I'm debating whether to tow or drive a 94Z 396 stroker with TH400 and 4.10 rear from Detroit to Stanton, MI for a race on Saturday (~160 miles one way). Since the TH400 doesn't have an overdrive, what's a reasonable rpm limit for cruising long distances, 3k? 3.5k? less? or am I insane for even thinking about driving it there?

 

With 4.10's and a "street" tire (25.7" diameter) you are going to be turning 3,760rpm at 70mph. Even more with a non-locking converter. I run the TH400, 4.10's and a Gear Vendor, and I tow to the track, which is 6 miles from my house.

On the other hand, many years ago, the typical street car was running those kind of RPM's on the street, because none of the trannies had O/D back then, and everybody who raced ran 4.11's or 4.56's. I don't remember anyone towing their car to the track in the 60's.

 

I say tow, because Stanton always has awesome traction, especially at all the "M" events, so the chances of breakage are always there, especially with a high horsepower application and a stock rear end. (I'm assuming you've got those 4.10s in a stock 10 bolt?)

 

One of the biggest surprises that I had getting back into drag racing and fast cars after a 20 year absence was the relative low rpms that everybody was running. Now, 7000rpms is considered high. My old, tired 283 with 120,000 miles routinely hit 7k in first when I wound out my Powerglide. :-)
I can remember newly-introduced solid roller rocker-equipped small blocks reving beyond 10k back in the late 70's.
On the positive side, I was amazed at the performance improvements of fuel injection over carbs, in terms of fuel efficiency, drivability and power output.

 

I thought about the possibility of breakage, too. Even though I won't be trying out my transbrake, I'm still a little leary about launching on a 10-bolt rear. I was impressed with Stanton's traction at the Nationals. It's way stickier than Milan. My son and his buddy both have 10-bolts in their Camaros as well and they're going to be testing their bottle-fed cars for the first time. If one of them breaks, we'll have a tow vehicle and I can always drive my car back if that happens.

 

From what I remember your car launches pretty hard. I do not think the 10 bolt will hold up. My advice would be to get your car trailered.

 

Nobody answered your last question.....YES! you are insane for even thinking of driving there.

 

With the stock rear I would tow it. I drive just about anywhere with mine but a transbrake and a 10 bolt just doesn't make sense.

 

I'm not going to use the TB until I get a real rear under the car. And I've decided to tow it if I can get a dolly from my buddy.