OK, I've been wrestling with this issue for the last two years and I need some informed insight based on experience.
I have a '72 Torino, w/ a 351W (specs in sig) and C6, that currently weighs-in around 3750 pounds. It's an around-town, warm-weather weekend car that sees roughly 1500-2000 miles/year. It's also going to see its' share of use at the local track after I get a few more things sorted out. Mainly deeper gears (4.11's/4.33's) and a deeper stall (2800+/-). Ultimately I'm shooting for high 12's.
My thing is this....I'm going to need to spend some time and money on the tranny this winter. I have a C6 right now. I can spend some $$$ to make it more efficient, but it will STILL weigh more than a C4, and still eat more HP. I've been looking at a lot of information concerning this. But if I'm gonna spend the money ANYWAY, maybe I should look at something more efficient.... if it will take the abuse. I've had several C6 tranny cars before, and you can mercilessly beat on 'em like an anvil, but will a C4, in a heavy car, take the abuse of of a middle-aged fat-a$$ manually rowing up and down through the gears? I know that a C4 will save me some HP, but what would it take for the internals to survive my hammering, with 400HP in front and 1 3/4 tons behind?
I <U>know</U> that the HP level is not an issue. But most of what I've read in the archive pertains to efficiency and longevity in lighter vehicles that are primarily running through the gears in one direction (upshifting). Is the added mass of a heavier car an issue and cause for concern, or am I gonna have to change my driving/shifting habits if I make the change?
I've searched all through the posts, but I can't really find my answers. Hope you guys can help.
Kevin
I have a '72 Torino, w/ a 351W (specs in sig) and C6, that currently weighs-in around 3750 pounds. It's an around-town, warm-weather weekend car that sees roughly 1500-2000 miles/year. It's also going to see its' share of use at the local track after I get a few more things sorted out. Mainly deeper gears (4.11's/4.33's) and a deeper stall (2800+/-). Ultimately I'm shooting for high 12's.
My thing is this....I'm going to need to spend some time and money on the tranny this winter. I have a C6 right now. I can spend some $$$ to make it more efficient, but it will STILL weigh more than a C4, and still eat more HP. I've been looking at a lot of information concerning this. But if I'm gonna spend the money ANYWAY, maybe I should look at something more efficient.... if it will take the abuse. I've had several C6 tranny cars before, and you can mercilessly beat on 'em like an anvil, but will a C4, in a heavy car, take the abuse of of a middle-aged fat-a$$ manually rowing up and down through the gears? I know that a C4 will save me some HP, but what would it take for the internals to survive my hammering, with 400HP in front and 1 3/4 tons behind?
I <U>know</U> that the HP level is not an issue. But most of what I've read in the archive pertains to efficiency and longevity in lighter vehicles that are primarily running through the gears in one direction (upshifting). Is the added mass of a heavier car an issue and cause for concern, or am I gonna have to change my driving/shifting habits if I make the change?
I've searched all through the posts, but I can't really find my answers. Hope you guys can help.
Kevin
