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What's the real truth about aftermarket gear sets for a powerglide?
Leaving the line with a trans break, how long will the gears last? I
have been told maybe only 50-75 runs. Is this true? They are expensive
and if it is true, not worth the expense for a bracket car.
What kind and whose gear sets do you recommend? I have a 2220 lb (with
driver) bracket car with a big block Chevy that now runs in the mid-8s.
I have a 4-link, struts, chrome moly chassis, 9-inch, and so forth.
I know a guy at my local track that has a 2400 lb (approx) car that
has a 1.96 low gear in the glide and he has hundreds of runs on the
gear set and he runs 8.30's!
Thanks,
Don
Don,
All low gear sets are not created equal. Strength and durability depend
on base material and heat treat. Most of the cheap sets (1.96 for $500-$600)
are half 9310 ratio gears and half OEM gears. When one of the OEM gears
fails, the whole thing is history. Also, when ordering a gear set you
want to make sure all gears are aftermarket and all washers, etc. are
new. Additionally (and very important!) you need to run a very high
grade transmission fluid to help cushion and save these.
Fluid can make a big difference toward the longevity of not only your
gear set but also pump gears, bushings, etc. What we have found is that
a very high grade petroleum based, high viscosity ATF will cling to
parts much better than synthetics and provide much higher film strength
on the gears than any other ATF. You wouldn't put cheap oil in your
$50,000 race motor, so don't put cheap fluid in your race trans and
expect it to live!
Thank you,
Mike Stewart is owner of Mike’s Transmission
in Lancaster, California. He will answer your questions about automatic
or powerglide transmissions.
Email: Mike@racingnetsource.com |
Mike
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