Automatic trans track car? - don't laugh - LOOKING FOR DIRECTION-Page 3: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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May 19, 2011 8:04 p.m. Grizz Reader

Vigo wrote:

BS. Those trannies (3 and 4spd) have been in the 9s and 8s in the 1/4 behind 600+wtq engines. The only thing a stock 3 or 4spd shadow trans needs to be durable enough for a bolt-on autocross car is a shift kit and cooler for the 3spd, and just a cooler for the 4spd. The main reason they ever blow up is from being in loaded caravans well over 4000lbs with no trans cooler and no maintenance.

The only thing I got from that was that Caravans weigh a hell of a lot more than I thought they did.

I'm fine with being corrected, your reasoning makes perfect sense when I think about the fact that I've only ever seen them dead in the vans.
May 19, 2011 8:17 p.m. Vigo Dork

Depends on the van. 89-95 long wheelbase are 3400-3500 empty (full interior etc but nothing added to it). 96-05 or so are 3600-3700 empty or something like that. Add a driver and a tank of gas and you're nearly 4k. Add ANYTHING else and you're WAY over 4k. Short wheelbase vans are a little lighter.

My short wheelbase '90 4cyl/5spd van with no rear benches in it weighed 3020 at the track. Not stripped, the bench seats just come out. Some of the people who have run 11s and 12s in the early turbo caravans have gotten them down around 2400-2600 with lightening.
May 19, 2011 10:07 p.m. Hal Dork

mthomson22 wrote:

I'm really liking what I'm reading about the ZX3, lots of support and a big online community.

As much as I like the Focus (mine is supercharged), the ATX used in the Focus is not very strong. If you were to get some of the aftermarket part or a whole transmission from LenTech it might work for you.
May 22, 2011 8:13 a.m. mthomson22 New Reader

Well, my search kind of ended itself yesterday. While at a family gathering an 84 318i presented itself to me at the right price. Clean, straight, and pretty rust free. So you guys will see a new thread requesting an education into cost effective mods for my newest e30.

thanks, mark
May 22, 2011 8:13 a.m. mthomson22 New Reader

Well, my search kind of ended itself yesterday. While at a family gathering an 84 318i presented itself to me at the right price. Clean, straight, and pretty rust free. So you guys will see a new thread requesting an education into cost effective mods for my newest e30.

thanks, mark
May 22, 2011 8:13 a.m. mthomson22 New Reader

Well, my search kind of ended itself yesterday. While at a family gathering an 84 318i presented itself to me at the right price. Clean, straight, and pretty rust free. So you guys will see a new thread requesting an education into cost effective mods for my newest e30.

thanks, mark
May 22, 2011 8:13 a.m. mthomson22 New Reader

Well, my search kind of ended itself yesterday. While at a family gathering an 84 318i presented itself to me at the right price. Clean, straight, and pretty rust free. So you guys will see a new thread requesting an education into cost effective mods for my newest e30.

thanks, mark
May 22, 2011 9:19 a.m. internetautomart SuperDork

racinginc215 wrote:

Mark, we heard you the first two times. calm down we know your excited.

you missed the other 1? I heard him 4 times in total
May 22, 2011 6:20 p.m. mthomson22 New Reader

LOL, sorry - not sure how that happened.