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How much HP will the getrag handle?

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Old 10-18-2007, 08:38 PM
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How much HP will the getrag handle?

I was just wondering if anybody knows how much a getrag will handle. I'm planning on pulling and adding some speed parts. Just wonderin if the getrag will hold around 400-450. Also, does anybody make heavy duty parts for the getrag? Thanks in advance.......ONETWOPUNCH
Old 10-18-2007, 08:49 PM
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the stock getrag will hold a TON... people seem to hate it, but it's all in the way you drive it. i believe stomp still had (or has) the stock getrag and put down 650+hp The getrag is NOT a fast shifting tranny, but will handle a bunch of power. That being said, i had a deal i couldn't refuse on an nv4500 swap, so i did it.
Old 10-18-2007, 09:04 PM
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Well i'm planning on running it until she blows. I've read that they will hold quite a bit as well so i guess i'll just have to find out.
Old 10-18-2007, 09:55 PM
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what about for towing? im always hearing about towable power, and how a lot of guys on here who are making 300+hp don't use their trucks for heavy towing(8,000-13.000lbs)for fear of destruction of the getrag.
Old 10-18-2007, 10:06 PM
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There are two problems with the Getrag.

Inadequate cooling of front bearing - solved by overfilling.

Inadequate bearings - the getrag does not like low rpms and heavy loading. Keep the revs up (don't let it rattle) and it will pull any load AND not leave you stranded. I am not sure I would bother changing to an NV, even if I had all of the parts. I am often thousands of km's from home far from repair shops and I trust the Getrag to get me home.
Old 10-19-2007, 01:07 AM
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I dont think I abused my getrag.

It let go with no engine mods at all, but pulling a 7klb trailer up a steep hill.

3rd gear sheared all of the splines off of the inside of the gear at the main shaft.

I have an NV4500 now.
Old 10-19-2007, 04:28 AM
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Anything will "let go" when it is predisposed to do so for reasons unrelated to it's fundamental suitability for purpose.

Probably a hundred good Getrags went to the crusher in trucks that either died or were discarded for other reasons, for every one that someone had trouble with in a running truck.

I'd also wager that ratio will compare more favorably to the NV after enough time has elapsed to compare their relative performance over time. Pure speculation, based on the extremely limited anecdotal evidence I've seen on various boards. Commonly re-ocurring 5th gear failures in the same gearbox comes to mind....
Old 10-19-2007, 09:44 AM
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I bought my Dodge to pull loads to and from Alaska, i put a Banks kit in it to get more power on those big hills... Not long after that, my Getrag let go...

I replaced the getrag with an nv4500, and looking back now, i'm sure glad i didn't sink any $$ into the Getrag!

Robert
Old 10-19-2007, 10:19 AM
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what does the nv4500 swap run, in a shop(i cause havoc with a wrench)?
Old 10-19-2007, 11:06 AM
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If you pay some one to do it?

Well, around $3000 plus labor if you get a new trans from what I can find online.

Andy
Old 10-19-2007, 02:51 PM
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It has been a long time since I did my Getrage conversion, but I think I rember spending more like $2k in parts.

I am glad I dumped my getrag too....

I got my truck used, so I didn't know its history, and when I pulled out the broken Getrag, it had a REMAN tag on it... That was basically like a big huge neon sign that says "DONT PUT ME BACK IN THAT TRUCK"
Old 10-19-2007, 04:36 PM
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KTA's yellow truck has a Getrag, too. He did break it drag racing - with 500+ HP and a utility body.

My Getrag has held up fine so far.

Bill's post is right on.
Old 10-19-2007, 05:09 PM
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so my power goal of 250hp, in a work truck, that often tows a bobcat773, with several large attachments on my bed, is realistic with my stock tranny(if properly driven and filled)
Old 10-19-2007, 05:10 PM
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I was always told the getrag has a very tough 1st and 2nd gear so for sled pullin it sould be fine in 1st or 2nd high.
Old 10-19-2007, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by u.s mma
so my power goal of 250hp, in a work truck, that often tows a bobcat773, with several large attachments on my bed, is realistic with my stock tranny(if properly driven and filled)
Sure, just don't lug it. Keep the RPM over 1800 when you're working the truck.


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