I've heard that the trans can only Handle 150 hp. Are there stronger gears and such available? Or do you just deal with a glass trans?
I've been autocrossing these transaxles ( 4 speeds ) for 35 years and have never broke any gears. I have seen 148 HP on the PBS dyno out of a 1500 with 45 DCOE'S. My engine is a 1650 CC with duel 40 MM TWM throttle bodies which flow slightly more 45 DCOE's with 36 chokes. My engine is also pumped up in every way you can imagine so I don't think you will have a problem with 150 HP. I do remember PBS haveing trouble with 5th gear when they were road racing but I think that was due to an oiling problem and the fact that 5th gear is in single shear. Also the 5 speed differential is a little suspect if you wind up the RPM'S and drop the clutch such as Pro Solo. Other than that you should be good.
Charlie
This is what I've read on other forums. Still learning, seems most the really in the know hang hear, But at the same time I am trying to figure out when I get an X do I turbo or swap. I've had plenty of cars that have had "weak" trans 2 5.0's and a couple DSM's the mustangs couldn't handle much more than stock. The eclipse had 400hp so that's 2x the hp and torque. Just don't be dumb and dump the cluch.
LOL, you gotta take what you read on the web with a grain of salt. The term "glassbox" is slung around alot for my 2002 Subaru WRX as well. Yeah they shatter, but it's usually people doing clutch dumps and all out abusing the drivetrain. I've autoX'd my WRX alot and never had a single transmission problem with it (and its at 300hp).
As for the X-1/9 trans, I have 2 X-1/9's, one's got a turbo at about 105hp at stock boost, and the RaceX is a fully prepped motor (still in process of building) at about 130hp, I have no worries about the trans.
If I do go turbo I will probably stage my boost to asend in each gear. 1st = 9 2nd= 11 3rd-5th=15 I did this with my dsm but higher boost settings. Should help with reliability and traction.