Suggestions on where to spend money first

[JCB]

I recently bought a '99 GSX with fully built motor and head, AEM V2 with a 35R making 420 AWHP. It is on the stock trans with a welded diff. The car has only 55k miles, and the build about 15k miles on it. I am trying to decide between beefing up the fuel some more to run corn, or building the trans. I know a lot will say its all about how you drive it, I don't plan to beat the hell out of it, just wanting to know some opinions of you guys who have been in the DSM game a while.

 

[DJ23GSX]

My train of thought is if it ain't broke then don't fix it. If the tranny shifts good I'd leave it alone. IIRC the 2g trannies are strongest stock trannies so it can handle some decent power as long as your not power shifting the hell out of it or launching it at every stop light. Whats it have for a clutch? Obviously beefing up the fuel system is going to be a lot cheaper than building up the tranny so I would probly start there as long as everything else with the car is up to par.

 

[njclimber36]

Do something with the trans first. That's a lot more power than the manuals normally hold for long. The auto seems to be a bit better, but with a decent performance rebuild, cooler, and shift kit handle that kind of power all day and night. I would be surprised if anyone steers you away from the transmission upgrades, but I'll be checking in to see. Good luck with the car.

 

[JCB]

My train of thought is if it ain't broke then don't fix it. If the tranny shifts good I'd leave it alone. IIRC the 2g trannies are strongest stock trannies so it can handle some decent power as long as your not power shifting the hell out of it or launching it at every stop light. Whats it have for a clutch? Obviously beefing up the fuel system is going to be a lot cheaper than building up the tranny so I would probly start there as long as everything else with the car is up to par.

The trans shifts amazing. It has an ACT 2600 (I think) and a 6 puck sprung disc. I really wanna hit that 500AWHP mark.

 

[njclimber36]

I'm glad you have a decent clutch and everything is good for now. If you don't want to build the tranny (or buy a spare and build that) my advice would be to keep some money on the side because a stocker behind 500hp is a one night stand type of relationship. I'd hate to see you hit 500 on a dyno, lose the trans and trailer it home. I know it sucks to spend money on something that's not broken and doesn't make more power but.... it is what it is.

 

[JCB]

I'm glad you have a decent clutch and everything is good for now. If you don't want to build the tranny (or buy a spare and build that) my advice would be to keep some money on the side because a stocker behind 500hp is a one night stand type of relationship. I'd hate to see you hit 500 on a dyno, lose the trans and trailer it home. I know it sucks to spend money on something that's not broken and doesn't make more power but.... it is what it is.

This is the direction I'm leading. Hopefully I can squeeze out enough $$ for E85+tune and a built trans. Is that much power twin disc clutch territory or will an ACT suffice?

 

[rreign0311]

I'd build up your trans first. It's never a good idea to start building power and torque without building the transmission and motor first. It's just going to cause headaches otherwise. Then I'd go ahead and get a Full Blown double pumper with 2 Fullblown 290lph pumps, some FIC 2150's and an upgraded fuel rail. Run e85 and push that thing over 600whp

 

[maddadgsx]

If I were you, I'd def build up the trans first. Otherwise it'll be like over filling your glass of milk(silly analogy) You can't cram that much power into a tranny built for a 210hp engine and expect it not to explode on you. Im actually surprised it hasn't yet...Good luck!!

 

[jstens2g]

Its your car man even if 100 peoole say to do it one way ull more then likely do some thing diffrent wich is good i would e85 personaly but research your town and surronding areas for stations that actualy have e85 im not sure where your from but im from a podunk town in idaho that has 1 thats right 1 e85 station and closest town that have it are about 150 mikes away and e85 burns quickly so dont get in a pickle p.s i love the smell of e85 out the exhaust

 

[Doesnt start monthly]

I agree with building the trans. Would suck to make all that power just to end up blowing it up!

 

[crash89]

Im with the first guy, if it aint broke.. My hx35 is netting me the same power if not slightly more than you are right now on pump gas, E85 next season and more power to come.. Honestly I have no idea why you arent over your mark already.. Ive seen 35r's run 8s.. What other mods do you have in the car, like cams, fuel, SMIC or stock intake?? Make sure to fill out your profile.

But the way I am going to do things in my spyder is run the stock 7 bolt until it throws a rod, and stock trans until I tear the gears out of it.. It still runs and drive flawlessly so why dump 2k into a part when you dont need it yet? Thats just me though.

 

[clipto]

I would spend more getting the most out of your setup first. When stuff breaks then fix it. Trannies I have gone through 7 in the past 2 years just stock ones $300 a pop built trannys are not on my mind set. So make power you will be fine and after that make up your mind.

 

[Narish Do Urden]

Why not just get a stage 1 or 2 ShepTrans?
DSM AWD Transmission Rebuild- Stage 2 | Sheptrans

Sure your stock trans is holding up now, but for how long? How often do you drive it. etc...?

 

[Riceburning101]

I would spend more getting the most out of your setup first. When stuff breaks then fix it. Trannies I have gone through 7 in the past 2 years just stock ones $300 a pop built trannys are not on my mind set. So make power you will be fine and after that make up your mind.

that means you spent roughly 2100 dollars on trannies and how many hours pulling and dropping the trannies in? Do the dirty work first so its all easy after that. We all the know the dsm manual trannies love to explode so get that tranny built and get the hard crap out of the way and then move on to next important thing. I think you would appreciate knowing that your tranny can take a 4500 rpms launch vs. having a tow truck on speed dial.

 

[staztrx250]

First off a stock trans is prefect capible of holding 4-500 lb-ft all day if you know how to drive it.

 

[GSTurbo1]

drive the wheels off that SOB

 

[clipto]

that means you spent roughly 2100 dollars on trannies and how many hours pulling and dropping the trannies in? Do the dirty work first so its all easy after that. We all the know the dsm manual trannies love to explode so get that tranny built and get the hard crap out of the way and then move on to next important thing. I think you would appreciate knowing that your tranny can take a 4500 rpms launch vs. having a tow truck on speed dial.

For the most part ya but I would not waste money on only a "half built" tranny if ganna buy a built tranny do the whole thing but stock trannys are fine. I just abused them. So I would just work on everything else then when tranny comes around if it goes out depending on his driving then do something.

 

[njclimber36]

Ive seen a number of Cliptos posts and I normally agree, but not this time. I don't like breaking down, I don't like downtime and I don't like the unexpected. I bought my TSI AWD auto with a bad trans and Im building one to swap it with. Shift kit, top end clutch pack and seals as well as a converter (all IPT), and Kiggly flexplate. Once its in Im good to go, no worries. Could be the Marine Corps mentallity, but I like to be over prepared for everything I can be all the time.

 

[clipto]

Ive seen a number of Cliptos posts and I normally agree, but not this time. I don't like breaking down, I don't like downtime and I don't like the unexpected. I bought my TSI AWD auto with a bad trans and Im building one to swap it with. Shift kit, top end clutch pack and seals as well as a converter (all IPT), and Kiggly flexplate. Once its in Im good to go, no worries. Could be the Marine Corps mentallity, but I like to be over prepared for everything I can be all the time.

I hear what your saying but in the end it's really up to op. I mean you can eather build the trans now and call it good or build up the fuel and stuff and make more power. Just remeber in the end the trans can still blow up but it's up to you what order you wanna do it. If the trans is still running good then go for power or if you want reliability then build the trans. If the stock trans is maintaned it should handle a good amount of power. We made like 540-613 whp on a stock trans. Eather way I am sure he will eventually do both it's just up to him what he wants to do first.

 

[JCB]

Im with the first guy, if it aint broke.. My hx35 is netting me the same power if not slightly more than you are right now on pump gas, E85 next season and more power to come.. Honestly I have no idea why you arent over your mark already.. Ive seen 35r's run 8s.. What other mods do you have in the car, like cams, fuel, SMIC or stock intake?? Make sure to fill out your profile.

But the way I am going to do things in my spyder is run the stock 7 bolt until it throws a rod, and stock trans until I tear the gears out of it.. It still runs and drive flawlessly so why dump 2k into a part when you dont need it yet? Thats just me though.

Sorry, the profile is updated now. It seems like most of the guys around here are going with the E85 setup first. Like I said I might be able to squeeze out and do both, but for now I can definitely do one. The 35R is only pushing 22psi at the moment.

 

[njclimber36]

Thats reasonable. You really change your tranny 7 times? Thats crazy. I think there are considerable performance gains as well as durability gains in building autos so maybe I am somewhat bias.

 

[JCB]

Why not just get a stage 1 or 2 ShepTrans?
DSM AWD Transmission Rebuild- Stage 2 | Sheptrans

Sure your stock trans is holding up now, but for how long? How often do you drive it. etc...?

It is just a weekend car, I have another DD

 

[clipto]

Thats reasonable. You really change your tranny 7 times? Thats crazy. I think there are considerable performance gains as well as durability gains in building autos so maybe I am somewhat bias.

Ya just stock junkyard trannys we use to do alot burnouts and beat the crap out of the car. They didn't like the launching fwd and just blew holes in the tranny. but I would go for more power first I love e85, it's like crack.

 

[uummm]

IMHO, if its a not a dd skip the trans for now and go for power. Just don't be stupid with it until you can get a built trans.