I don't know if Tom cares if I post this... but he recently picked up a set of those TOGA rods.... he had the owner of an extreemly reputable performance engine shop take a look at them.... he said they look very good and was very surprized that they were that cheap.
Given they actually say "600HP and 8,000 RPM " on the site..... they must be capable.... or that would be false advertizing.
IPP is part of flatlander racing..... it's a huge company..... so I'm sure they wouldn't throw out specifications unless they were sure it handle it.
I think I'm going to pick up a set or two or three.
As far as Ned.... ya... I'd agree he's lucky.... and crazy at the same time
With an Auto tranny you have the cushion effect from the torque converter.... a 5spd might be a little quicker but I have to wonder if a Getrag 282 will take that kind of power with slicks.
I'm trying to remember..... it's been a while since I was into the J-Body stuff.... there is also an uprated version of that tranny called Getrag 283 found in a couple different cars... think it was the supercharged Bonnyville SSE.... it's basicly a 282 that's been fixed up to take more power.
I think it was mated to the 3.8L Supercharged engine.... so I'm not sure if the bellhousings match up..... didn't get that far in my research...... but I know there was a guy pushing 600hp with his turbo 3.8L Bonnyville.
For myself.... I'm looking at the new Getrag F40.... the design is very impressive.... it should be one of the strongest Opel engine compatible transmissions they've ever made ( suppose to be stonger, lighter and smoother than the F28 )
You could probably get this F40 (6spd) into your Sunbird with some creative tranny mount work.
In the USA it can be found mated to the 3.9L V6 as well as the Saab turbo engine.
In Europe it can be found mated to the Z20LET/LEH .... which is our engine.
I belive they made different bell housing castings for different engines.... and from what I've found the bell housing plates also house a bearing or two.... so it's not the easiest thing to convert.
My hope is to find out if the Saab turbo bell housing is compatible with ours..... if not I will be trying to either import the European F40 or purchase the bell housing section from a dealer in Europe and convert a north american F40.
My fingers are crossed that they made two bell housings... one for all the different 4cyl engines and one for all the V6 engines.
