when to upgrade the drivetrain

[tntocco]

ok, this is my first post on this site, and could only post in this forum. Ive had various sports cars including multiple dsms. I am 30 years old and know my way around performance fuel injected machines. I have recently purchased a 1993 eagle talon tsi. My concern is this, I am currently about to exhaust the bolt on path, turbo back exhast, intake, fuel injectors, pump, hacked maf, etc. I was getting ready to possibly make the choice to go with a larger turbo, and front mount intercooler kit of some sort. However i was also kind of curious at what power and torque point the drive line becomes a problem. i realise that the way the car was cared for and many other factors like how often you beat on the car come into play. After a little research ive found that some of the drive train parts can be pretty pricy and was wondering if there were any upgrades that are manditory for my 400whp goal other than a suitable clutch, (ie. axles, cv's, transmissions, transfer cases, and ever rear ends). I have some money saved up like i said and dont want to go with a bigger turbo and intercooler if im just gonna tear up the drivetrain. i would rather do things in an order to provide as limited breakage and reliability problems as possible. sorry hope this wasnt a to severly dumb noob question.

thank you for your time and patients with a noob who couldnt find it by searching.

nick.

 

[StarFawkes]

ok, this is my first post on this site, and could only post in this forum. Ive had various sports cars including multiple dsms. I am 30 years old and know my way around performance fuel injected machines. I have recently purchased a 1993 eagle talon tsi. My concern is this, I am currently about to exhaust the bolt on path, turbo back exhast, intake, fuel injectors, pump, hacked maf, etc. I was getting ready to possibly make the choice to go with a larger turbo, and front mount intercooler kit of some sort. However i was also kind of curious at what power and torque point the drive line becomes a problem. i realise that the way the car was cared for and many other factors like how often you beat on the car come into play. After a little research ive found that some of the drive train parts can be pretty pricy and was wondering if there were any upgrades that are manditory for my 400whp goal other than a suitable clutch, (ie. axles, cv's, transmissions, transfer cases, and ever rear ends). I have some money saved up like i said and dont want to go with a bigger turbo and intercooler if im just gonna tear up the drivetrain. i would rather do things in an order to provide as limited breakage and reliability problems as possible. sorry hope this wasnt a to severly dumb noob question.

thank you for your time and patients with a noob who couldnt find it by searching.

nick.

Your drivetrain will always be at risk when running anything more than stock power levels, with a manual transmission you should not be launching the hell out of it. Look up Jack's Transmissions on here and see what he can do for you. Another big thing that likes to break is the transfer case. Frontline Fab is working on a brace for these, and there are a couple vendors that will rebuild them for you aswell. As far as axles and rear ends go you really shouldn't have an issue with those, just pick up some lifetime warranty axles from your local auto parts store.

DSM Forums - View Profile: JackM

Also please update your profile, you say you have injectors and a fuel pump but it's hard to assume you have anything to tune with unless we can see it.

 

[WES_393]

At 400whp guys typically don't have huge problems keeping the driveline together. The biggest factor is going to be how you drive and how much you race/launch the car. If you want to launch often at your local track, I would suggest having the center differential upgraded or welded. That is probably the weakest link in the stock drivetrain.

With my last setup (16g turbo, DSMLink, E85) I like to think I was making about 300-350whp. The only drivetrain mods I have are Southbend Clutch, Jacks rebuilt trans, and welded center diff. Otherwise the driveline is bone stock minus GSP front axles from Advanced Auto Parts. I have over a dozen hard launches with this setup and not a single problem.

 

[tntocco]

im not really interested in going to the track for any reason wether it be drag, autocross, time attack etc. I typically role on it on the streets, but that hasnt stopped torque and horsepower from ruining many of my other performance builds . i do get on it from a stop sometimes but typically like i said i role on it. As far as my profile goes i dont understand what my tuner has to do with my question i know its not listed and alot of my other mods arent for a specific reason that i dont like other people i dont know knowing where they can steal parts they want from. ( yes this has been a problem with other cars of mine on other forums) not saying that this would happen here just protecting myself from now on. As i said, i am to the point where a turbo and intercooler upgrade are the next logical power step. I just wanted to know if there were any notable power levels where things " typically" break. like for instance on 5.0 mustangs typically stock blocks break at 400whp. stock mustang trannies typically break at 350 ft/lbs. just saying. anyways thank you for the advice guys hopefully i will have a nice garage finished in the next few months and will be able to have a nice home for my car again so i can tell everyone about all my cool stuff .

 

[WES_393]

^ Understandable. There really isn't a set power limit for the stock trans and driveline. Some guys break the stock trans at 350hp, some run 9 second 1/4 miles. If you want some reassurance then get the trans built and the center diff modded. But personally, I think aftermarket drive shafts and axles are a huge rip, unless your making 750hp+ with slicks.

 

[tntocco]

good to know and thanks for the answers also id just like to say that wes your talon has a pretty menacing looking stance sir. good work

 

[crash89]

A lot of drivetrain upgrades arent really necessary. Two of my close buddys have DSMs well over 500 horse and are basically on stock drivetrain components. One friend is running low 10s and all hes got done is cryo-treated gears and a welded center diff, thats it. The other is around 800 at the wheels and has almost the same set up and the drivetrain takes the beating. Hes broken his t-case before but that was his only failure.

I honestly dont think you will have any issues.