Who has broken a drivetrain before?

ColzaColza Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
I am about to buy a Shuttle 4wd box to run in a Civic 4wd project, and i have some questions regarding gearbox strength.

I have read much about these boxes, many people have opinions, few people have facts. Many people consider them 'weak' but it has been proven that they can stand up to both turbo applications and a locked 50:50 front-rear bias.

My question is, when they break, what breaks first? I will be running somewhere in the region of 200-250whp when the car is finished and will probably keep a centre diff of some sort, not necessarilly a shuttle one, with a modified control system to better suit a race situation.

So, when you lunch a drivetrain what gives? Transfer case? Rear diff? Rear driveshafts? So far I have yet to here of anyone actually breaking something, which is quite an encouraging start :)

Comments

  • akiraboyakiraboy HondaCivicWagon.com Founder
    what gives? In my opinoin it depends...if you're suggesting that you're going to lock the center differential you may experience a transfer case failure.
    But again, it depends on how you drive it, launch it, abuse it. I've said it before, DSM,Subie, and Audi guys have all blown something in the drivetrains(and our systems are not near as strong as theirs). No one system is bulletproof especially a 20 year old rt4wd system. My suggestion is to choose your parts wisely and rebuild or repalce drivetrain components as needed.

    btw, welcome to the board.
  • pas_wagovanpas_wagovan Wagonist
    have you looked into the crv? one guy here is puting in a B-series a crv trans is a wagovan. he had problems with the trans mount.
  • ColzaColza Band Wagon
    I dont think adapting a B series transmission is worth the effort unless the Wagon box turns out to be very weak. I do not have space to run a B series motor so that is out.

    I am intending to install the Wagon box and take it from there. If something breaks, build it stronger.

    So far we have transfer case as a possible weakness, anyone have trouble with rear diffs?
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    :( The 1 I bought was a bad transfer case.The taper roller bearing exploded punching a hole throught the 5 bolt cover.I've seen several ads for blown trannies in 4WD wagons for sale. :( :cry: :cry:
  • pas_wagovanpas_wagovan Wagonist
    i have a blown trans from a nother member. havent loked at it yet. it has a big hole in it. i have 3 rt4wds. all have a klunk in the rear when you shift hard, one 88 has a whine after 2nd only accelerating, other 88 with a 91 trans grinds going into 3rd fast, but the 90 is low miles and is real nice.

    why not go with a b. if you are going to do all that work why not put power with it. you have a lot of work to do. have fun with it.
  • davensdavens familEE
    The problem with this site, is that we have a pretty small group...not enough of a sample group to really see any trends.
    The Standard L3 civic/crx transmissions are not know for their bullet proof nature. I consider them the achilles heal of the otherwise energizer bunny-like D16a6. So aside from the standard bearings and synchro problems, my vote goes for the transfer case.
    I say the transfer case because its the only bad wagon tranny I've seen in person (fragged to bits in a junkyard). And considering what it does, it just looks fragile. The RT4wd system is Honda reliable at stock horsepower, or even with some decent mods, but when you start doubling power and mixing in some strenuous competition, something is gonna give.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    My guess is the rear diff.

    If you lock that in, its a different ratio to the front (almost half), therefore your building pressure up.

    Again it can only be speculation, but the other part i see as being weak is the shift forks.

    Welcome, Colza! I'm Haydz on NZHondas... ;) Good to see another flightless bird in here.. :D
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