Just got my 87 Z, and I have the urge to try out the RWD burnouts, since that's something I can't do on my Talon/Laser.

I know that heat is what kills an auto tranny. Brake stands will create a lot of heat in the tranny, right? So if I do brakestands am I just killing my tranny really quick?

I know this is a vague question, but nobody who's owned the car has ever done one and I don't want to be the one to wreck it.


Thanks
Trevor

 

Its definitely not GOOD for anything on the car, but its fun. A few times wont hurt much. Just don't overdo it.

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1992 Pontiac Firebird
- 305ci V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Loaded
- MODS: Edelbrock 14x3 Open Element Air Cleaner, Dual outlet exhaust

 

I will tell you from experience that 700R4's don't like to be spun. I had one that was rebuilt and it lasted 5 weeks and they said I blew it up(yeah right!) For some reason I was driving down the road and it wouldn't shift. I had 3rd gear and park. The planetary gear blew up and chewed the tranny all to hell. Take it easy and you should be fine.

 

So I should really try not to do any brake stands then?

I found out that with my 225/50/16 tires that I really can't spin them off the line much at all. Almost tempted to go through some stock 15's on there just so I can spin


Trevor

 

Anything "fun" you do with the car is going to wear parts out faster than "normal" driving. Just keep it in mind. Chances are good that your trans won't fly into pieces, but hey, anything's possible.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Just make sure you let the thing spin freely instead of grind :P If I ever do brake torques (not very often) I only have the brake down for a second if that, just to get the tires going and then i let it up and regain most of my traction. It's not safe but it's not incredibly dangerous if you don't overdo it. I know people who have ragged on their cars for years doing stuff like that but the tranny wont die.

The most dangerous thing I'd say for a tranny would be neutral bombs. Don't EVER rev up the engine in neutral and drop it into gear. My friend did that and his transmission FELL OFF the mounts (as well as broke internal parts). Keep it safe.

 

What been said is true and can happen. But if you want to do smokey burn outs, try this. Use some sort of lubricant type oil (liquid wrench, WD-40, cooking spray, etc ... Yes, I used them all ) and spray a bit on the ground equal in width to your tires' width and where the tire will meet the sprayed surface. Hold the brakes and punch it. As soon as you notice the tires slipping, let off the brake slowly and cautiously. I used this method with my nissan 4 cylinder 5 speed truck and layed down rubber all over a shopping center's (Albertson's) parking lot. The cops and onwer of the place weren't too happy about that, too bad they never found the guy that re-colored his parking lot from gray cement to black. And virtually no tire wear.

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George P. Lara
1984 Z28
2001 SS Coming Soon
SCCA, SCFB, SC3GFB

 

My friend killed his 1991 Mercury Tracer (88 hp) that way. Did neutral bombs about 10 times in succession, made it look like it had some *****, but it died at the end of the day, and got junked the next! That's what manuals are for


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--Steve S--
1984 Trans Am 305 LG4, 5 speed Daily Driver, Flowmaster 80 Series
Holley 600 cfm & vacuum advance
Soon: Edlebrock Intake & TES

 

What engine is in your 87 Z? If it is TPI (even 305 autos with 2.73s) should be able to "light 'em up" just by hitting the throttle from a standing start if they are in good tune.

Sounds like a tune up may be in order.

 

double post

[This message has been edited by Jza (edited July 06, 2001).]

 

You can crack your brake shoes though...

re tire lubricant: bleach squirters. 50s hotrod trick.

a windshield washer pump with bleach in and tubes running to the rear tires. hit the button and go nuts with a huge smokey burnout. i'm not sure about it's effect on paint though...

 

I found out the hard way not to do a neutral drop in my 86 TA. I did it a block before my stopping, and then when I got back into the car and started going again I lost 3rd speed. After that I learned my lesson the hard-way cause now I have to work the whole summer at Shop-Rite (I hate old ladies with their coupons ) to get enough $$$ for a rebuild.

As for brake stands they are pretty harmless, my friend in a Stang has been doing them several times a day for as long as I know him and his tranny shifts nice and crisp still.

-Max

 

Mine's just a carb car. My friend who owned it before me said it used to spin a bit when he'd punch it with the stock 15's, so that's why he went up to 16" tires (To eliminate the spinning).


Trevor