I bought my DR4 around 1997. It's been behind 10.5" Soft-locks, dual 8" "Mag-Force" diaghram, and 10" Sportsman single. It's been "over clutched" (the Mag-Force), shifted both with and with out the clutch (only of course while testing
) and has been from a mid 11 second stocker to a mid 10 second stocker to a 9" tired 10.00 Super Stocker. Through all this, no breakage. One worn front bushing was replaced. I've changed gearsets looking for ET and never once did I find worn or broken parts (except the bushing).
Now I'm going to a big tire, more HP and higher launch. If not for the confidence I have in the new Sportsman Dual 7" clutch I'm adding, I might be worried. But I'm not.
Used DR4's are $2000-$2500 and often times are advertised as being a fresh rebuild from Jerico. Used Soft Locks seem to be $800 +/- ?
I'd give up racing if I had to give up my 4-speed!