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How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? #1292633
08/28/12 12:38 AM
08/28/12 12:38 AM
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mshred Offline OP
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What is it? Im not talking about granny shifting, or hard street driving which is pretty much all tire spin...Im talking straight powershifting, beat the snot outta it track cars.

My 3400lb pig was running 11.80's before the motor just ate a bearing, and I was also going to spray it but not sure if the transmission can handle it...was aiming for high tens, and still using my centerforce dual friction clutch

So I would like to hear how fast you went/how much power, weight of the car, clutch, gear, tire, etc. Just trying to see if it is still worth trying to get a 23 spline to live up to the added power, or if I will be running it on borrowed time

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mshred] #1292634
08/28/12 01:22 AM
08/28/12 01:22 AM
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HPMike Offline
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A 23 spline 833 is still pretty tough..

What are the limitations of it? Hard to say. I built one for a guy many years ago, primarily because 18 spline parts were drying up and getting very pricey. It's held together for around 5 years now, but the car is a high ten second Challenger that runs a Street Twin. Nothing crazy...

Now that parts are no longer scarce, Id be going to an 18 spline if I were you. I suppose you can just wait until the thing grenades, but that could get ugly. It just makes more sense to upgrade that area...

MB

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: HPMike] #1292635
08/28/12 02:38 AM
08/28/12 02:38 AM
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turner Offline
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I had one in my 65 Satellite, 3600lbs, 440, 4 speed, 4:10 geared, would 60' at 1.54 and run 11.30's, also had the 11" centerforce dual friction and a lakewood housing, 28x10 MT slick..........I could never break mine and it was a street car and I would drop the clutch at about 3500 off the line

Last edited by turner; 08/28/12 02:39 AM.
Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mshred] #1292636
08/28/12 02:56 AM
08/28/12 02:56 AM
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Had a 23 spline in a few cars my buddy street raced.

THEY CAN TAKE A BEATING.

Make no mistake about it, For decades I watched one of the best speed shifters on the planet street race. Foot to the floor, yank the gears. Day after day after day.

He had brand new 18 spline transmissions, wouldn't consider using them. He would ONLY use a 23 spline 4 speed, and it HAD to have a scattershield and a pistol grip shifter.


CrAzYMoPaRGuY
Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mshred] #1292637
08/28/12 03:07 AM
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This is almost like an 8-3/4 vs. Dana debate, but to a lesser degree..

Sometimes you have to look at it from another angle. The factory spec'ed two seperate transmissions for the muscle era cars. Not because they just felt like stocking another transmission type, but that very smart engineers determined that it was necessary when looking at the weight, intended usage, and power level of the combo. And they were dealing with 350-450 horse stockers in general day to day use-.....

Measure twice and cut once as they say.....

MB

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: HPMike] #1292638
08/28/12 05:54 PM
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mshred Offline OP
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So would consistent high ten's in a car at my weight (3400lbs with me in it) be out of the equation? I cannot afford the gold mines that are 18 splines

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mshred] #1292639
08/28/12 06:34 PM
08/28/12 06:34 PM
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OH, they can take a real beating right up till one of the speed gears seizes to the mainshaft and you go through the traps with the wheels locked up at 120 mph and the track has to winch your car up on a rollback and when you get back to your pit spot they slam the bed back and forth till your car "comes off" and then you are stuck with a car 20 feet from where it needs to be with no real good way of getting it there.

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: scatpacktom] #1292640
08/28/12 07:22 PM
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Quote:

OH, they can take a real beating right up till one of the speed gears seizes to the mainshaft and you go through the traps with the wheels locked up at 120 mph and the track has to winch your car up on a rollback and when you get back to your pit spot they slam the bed back and forth till your car "comes off" and then you are stuck with a car 20 feet from where it needs to be with no real good way of getting it there.




That sounds like experience talking, had to suck to be you that day.

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mike67net] #1292641
08/28/12 09:11 PM
08/28/12 09:11 PM
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I have ran 23 spline 833's for over 40 years mostly in racing applications and never heard of gears seizing on the shafts. I have broke input shafts, out put shafts and 3rd gear cluster & main gear. As power goes up you will find that the 3rd gear will push away from itself and boom, you got a gunk transmission, did that 3 times. Now run a Liberty pro shifted Doug Nash, I broke that to, shifting into 2nd with the wheels in the air puts allot of stress on 2nd gear, about $1300.00 worth :


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Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: rowin4] #1292642
08/28/12 09:47 PM
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mshred Offline OP
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all I can say is that what I am hearing is not sounding too comforting, although I still dont have a ballpark idea of how much they can take

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mshred] #1292643
08/28/12 11:59 PM
08/28/12 11:59 PM
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Quote:

all I can say is that what I am hearing is not sounding too comforting, although I still dont have a ballpark idea of how much they can take




The answer is easy..

About as much power as a bone stock 340 or 383 puts out.

All kidding aside, not to belabor the point, but the FACTORY felt that all 440/426's got 18 spline trans'...That should give you some indication of how much faith the guys with the horn rimmed glasses and pocket protectors thought, anyway.

Yes, as stated, the 23 spline is pretty tough, but why push the envelope? Heck, the prices on good used 18 spline gears, clusters and input shafts have come way down now that you can buy them in the aftermarket. I recently bought a good used Hemi trans for 600 for a customer. Or you can use your case, synchro assms and main shaft. All you need is a matching gearset a set of bearings, a gasket kit and small parts. Building the trans is about the easiest thing you can do on one of these....

MB

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: mshred] #1292644
08/29/12 09:10 AM
08/29/12 09:10 AM
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Quote:

all I can say is that what I am hearing is not sounding too comforting, although I still dont have a ballpark idea of how much they can take




Why don't you spray it and tell us? None of the guys above have said they are on the juice so their stories only partly help, your clutch may or may not, I'll eer on the side of not, handle the hit of spray so the trans will hold up just fine I would think ...

Buy a couple of spare transmissions and clutches and take them to the track with you .

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: JohnRR] #1292645
08/29/12 09:20 AM
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I've been running low 11's at 121mph at 3400 lbs. Leaving at 6k rpm and power shifting all gears with a 23 spline.

And the only thing that's broken is speed gears gaulding to the main shaft. It does happen.


I just switched to an 18 spline setup for this main reason.

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: LAR_414] #1292646
08/29/12 02:59 PM
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I used to pound my 23 spline all the time and never a hitch now 43 years later I guess it should break but it hasn't.I have had two clutches blow apart and replaced 5 over the years. If its used its at least 40years old or so and when it comes to new you get what you pay

I did have had one break on a 23 spline it was run without oil in it for years and it took a snap ring and two bearings. It would simply not come out of gear until shut off

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: Paul_Fancsali] #1292647
08/29/12 03:21 PM
08/29/12 03:21 PM
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Lets think about this for a second, Its the input shaft thats a fine spline, 23, vs an 18 spline. So really the tranny behind it is the same, only different ratios, but the basic trans is the same. So unless your snapping off, or buzzing the splines bald, they in theory can take as much as an 18 which is a heck of a lot of abuse. A far superior 4 gear than that of any GM, or Ford ever came with. Thats why they were transplanted into so many Camaros, Chevelles, and muskrats back in the day.

I pound the hell out of the tranny in the Demon, and I know there has been a few in this area that got a far worse beating than I can put on one.

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: Moparnut426] #1292648
08/29/12 03:32 PM
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HPMike Offline
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Quote:

Lets think about this for a second, Its the input shaft thats a fine spline, 23, vs an 18 spline. So really the tranny behind it is the same, only different ratios, but the basic trans is the same. So unless your snapping off, or buzzing the splines bald, they in theory can take as much as an 18 which is a heck of a lot of abuse. A far superior 4 gear than that of any GM, or Ford ever came with. Thats why they were transplanted into so many Camaros, Chevelles, and muskrats back in the day.

I pound the hell out of the tranny in the Demon, and I know there has been a few in this area that got a far worse beating than I can put on one.




Sorry, but you're wrong....

18 spline gears are bushed and the teeth are heavier and have more root thickness. The pitch is even different. Other than the mainshaft, case and sychro assms, they are as different as cats and dogs...

MB

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: HPMike] #1292649
08/29/12 03:33 PM
08/29/12 03:33 PM
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Quote:

Quote:

Lets think about this for a second, Its the input shaft thats a fine spline, 23, vs an 18 spline. So really the tranny behind it is the same, only different ratios, but the basic trans is the same. So unless your snapping off, or buzzing the splines bald, they in theory can take as much as an 18 which is a heck of a lot of abuse. A far superior 4 gear than that of any GM, or Ford ever came with. Thats why they were transplanted into so many Camaros, Chevelles, and muskrats back in the day.

I pound the hell out of the tranny in the Demon, and I know there has been a few in this area that got a far worse beating than I can put on one.




Sorry, but you're wrong....

18 spline gears are bushed and the teeth are heavier and have more root thickness. The pitch is even different. Other than the mainshaft, case and sychro assms, they are as different as cats and dogs...

MB




Thanks, didnt know about the bushed gears.

Learn something every day, but the basic design is the same is it not?

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: Moparnut426] #1292650
08/29/12 04:42 PM
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Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Lets think about this for a second, Its the input shaft thats a fine spline, 23, vs an 18 spline. So really the tranny behind it is the same, only different ratios, but the basic trans is the same. So unless your snapping off, or buzzing the splines bald, they in theory can take as much as an 18 which is a heck of a lot of abuse. A far superior 4 gear than that of any GM, or Ford ever came with. Thats why they were transplanted into so many Camaros, Chevelles, and muskrats back in the day.

I pound the hell out of the tranny in the Demon, and I know there has been a few in this area that got a far worse beating than I can put on one.




Sorry, but you're wrong....

18 spline gears are bushed and the teeth are heavier and have more root thickness. The pitch is even different. Other than the mainshaft, case and sychro assms, they are as different as cats and dogs...

MB




Thanks, didnt know about the bushed gears.

Learn something every day, but the basic design is the same is it not?




The design is the same but the gears are different and that is why the 18 spline is stronger than a 23 spline, as Mike said.

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: JohnRR] #1292651
08/29/12 04:57 PM
08/29/12 04:57 PM
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Between a rock & a hard place
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I can tell you about a Brand X car @ 3400#. I sold my last 23 spline to him many years ago...circa late 80's. Car goes 10.80s on slicks and has had HUNDREDS of runs put on it. Yes, the trans is on it's 3rd refresh but has only broke once; an input shaft.

Re: How much of a beating can a 23 spline take??? [Re: cudadoug] #1292652
08/29/12 07:32 PM
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mshred Offline OP
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Hey guys, thanks for all the input! I love racing and driving the stick, but I really want to throw some serious power at this thing on the spray (or possibly stroke it and spray it...engine is coming out again this winter to deal with a bearing issue I had at the last outing). Im just worried that with what I want to do (high tens or faster) that its going to be on borrowed time- my car isn't exactly light, and I powershift the hell out of it, using a non adjustable pressure plate. I already have a backup trans that I keep fresh just in case (had to use it already this year when my main one had a cracked third gear synchro), but if im throwing too much power where it breaks all the time, a spare wont do me good.

I was thinking about an adjustable clutch, but not sure how close I can get it setup without a data logger, and it seems like its the 2-3 gear change that seems to be the weak point for this transmission, so not sure how much the adjustable would help that

18 splines are just too ridiculous in price to buy and convert for an a-body, and to have 2 would be even crazier- I would be better off with a race transmission like a Jerico/G-force of some sort, but those are serious coin used as well, and I would need a new clutch, bell, and shifter also...Gosh does being addicted to speed suck on the financial side of things lol

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