how long has your RMVB th400 w/brake lasted on the street? (miles)

1BAD_LS1 · 11-01-2009, 01:49 AM

I am curious to see how long the RMVB th400 w/brake lasts on the street (miles)...

I read a thread that it will only last 10-20000 miles!!!!!! That seems crazy...

I figure with a big Tranny Cooler it should last quite a while....

at 10-20000 miles i would have to rebuilt it every 1-2 years!

1BAD_LS1 · 11-01-2009, 02:56 PM

nobody drives a th400 on the street????

melchoir · 11-01-2009, 07:18 PM

Only special people that don't like overdrive or lockup torque converters.

1BAD_LS1 · 11-01-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melchoir

Only special people that don't like overdrive or lockup torque converters.

LOL ya I guess not many people would like to drive their car without OD and a converter that doesn't lock....

Just figured there were other people who did... I dont drive mine a whole lot (its not my DD)

98Camarod · 11-01-2009, 07:40 PM

I'll let you know after I button my install up

98Camarod · 11-01-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melchoir

Only special people that don't like overdrive or lockup torque converters.

Or people that have enough power to not want a 4l60e....

1BAD_LS1 · 11-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98Camarod

I'll let you know after I button my install up

Sounds good! I am buying one hope to have it in 2-3 weeks! The bad thing is that all the other stuff that is required to install the th400 is like $1500!!!!!

98Camarod · 11-01-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAD_LS1

Sounds good! I am buying one hope to have it in 2-3 weeks! The bad thing is that all the other stuff that is required to install the th400 is like $1500!!!!!

Just wait until you can buy it used, that's what I did. I saved quite a bit that way

Zero4488 · 11-02-2009, 02:17 PM

I'd chime in but I'm new to the TH400's....but from what I've seen in other cars it's about how much power you make and how much abuse you give it...Personally I don't see why it wouldn't have a long and healthy life with the correct matinence...

-Dave

chasgiv3 · 11-02-2009, 02:36 PM

I've put about 1200 miles on my TH400. I did break a sprag once doing multiple burnouts on the street being silly. Cost me 500 to have it removed gone through and put back in. I replace the filter and fluid just before every season. The street does nothing in the way of abuse compared to making track passes. Trans brake is pretty brutal on the fluid even with the cooler.

1BAD_LS1 · 11-02-2009, 10:10 PM

atleast if they do break they are fairly cheap to have fixed... lol

I am thinking of going with 3.00 gears in my 9" instead of running the 3.70 gears with the th400

with 3.00 gears 65mph is 2300-2500rpm
with 3.70 gears 65mph is 2900-3100rpm

I figure being a turbo car the 3.00 gears shouldn't hurt at all....

what do you guys think?

slow67 · 11-02-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasgiv3

I've put about 1200 miles on my TH400. I did break a sprag once doing multiple burnouts on the street being silly.

Doing burnouts or pedaling in 2nd?

1BAD_LS1 · 11-02-2009, 11:13 PM

OK guys... what is a surefire way to F-up your th400.

I am looking for things that are not so obvious to someone like me that isn't familiar with a rmvb transmission... Basically looking for DO's and DONT's!

is there a right way to do a burnout? I have linelock, i assumed just start in first and then shift to second turn off linelock and roll out, right?

b18cls1 · 11-03-2009, 07:38 AM

we have a customer that drives his th every day, 1.5 yrs now and no lockup will heat the fluid bad and will over heat the trans keep your temps under control and youll be ok, remember these trannys used to be stock in cars at one time, its not like they magically appeared and were never stock in a car

letsrunem · 11-03-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAD_LS1

I am looking for things that are not so obvious to someone like me that isn't familiar with a rmvb transmission... Basically looking for DO's and DONT's!

Same here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAD_LS1

is there a right way to do a burnout? I have linelock, i assumed just start in first and then shift to second turn off linelock and roll out, right?

I've read that starting a burnout in 1st is a big no no.

cause4panic · 11-03-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAD_LS1

is there a right way to do a burnout? I have linelock, i assumed just start in first and then shift to second turn off linelock and roll out, right?

I think you start in 2nd, shift into third as soon as the tires start to spin then roll out, but im not 100% sure.

cambirdracing · 11-03-2009, 08:39 AM

I have raced my 68 Bird with a th400 for 15 years. I have always started in 1st and shifted to 2nd and NEVER had a problem doing that. But I don't have a brake on it, I footbrake race it.

gsxr1k2 · 11-03-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letsrunem

Same here!

I've read that starting a burnout in 1st is a big no no.

Huh? Thats a new one on me. I beat my th400 like it owes me money. Its see's street/strip driving and I take it to the 11's @6400 da (thats 10's for sea level pricks). The only way I could think to tear these trannys up is to neutral drop them or down shift them manually. I always do 1 to 2 gear burnouts. These trannys are so cheap to build you have to beat the shit out of them.....lol.

98Camarod · 11-03-2009, 06:50 PM

This is what I found in my research:

try to get to 3rd for burnouts, don't let it hook hard during burnout, don't neutral or downshift at end of run, don't decel downshift, and if you do, don't hit the throttle again.

Pedaling in 2nd gear due to traction issues can be detrimental, especially with a full manual VB with no engine braking.

Don't do neutral drops...
Don't run it low on fluid....or with improper shifter adjustment.

weaklt1 · 11-03-2009, 07:02 PM

I drive my TA with a Th 400, rmvb and a brake whenever it is dry and nice out, so far so good.