TH425 used in Vector W8?
#1
TH425 used in Vector W8?
So, I just got my latest issue of the Hagerty magazine yesterday. Usually I just flip through them and put them in the break room at work. This month they had an article about the Vector W8. Has anyone else read it?
The article mentions that the Vector W8 used a "slushbox" TH425 out of an Olds Toronado with upgraded internals. Apparently, the TH425 wasn't a good choice for the Vector and resulted in high failure rates. Frankly, I was surprised to read this about the most durable automatic transaxle GM made (maybe I'm a biased reader). True, the TH425 was probably a poor choice for a supercar, but I thought it would be easy to build a TH400/TH425 to survive 600+ HP... I guess the problem was due to spinning the TH425 fast enough to move the car to 150+ mph. I doubt there are many Oldsmobiles that ACTUALLY drive that fast.
The article mentions that the Vector W8 used a "slushbox" TH425 out of an Olds Toronado with upgraded internals. Apparently, the TH425 wasn't a good choice for the Vector and resulted in high failure rates. Frankly, I was surprised to read this about the most durable automatic transaxle GM made (maybe I'm a biased reader). True, the TH425 was probably a poor choice for a supercar, but I thought it would be easy to build a TH400/TH425 to survive 600+ HP... I guess the problem was due to spinning the TH425 fast enough to move the car to 150+ mph. I doubt there are many Oldsmobiles that ACTUALLY drive that fast.
#2
The real problem (well aside from the fact that Gerry Weigert was more of a huckster than Delorean...) is that they modified the TH425 to mount the engine transversely. This required a custom right angle drive between the trans output shaft and the differential. You can see the cover for the TH425 chain drive in this drawing.
#3
I was surprised that a TH425 and small block Chevy engine were used in the Vector. The article indicated that Weigert wanted the Vector to be hi-tech and groundbreaking. A TH425 and SBC engine are neither. I would expect them to be used in an episode of Roakill Garage not in a $200k+ supercar.
#4
I was surprised that a TH425 and small block Chevy engine were used in the Vector. The article indicated that Weigert wanted the Vector to be hi-tech and groundbreaking. A TH425 and SBC engine are neither. I would expect them to be used in an episode of Roakill Garage not in a $200k+ supercar.
#5
the Vector W2 "concept car" dates from '78 - the W8 production cars finally came out for the '90 model year
for '78 it would've been groundbreaking for a US car, by comparison Countach debuted in 1974 and was in production thru '89
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_W2
for '78 it would've been groundbreaking for a US car, by comparison Countach debuted in 1974 and was in production thru '89
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_W2
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kartmaster
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September 22nd, 2013 08:58 PM