I've went ahead and broke down a previous post into more threads as a suggestion from a member...

Here's the lowdown:
I have a 95 Z28 LT1 A4 with less than 90k miles in good shape. I want to build my Camaro as a street car with 400rwhp. No drag time, just want to weekend drive it or so, not a daily driver. Just a simple build to be able to enjoy my drives and smoke some cars on the road if I have to. I am somewhat budget minded meaning I do have a budget and I must have a shop do it (I'm overseas right now). This is what I'm thinking:

TRANSMISSION
-3000k stall
-shift kit
-trans cooler

So this is what I've got so far and I'm thinking it's pretty complete, but what are some things that I'm missing? There might be some suggestions about forging the block or just getting an LS1, but I would just like to know that, deciding on doing this setup, what are some things that I'm missing.

 

The shift kit and cooler are good ideas, but the stall seems just a bit high for a primary street car, I would go 2800 max. It depends mostly on your cam and heads though, where is the engines' powerband? Since you have an A4 car, you have 3.23 gears in the rear at best (if you're still stock). For a budget build, see if you can find a 3.42 rear from an M6 car, or just add new 3.42-3.73 gears to your rear. Hopefully you already have the posi rear, if not than a whole used rear from the M6 would be the best and least expensive option. Gears and the converter will really help you off the line, these cars are a bit heavy.

 

For a stock or bolt-on street car, I have seen people using converters in the range of 2800-3200 with no issues. However, if you are going to upgrade your heads/cam, which will most likely be the case if you are shooting for 400rwhp, then you are most likely going to be looking for a stall larger then that. The tranny cooler is a definite and as mentioned, gears would be a very good upgrade as well.

 

should just get the auto rebuilt. it is as much of a weak link as the 10 bolt. I would say a 3000 stall is a minimum for a le2 package, not overkill. That's just my opinion though.

 

I knew I would get flack for the 2800 converter recommendation, but if you're looking for nice street manners a smaller converter is more pleasant than a larger one. If you're more concerned about performance, go a bit larger. My 383 going in my '95 Camaro, with a LE ported LT4 top end, and a custom cam is going to be backed with a 2800 Vigilante. If need be, I'll pull it and go higher. I expect it will be a bit tight, but I want to drive it and get used to it first.

 

I had a 3k stall on my car with basically stock power and it drove AWESOME on the street. I would easily go that high. I decided to go higher this time around with 3200 with the same power, but a built tranny to handle more since mine burned out.

 

Sounds good to me. I'd make sure you do a really good fluid.

What about the rearend? Maybe do mods out back to help that thing out. Power like that can get you in trouble with the ring gear if you get a little wheelhop while joyriding. Maybe a T/A Cover, thick fluid, 3.42/3.73's if it's in the budget.

 

Does anybody else see the irony in that statement?
BTW, I can relate. Nitrous is why mine's broken too

 

If your not planning on rebuilding the trans and even if you are invest in a tci boost valve its a 26 dollar part that holds your cluchtes tighter this will help you sava a lot of money in the long run, also the are rally easy to install dont even need the tranny out.

 

For my daily driver, just a 3000 stall Edge converter and 3.73 gears was enough to get me in the 12's. The stock motor still only put out 252hp & 303ft lbs of torque, but it was still pretty quick. Those 2 mods alone should be enough to make you happy unless you just want the 400hp dyno sheet

Just keep in mind that as soon as you start beating on the car, the transmission will eventually go south. So start putting some money aside for a rebuild


I'd be afraid to put anything made by TCI in my car their converters have such a bad reputation it's made me scared of their entire product line