desa4622@KETTERING.EDU writes:

<<I'm looking for a transaxle with gusseting/strengthening
materials, and a stronger gear set, and whatever else is
needed to let the tranny handle  210 lb-ft of torque. i'm
having no problems as of yet, but i have 205560  on the
original tranny, and now i stuck in a hi-po engine...>>

Thats pretty good for an early 091-1 gearbox.  Most of the
time I see about 150K or so before an overhaul might be
necessary.  The most current replacement case is a
stronger aluminum alloy than the original so you'll probably
want to use that.  Now -AFAIK- there are not any HD
mainshafts and gears for 1st and 2nd available in the stock
ratios.  The closest I can get is a 3.78 X 2.21 instead of
the regular 3.78 X 2.06.  Thirds and Fourths are available
in HD stock ratio versions, however.   Figure on a $1000
just for the mainshaft and idler gears with new 3rd and
4th sets.   There are less expensive ones out there but
I don't want to rehash whats already been said about the
value of cheaper components.

 << so to get to the real question.... the people at rancho
performance  transaxles said that my tranny had 4 spider
gears and that it was strong  enough to withstand the brunt
of my engine...... >>

It may or may not have a 4 spider diff.  In fairly new or in
excellent condition a stock transaxle should be able to
handle the HP of a 3.4L Chevy V6.   That is as long as it
isn't abused.  Older transaxles (like ones with over 200K)
might not take the additional strain as well as a younger
one and could possibly fail sooner.

<<...and then i talked to a person from wp racing gears
who said that i only have 2 spider gears and i  would need
a strengthened 3-4 shifter and 4 spider gears and all this
 other stuff, but i'm really really confused......>>

You spoke with either Chris or John there.  Chances are
you do have a 2 spider diff as the 4 spider ones aren't that
common.  And I tend to agree with what they said about
the 3rd/4th shifter (I bet they said hub) and a 4 spider
diff along with some other areas which should be strengthened.

<< oh eyah , and what is a spider gear anyway?  >>

Its the small gear inside the differential housing that transmits
power to the side gears.  These side gears are splined on one
end and the inner CV flanges slip over that shaft.   Without
these spider gears transmitting power from one side to the other
you couldn't go around corners as both the inner and outer
wheels would spin at the same rate/speed.  They allow 'slippage'
and for one wheel to turn at a different rate than the other.  A
2 spider diff has one spider at, say,  12 o'clock and the other
at 6 o'clock.  The 4 spider one would support the sidegears
much better with one at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock.

-Todd Hill
 VolksWerks Transaxles
 Olympia, WA
 360-412-0948