Output shaft, differential strut or both??

[PaulS]

Okay I'm at 404 rwhp, probably 430rwhp after I get this new house behind me and get some headers.

I'm looking at drag radials and am thinking for somewhat cheap insurance I should install a hardened output shaft. But then I'm thinking about everything else "while your in there"...So it's hardened output shaft, check the tranny over, reverse gear is a pita sometimes, install steel shift forks and a new clutch and adjustable clutch master cylinder.
CA-Ching!

OR a differential strut from dynotech? Seems like a no brainer if this works like it says it does....I install it myself in 2 hours (according to their website) and I'm done. No hardened output shaft needed?

I have 22k miles on my '02 Z06, what do all of you think???

[bpf1970]

Paul,

I checked out the differential strut and it looks like a pretty good idea, except it adds 26lbs to the car. The drag radials will make up far more time than 26lbs would lose though.

The writeup made it seem like they couldn't break the drivetrain w/ the strut installed. They make it sound like it's a no brainer. Anybody have any real world experiences?

[No Doubt]

HP and Torque is nice but only as useful as the overall reliability of the car itself, imo.

That said, it's typically the diff case that cracks or is torn from the trans. When that happens the trans output shaft is bent. This can and has happened due to wheel hop even during relatively normal driving given enough h.p. and toque. For this reason I have the DTE diff/trans strut brace.

[J-Rod]

The brace is no replacement for a hardened shaft...

I would do a shaft first. Especially during a gear swap.

You only end up replacing the shift fork if you bend the stock one. For instance, I still have the stock one in my car after well over 100+ passes.

With all that said, the only two cars I have seen tear the rear diff out of the car on were a 422 on gas, and a heavily moded stroker. Most cars will not tear the case apart. However, the cost of the brace is much less ( and good insurance) in case you get into the situations where you might need one.

We will probably be putting one on Tommy's car this winter. But, after 45-50 passes with a car making 503/455 and leaving @ 6600-6800 (1.4x - 60' typically) everything appears to be fine.

In most street cars, a shaft will be all you need. Several vendors carry them. Prices are all about the same. I like looks of the one from DTE ... We have one from another vendor in the rear currently, and its holding up fine...

[Mufflerbearing]

Just installed the DTE brace last weekend and I can tell you that even on a hoist you are looking at close to four hours.

Exhaust system from headers back needs to be pulled and the reach on some of the upper rod nuts is a PITA.

If for some reason you need to pull your rear end, install it then.

Pat

[C5 CU]

i have both hardened shaft and a brace, although not the DTE brace....and i still don't have the financial confidence to do a 6000rpm clutch dump launch ... I am stuck at 4000rpm launch and 1.7 60ft ... in order for me to have low 1.6 60ft i would have to gut-up to ET-streets and 6000rpm launch and then say hello to 10.9 ....

[BLU-BY-U]

I had a hardened shaft installed sometime back when I needed a clutch. Lots (probably 75) of 6000 launches on et streets with anywhere from 370-400rwhp over the past year.

I recently had RPM in Lewisville install 3.90 gears and their proprietary strut brace since the rear was apart anyways. I saw the piece in person, and even picked it up, and there is no way that thing weighed 26lbs? I'd say a lot less than that. Maybe the DTE piece is heavier? Besides, extra weight at the rear axle isn't as bad as adding weight on the front of the car...

[Man 'O War]

Where's a link for this strut brace? What does it support or keep from moving under hard acceleration? Keep the driveline straight?

[C5 CU]

Originally Posted by Man 'O War

Where's a link for this strut brace? What does it support or keep from moving under hard acceleration? Keep the driveline straight?

the RPM brace keeps housing from torque-ing and cracking during launch...good product.

[MikesZ06]

I have the hardened half shaft and the hardened main shaft and yesterday we ordered the brace from DynoTech. I got the opportunity to see it already installed on Z06 Tom's Z at the fest and I liked the fit. As J-Rod said, it makes for pretty cheap insurance.
My install costs will be lower of course since the engine is out of the car and it shouldn't take too long to drop the tranny for the install.

Mike

[ZO6/Les]

Mike,

I can tell I don't get to this board enough, I didn;t know your motor was out - WTF??

BTW I agree on the hardened output shaft - a must have, my dealer installed it for free after I hurt the ring & pinion, I supplied the part.

Les

Originally Posted by MikesZ06

I have the hardened half shaft and the hardened main shaft and yesterday we ordered the brace from DynoTech. I got the opportunity to see it already installed on Z06 Tom's Z at the fest and I liked the fit. As J-Rod said, it makes for pretty cheap insurance.
My install costs will be lower of course since the engine is out of the car and it shouldn't take too long to drop the tranny for the install.

Mike

[OpticZ06]

Best money you can spend .......

[Kat]

We will be buying one. This is what ours looks like after yesterday





I did get a new best before it blew though

[Ernie King]

Wow, Kat, Sorry to see that happen.. What Rpm did you launch at and what was the 60' time.. I'm a little less in power than you but thats sick..

Ernie

[Kat]

Originally Posted by Ernie King

Wow, Kat, Sorry to see that happen.. What Rpm did you launch at and what was the 60' time.. I'm a little less in power than you but thats sick..

Ernie

Thanks

Pat thinks appox. 5500 he was driving that pass. No 60ft times.. Maybe 3 inches. It blew on the starting line. We weren't even cutting good 60's yesterday the best was my 1.75