How mutch hp and torq will the A6 handle - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

woodside783 · 08-20-2010, 08:22 PM

How mutch hp and torq will the A6 hould on the V8?

v6sonoma · 08-21-2010, 01:13 AM

From what we've seen the half-shafts will die long before the Tranny. I'm gonna say at least 650+ RWHP

VADER SS L99 · 08-21-2010, 04:45 AM

I would say dont worry until about 550RWHP and the axles will have to be upgraded long before that. Luckly trans companies have already pretty much figured out the 6l80e and their are built trans running 1000RWHP. Its just the tunning with multi disk torque converters that still needs to be resolved. All in all its still a pretty stout trans. 550RWHP through this trans is like 690FWHP and thats quite a bit of power.

woodside783 · 08-21-2010, 06:47 PM

thanks guy for the input

Lu · 08-21-2010, 06:53 PM

this depends on type of usage, if drag raced at a track, the half shafts could break on even a stock setup. All it takes is for some wheelhop then the car to all of the sudden bite and grip, and snap can go a half shaft. If a car is 600+hp and not raced at the track, and not beat on constantly, the tranny could last a long time. Some occasional roll racing won't really hurt it. When you are racing/beating on the tranny, watch the tranny temp guage and allow it to cool properly.

woodside783 · 08-22-2010, 09:24 PM

wanted to put a lsa in my auto. just wanted to know if the trans would hould up

v6sonoma · 08-22-2010, 11:27 PM

You could save time and just slap a blower on it. $7k and a free day and you'll be laying tracks everywhere you go! :thunmbsup:

thesubfloor · 08-23-2010, 04:27 PM

The thing with the 6L80 is not so much a question of how much HP or TQ it'll handle, but one of overall abuse. Some vendors are claiming that they've got a "built trans running behind an engine making XXX HP" but honestly that really doesn't mean squat as you could easily stick a weak 6L80 behind a 2000 HP motor and sure it'll last but for how long?

I've personally blown up 7 transmissions at the track (2007 LS7 Corvette) and I've had them last for several months before letting go with only 400rwhp and I've also had them last for as little as 23 passes while making around 600rwhp.

I'm not sure how much of a difference there is between the Camaro and Corvette halfshafts, but surprisingly enough my car has 65K miles on it with at least 600 passes and that's the only thing in the entire drivetrain that hasn't broken yet. I've gone through one LS7 (cracked the cylinder wall when the #7 piston went lean and broke), a torque tube (front shaft developed a vibration although I think it could have been from the engine install), 2 RPM differentials and 7 transmissions. The thing that probably has helped them to last so long is that I've run my best ETs while only launching at around 1800RPM. With the 3600 stall converter I have in the car (a Yank SS3600) although I could launch as high as 2500RPM, I find it's easier to dial the car in and run consistently with a 1300-1500RPM launch.

Regarding whether to leave in TM or not, this is one of those cases where if you ask a dozen people you'll get two dozen different answers. According to the guy who built my most recent transmission (Mike Kurtz from Century Transmissions in TX), the whole reason behind having TM in there in the first place is more for smoothness than longevity. I happen to agree with this as I was able to put 83 low 10 second passes on it running without any TM whatsoever and the shifts were so firm it would bark the tires on both the 1-2 and 2-3 shift at the track. While it did let go last Sunday at the track, the problem was unrelated to the clutches (which is usually what breaks first in the 6L80) and once I get it back to him for analysis I'll be sure to post up the results of what he found after the teardown. He seems to think we probably just uncovered another weak link and will just make any needed adjustments so that I can continue pounding on it and put even more passes on it with the next one.

Sorry for the lengthy diatribe and hopefully it helps to shed at least a little light on the subject.

Christopher

08-20-2010, 08:22 PM	#1
woodside783 Casey Woodside Drives: a very fun car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tn Posts: 1,906	How mutch hp and torq will the A6 handle How mutch hp and torq will the A6 hould on the V8?

08-21-2010, 01:13 AM	#2
v6sonoma Drives: 2010 SS RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 8,108 View My Garage	From what we've seen the half-shafts will die long before the Tranny. I'm gonna say at least 650+ RWHP __________________ Mods: BBK Intake, BBK LT's and High Flow Cats, Corsa Cat-back exhaust, Hurst short throw shifter, SLP skip-shift eliminator. 7/1/09 Placed order for IOM/IO int/ SS/RS 6M 9/26/09 Took delivery!

08-21-2010, 04:45 AM	#3
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	I would say dont worry until about 550RWHP and the axles will have to be upgraded long before that. Luckly trans companies have already pretty much figured out the 6l80e and their are built trans running 1000RWHP. Its just the tunning with multi disk torque converters that still needs to be resolved. All in all its still a pretty stout trans. 550RWHP through this trans is like 690FWHP and thats quite a bit of power. __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.

08-21-2010, 06:53 PM	#5
Lu Drives: 2006 GTO Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NM Posts: 111	this depends on type of usage, if drag raced at a track, the half shafts could break on even a stock setup. All it takes is for some wheelhop then the car to all of the sudden bite and grip, and snap can go a half shaft. If a car is 600+hp and not raced at the track, and not beat on constantly, the tranny could last a long time. Some occasional roll racing won't really hurt it. When you are racing/beating on the tranny, watch the tranny temp guage and allow it to cool properly. __________________ Sweet Maybellene...... 571 RWHP - 11.44@122mph at a DA of 6500ft

08-23-2010, 04:27 PM	#8
thesubfloor Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Brentwood, CA Posts: 31	6L80 longevity The thing with the 6L80 is not so much a question of how much HP or TQ it'll handle, but one of overall abuse. Some vendors are claiming that they've got a "built trans running behind an engine making XXX HP" but honestly that really doesn't mean squat as you could easily stick a weak 6L80 behind a 2000 HP motor and sure it'll last but for how long? I've personally blown up 7 transmissions at the track (2007 LS7 Corvette) and I've had them last for several months before letting go with only 400rwhp and I've also had them last for as little as 23 passes while making around 600rwhp. I'm not sure how much of a difference there is between the Camaro and Corvette halfshafts, but surprisingly enough my car has 65K miles on it with at least 600 passes and that's the only thing in the entire drivetrain that hasn't broken yet. I've gone through one LS7 (cracked the cylinder wall when the #7 piston went lean and broke), a torque tube (front shaft developed a vibration although I think it could have been from the engine install), 2 RPM differentials and 7 transmissions. The thing that probably has helped them to last so long is that I've run my best ETs while only launching at around 1800RPM. With the 3600 stall converter I have in the car (a Yank SS3600) although I could launch as high as 2500RPM, I find it's easier to dial the car in and run consistently with a 1300-1500RPM launch. Regarding whether to leave in TM or not, this is one of those cases where if you ask a dozen people you'll get two dozen different answers. According to the guy who built my most recent transmission (Mike Kurtz from Century Transmissions in TX), the whole reason behind having TM in there in the first place is more for smoothness than longevity. I happen to agree with this as I was able to put 83 low 10 second passes on it running without any TM whatsoever and the shifts were so firm it would bark the tires on both the 1-2 and 2-3 shift at the track. While it did let go last Sunday at the track, the problem was unrelated to the clutches (which is usually what breaks first in the 6L80) and once I get it back to him for analysis I'll be sure to post up the results of what he found after the teardown. He seems to think we probably just uncovered another weak link and will just make any needed adjustments so that I can continue pounding on it and put even more passes on it with the next one. Sorry for the lengthy diatribe and hopefully it helps to shed at least a little light on the subject. Christopher

08-21-2010, 06:47 PM	#4
woodside783 Casey Woodside Drives: a very fun car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tn Posts: 1,906	thanks guy for the input

08-22-2010, 09:24 PM	#6
woodside783 Casey Woodside Drives: a very fun car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tn Posts: 1,906	wanted to put a lsa in my auto. just wanted to know if the trans would hould up

08-22-2010, 11:27 PM	#7
v6sonoma Drives: 2010 SS RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 8,108 View My Garage	You could save time and just slap a blower on it. $7k and a free day and you'll be laying tracks everywhere you go! :thunmbsup: __________________ Mods: BBK Intake, BBK LT's and High Flow Cats, Corsa Cat-back exhaust, Hurst short throw shifter, SLP skip-shift eliminator. 7/1/09 Placed order for IOM/IO int/ SS/RS 6M 9/26/09 Took delivery!