Rebuilding the driveline of my c5z. Tasty new parts!

"briannutter1" (briannutter1)
03/31/2014 at 11:35 • Filed to: None

Mechanical overrev last year on my c5z. So I'm replacing some stuff. New DSS carbon shaft, McLeod RXT twin disk, and Quicktime scattershield. Also mapped out the torque tube to see if it was bent and it appears to be fine. Gotta get all this together before the ECTA standing mile event on May 3.

DISCUSSION (17)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 11:43

I'm just a simple unfrozen caveman muscle car enthusiast. Your torque tubes and carbon shafts frighten and confuse me.

briannutter1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/31/2014 at 11:46

Yeah, replacing the stuff is a chore...not like the old days.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 11:48

Torque tubes are the bane of my existence. Such a major pain in the ass on my 944.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 11:51

In fairness, rear trans setups have been around for long enough on the Vette, + the Pontiac Tempest + various Alfas that you'd think they'd be more familiar, but since nothing even remotely downmarket in decades has been set up that way...

Well, I suppose in some respects the Prowler was more downmarket than the 'Vette, but thing's weird, man.

briannutter1 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/31/2014 at 12:13

yep, that's why I bought the good stuff....so I don't have to do it again for a long time.

briannutter1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/31/2014 at 12:20

Yeah, It's more expensive to manufacture, but worth it when weight distribution is critical. Miata BRZ could benefit from it.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 12:25

Yeah, I had to pull apart the clutch in my 944, simply because whoever did the last clutch swap didn't change out the pilot bearing or step the flywheel. Not to mention those things are heavy as hell, so it's hard to maneuver them, and hurts like hell when your helper decides not to listen and lets it go and it smacks you in the head. I swear that gave me a concussion.

Frank Grimes > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/31/2014 at 12:50

nailed it.

Frank Grimes > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 12:50

WHY YOU NO CARBON TORQUE TUBE?

briannutter1 > Frank Grimes
03/31/2014 at 13:12

Don't I know it. With someone would make one. The c7 is steel with a carbon shaft....meaning they probably at least looked into it.

Frank Grimes > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 13:19

I was being an ass. I figured if they can make a super strong carbon driveshaft why not a carbon torque tube. Of course I dont know many things so no idea if it would even make sense to do it.

briannutter1 > Frank Grimes
03/31/2014 at 13:23

Yeah I figured :) In all seriousness, people would buy them at $3k a pop....maybe more. It turns out that it weighs about what the3" aluminum does, but it's able to deflect up to 30 degrees before disintegration vs. 15 degrees of an aluminum shaft before it buckles. Because it's directly running 1:1 with transmission speed, shifting is better with a lighter shaft...so that was my purpose rather than going with a heavier than stock 3.5" one.

Frank Grimes > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 13:25

Where could I learn more about your corvette? Seems awesome. with the serious parts you have going on it.

briannutter1 > Frank Grimes
03/31/2014 at 14:00

Thanks for your interest. It's a work in progress. I've want a pump gas streetcar that does everything, so it's a compromise. The Optima invitational series is a balance of 200 treadwear tires, autocross, road course, drag, braking, and being streetable; so I've built around those rules. I bought a few years back for $27k and 42k miles. CNC ported the stock heads, put a small cam in it, Fast 102 intake, 90mm ls2 tb and headers makes 450whp and 400 tq with the stock ls6 shortblock. Safety is two Kirkey containment seats, nicely fit custom 6 pt bar with swingout/removable door bars, Sparco Harnesses and flatbottom steering wheel on a NRG quick release. Knurled custom titanium shift knob as my hand kept sliding off the stock one in competition. Baer 14" brakes on the front and stock front brakes moved to the back. Solid motor mounts and trans brace. Front swaybar, 1050lb front spring, factory rear spring, Koni 3013's with spherical mounts. Still rubber bushed until I can get sphericals. I run Falken rt615k tires (315/18 on factory 10.5 rear wheels all around). So far, it runs 11.80's at 123 with limited traction and it holds the c/gt record in the Ecta standing mile at 174.55. Next thing this summer is coilovers on the back so I can widen the wheels and minitub to run 335/18 Rivals to restore balance (a little tailhappy now). Also looking to take some weight off the nose this summer. When I get the chassis maxxed out, I'll switch back to more engine work. The car is a keeper, so I'll keep plugging away.

briannutter1 > Frank Grimes
03/31/2014 at 14:01

Kinja'd!!!

Frank Grimes > briannutter1
03/31/2014 at 21:54

Man that sounds sweet. I have wanted and still want a C5Z since they were new and would like to build it as you did to do everything. Seems like you have yourself a real well rounded car!

briannutter1 > Frank Grimes
03/31/2014 at 22:08

Thanks for appreciating it as an exercise. It takes a lot of restraint, but its good to problem solve for another .1 second rather than sacrifice money randomly to the god of speed.