What is a transbrake? What does it do?

[Blk90Notch]

And how come it adds so much to the price of an automatic?

JeffK
Blk90...@aol.com

[Jared Rude]

Blk90Notch wrote

>
>And how come it adds so much to the price of an automatic?

Basically a trans brake is a type of valve body that allows an automatic to
be shifted into first and reverse at the same time. This effectively binds
the transmission and does not let the transmission's planetary gears, input
shaft or output shaft to spin. It allows the transmission to be locked while
you rev the engine and build torque multiplication in the torque convertor
for a faster launch at the drag strip.

It's like holding the brakes and reving the engine to launch faster at the
drags. Only a trans brake is more consistent and it gaurantees the rear
tires won't break loose while the brakes are being held since there is no
torque on the driveshaft.

Don't know why it's so expensive. I imagine that the trans brake needs
upgraded stronger gears than stock. This would add to price also.

--
Jared Rude
1990 LX 5.0
nospam...@bellsouth.net
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[GtoTom5]

>Basically a trans brake is a type of valve body that allows an automatic to
>be shifted into first and reverse at the same time. This effectively binds
>the transmission and does not let the

I believe that it is first and third at the same time. But I may be wrong.

Tom
98 Cobra

[Jared Rude]

Either way, it's binding gears and locking the transmission, which is the
only goal of a trans brake.

--
Jared Rude
1990 LX 5.0
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GtoTom5 wrote

[Phillip Patterson]

Blk90Notch wrote in message <19980919231306...@ng155.aol.com>...

>
>And how come it adds so much to the price of an automatic?
>

>JeffK
>Blk90...@aol.com

Normally, it locks first and third gears, causing the transmission to
"lock". The reason you would want this is to "lock" the transmission, press
a button to engage a rev limiter (at what RPM you want to launch) and press
the gas pedal to the floor. When you want to launch, you release the
trans-brake button, it disables the rev-limiter, and you're already at WOT.
Also, transbrake trannys are fully manual shift, there is no automatic
shifting. A transbrake valve body itself runs about $300-400, then you have
to modify your tranny and install it. If your going to be doing pro or
bracket racing you'd want it. Otherwise, you don't NEED it. Although, I
love my manual valve body in my TH400....

Phillip Patterson
'79 Malibu 454 - 7.66 @ 90 MPH (1/8 mile) All throttle, no bottle...
http//fly.hiwaay.net/~ppatter
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reasons.***

[JK68713]

Thanks for the answers!! I guess I'll be getting one.

jeffk
jk6...@aol.com