it takes some planning.

Meanwhile I’m about to put new tires on it, so I may get out the video camera and finish off the existing Michelins. lol

 

[AtomicHoe094]

3 hours? that sucksss. and sounds good to me! ill video tape if youd like. haha damn, i need some 285s for the fbody. ahh

 

[95TwinTT]

What F-body? What's the story?

 

[AtomicHoe094]

haha the 01 formula, cant hook up in these 245s worth shit! lol damn firestone garbage tires.

 

[95TwinTT]

01 Formula, that’s a nice ride. Your right, aside from bigger tires and or drag radials, it’s a problem.

The one change I found on my f-body that made the most difference for traction, was adding the “BMR anti squat brackets” to the rear.

They change the leverage of the rear suspension to lift the front end, instead of squatting in the rear. Sounds silly but they really work. Not that much money either.

How about posting some pictures of the Formula?

 

[AtomicHoe094]

anti squat? never heard of those. Im looking into getting a set of subframe connectors soon. Your z28 is a mean sonof a *****! i cant believe how clean your cars are underneath, i sure as hell wouldn't mind eating my breakfast lunch and dinner on your undercarriages! lol

heres a couple shots of her, not much done to her.... yet! haha

 

[95TwinTT]

Hey thanks, It’s easy to keep them clean if you don’t drive it in the winter..

That is one sweeet looking Formula…. I had not seen that version of the “shock tower brace”. Great idea, keeps it out of the way while getting the job done. Lookin good………

Those “anti squat” brackets came about, mostly to cure the control arm angle for F-bodies that were lowered. They actually help stock height cars as much or more. Several different brands are available. I just did the “bolt in” version. The way the brackets are designed, I don’t think the “weld in” version offer any advantage. They cure “wheel hop”, plus add to weight transfer.

Glad to see you have plenty of projects to throw money at. Lol Thanks for posting the pictures. They kind of brighten up the old Tahoe forum.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

yea its a Hotckiss bar, around like 250 bucks? i wanna say. They also produced a bracket with that strut brace that goes from the strut tower to the block to the frame. Im trying to look for it, but havent came across it.

11.3 sec @ 130 mph this still your fastest? 2 years ago when it was all stock it ran a 13.5 at 102. not too shabby, but im looking for a torque converter for it now

 

[95TwinTT]

Oh, yea, Hotchkiss makes some really nice parts. The stars have not lined up for another trip to the strip yet. It has either been work or weather or at one point, Cedar Falls was a few feet under water. We are trying to catch one of their Friday night sessions soon.

It’s my son in law that caused this “camaro money laundering” game that we play. He has just upped the ante again this winter with every trick that TPIS offers. The “Mini Ram”, is his latest acquisition on top of solid lifters. He is into the high 11’s now with his 6 speed. I’ll have to get back down there and work on my 60 foot times if I’m going to keep him looking at my tail lights. Lol

Frankly, I’m getting a little old for the track, so I may find someone to drive for me to keep the camaro rivalry going. At least for the ¼ mile. I will never be too old for the Brainerd track. They have a one mile straight away where you can turn it loose without worrying about cops. lol

Seriously if you want to make the best of a torque converter, give the guys at Midwest a look. It’s a bit of work to dig out the information for the “Sling Shot” converter, but it is a quick way to cut a half second or more, off your ¼ mile times. Here is there address. http://www.midwestconverter.com/

If you do decide it the way to go, tell Dick that Del the guy with the twin turbo tahoe in Bloomington, sent you. He has performed miracles for many years. He is at their south Minneapolis location on Hiawatha Avenue.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on all kinds of power adders, you can make a big jump, just taking advantage of all the power you already have. Especially with the low first gear of the 4L60e, your formula could be an animal off the line and keep it going with a higher stall.

I see you as one of those guys that could get into editing OBD2 programs. You could message the transmission shift points and even make use of the “performance mode”. You would need to track down that un used wire in the trans wiring harness and get it to a switch. If your interested in any of this, let me know. I can locate my schematic for the “blue light special”. Another trick to use on the street for impromptu races.

Just realized I wasting a lot of ink here. Later…..