This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of THE SHOP magazine.
The engine, transmission and rear end aren’t officially known as the “big three” of any vehicle, but maybe they should be. After all, they are creating power, shifting gears and turning wheels to get and keep things moving.
From the racetrack to the street to the trail, all specialty vehicles have the same goal—get the power to the ground. With that in mind, it’s easy for shops selling and installing performance drivetrain components to make a case for treating these systems as integral parts of the driving experience.
Performance drivetrain product suppliers are here to offer insights on the common misconceptions and unexpected benefits shops may encounter in this market, plus sales strategies and new product descriptions to help their customers gain traction.
OPTIONS & UPSELLS
Many drivers direct their focus solely under the hood when searching for horsepower gains. Industry professionals know that an upgraded drivetrain setup is just as essential to overall performance.
“Shops that understand that the drivetrain of a car is equally as important as the engine build are ahead of the game,” says Krista Baldwin, director of marketing for FTI Performance. “When a customer wants that high-horsepower street or track car, a lot of the time they don’t think of the drivetrain. Once a shop explains that the drivetrain is a vital part of the car build, then the customer will be very happy they picked the correct drivetrain to handle the amount of horsepower for their vehicle, and they should have no issues on or off the track.”
Enthusiasts often turn to shops for advice and installation recommendations because, when it comes to the drivetrain market, there are plenty of choices to be made.
“Options and upsells are a benefit when someone is upgrading their driveline,” says J.C. Cascio, director of business development for Strange Engineering. “Some of the driveline upgrades are labor-intensive, which make it a ‘convenient time’ to upgrade related parts. An example would be changing a gear or differential. The entire rear needs to come apart to service the gear and/or posi (limited slip). Upgrades like axles, bearings, brakes, etc., would all be sensible options for someone to save some labor costs.”
In some instances, choices are handled through pre-selected component kits.
“Beyond technical precision and dependable performance, an underappreciated benefit of selling and installing Yukon Gear Kits is how much shop time they save—techs can avoid sourcing multiple parts, reduce lift time and minimize customer wait times,” says Jonathan Brower, national accounts director, Yukon Gear & Axle. “This efficiency not only boosts throughput but also strengthens your shop’s reputation for professionalism. Plus, offering quality parts gives customers peace of mind and reinforces repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.”
And, if a shop ultimately needs help with its choices, suppliers are ready with recommended solutions.
“When working with Auburn Gear, shops that install our products have direct access to technical support from the factory,” says Conner Hoagland, aftermarket business unit manager.
GOOD TO KNOW
Suppliers look to set the record straight about the common misconceptions they run into when serving the performance drivetrain market.
“When choosing an FTI converter, a common misconception is that you choose a converter based on just the advertised stall number,” says Baldwin. “But the converter is determined by average car weight, gear, ratio and more. Our customer service team is available to lead the customer when choosing the correct converter based on their vehicle.”
For Brower, a frequent misconception is the belief that installing gear sets piecemeal or using generic kits is as reliable—and/or faster—than using a complete, application-matched Yukon Gear Kit.
“In reality, blending unmatched components often leads to setup issues, wrong parts or premature failure,” he reveals. “Emphasizing that YGK kits are accurate and rigorously validated for both fit and finish helps shops avoid these costly—or even dangerous—mistakes.”
For Cascio, confusion can sometimes come in the form of different applications.
“Driveline products, like axles, use different materials and heat treatments to accommodate different applications. The misconception is that ‘race’ products are better/stronger and, therefore, better for street cars,” he reveals. “For example, Strange’s Hy-Tuf line of axles are through-hardened, which improves the torsional strength of the shaft, which is great for drag race applications. The Alloy line of axles is induction-hardened, which allows the axles to flex to handle road conditions like speed bumps, railroad tracks and potholes. In a time where ‘drag-and-drive’ is gaining popularity, it is important to find the right combination for each project.”
Hoagland, meanwhile, battles against expected inventory.
“High-volume units are kept in stock; low volume is build-to-order,” he explains.
MAXIMUM RESULTS
For maximized sales of drivetrain products, Auburn’s Hoagland recommends first considering the benefits of working with quality suppliers.
“We have found that MAP pricing is essential for helping our distributors stay competitive in the market,” he says.
Those benefits can also come in the form of a customer service line, says Baldwin from FTI Performance.
“We have a whole team of technicians who live and breathe converters and automatic transmissions. Don’t chance a customer’s build with a poor decision for the drivetrain. We are here to help you and help the customer have a kick-ass car and build something that you both will be proud of.”
Prepackaged kits save time and resources while instilling confidence in buyers, notes Brower from RANDYS.
“Position Yukon Gear Kits not just as drivetrain components, but as complete solutions—highlight how they streamline installs with one part number and avoid downtime associated with missing or mismatched parts,” he suggests. “Educate your customers on the expanded benefits of better traction, increased towing capacity and ideal gear ratios for upgraded tires or rugged terrain. Then, couple that with efficient installation workflows and clear itemized quotes to help customers appreciate the value and confidently invest.”
The ultimate goal is to offer solutions that can seamlessly handle today’s big-power projects.
“Horsepower and torque numbers have increased tremendously over the past few decades. The drivelines supplied from the factory are not capable of handling the numbers that a motor produces with a simple bolt-on supercharger, turbo or nitrous kit,” says Cascio from Srange Engineering. “If someone is investing into their engine program, it only makes sense to build a driveline that will handle the power and avoid potential catastrophic failures.”
PERFORMANCE DRIVETRAIN PRODUCTS
HOT PRODUCT: Grip-N-Loc Limited-Slip Differential
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Popular for GM 8.5-inch center sections; coned clutches reduce chatter at slow speeds and increase torque five-times greater than OEM differentials.
Auburn Gear
Conner Hoagland
Aftermarket Business Unit Manager
HOT PRODUCTS: 10R80 Torque Converters
FEATURES & BENEFITS: CAD-designed, CNC-machined and equipped with billet stators; custom stall configurations create a single-disc lock-up converter suited for the street and track; TIG-welded by hand.
FTI Performance
Krista Baldwin
Director of Marketing
HOT PRODUCTS: Yukon Gear Kits (YGK Series)
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Comprehensive re‑gear packages that include both front and rear ring-and-pinion gear sets plus a full Master Overhaul Kit bundled under one part number; span a range of gear ratios and applications to suit everything from lifted trucks to trail-proven Jeeps.
RANDYS Worldwide
Jonathan Brower
National Accounts Director
HOT PRODUCTS: Complete rear end assemblies
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Turnkey assembly bolts in with no worries of mismatched components or compatibility issues; popular offerings include the Strange S-Trac differential and 35-spline alloy axles; other race options include 9-inch aluminum cases, gun-drilled axles and more.
Strange Engineering
J.C. Cascio
Director of Business Development