C5/C6 transaxle in a C3
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Has anyone tried, or have they just "eyeballed" it? I could see where the center compartment floor might have to be modified, and obviously the rear of the frame would have to be modified to mount the rear suspension cradle but it seems like a cost effective way to significantly upgrade the rear suspension, differential, and reduce weight.
Looking on eBay you can get the rear end and suspension for less than what you'd pay for a complete rear suspension from VBP.
Looking on eBay you can get the rear end and suspension for less than what you'd pay for a complete rear suspension from VBP.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Normally not needed since we already have 50/50 weight dist. or can have easily.
It's been done.
http://phillymotorsports.com/69_C5_Conversion.htm
It's been done.
http://phillymotorsports.com/69_C5_Conversion.htm
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
It's not a matter of need, it's a matter of wanting to do something different. A REAL stock appearing C3 with a complete C5/C6 drivetrain and suspension, not a tube frame chassis replicar. I was considering doing the whole Tom's Differentials 12-bolt rear end with the forged 30 spline yokes, shafts, and spindles but that'll run you around $4000 and you haven't even touched the suspension yet. Add offset trailing arms, dual mount spring, smart struts, QA1 shocks, and a custom Speedway Engineering sway bar and you're over $6000.
With my own fabrication, I should be able to install a complete C5/C6 front and rear suspension for less than half that and I think it would be alot more trick. Plus, it would be easy to then add big brakes to the package.
With my own fabrication, I should be able to install a complete C5/C6 front and rear suspension for less than half that and I think it would be alot more trick. Plus, it would be easy to then add big brakes to the package.
Last edited by Monty; Feb 17, 2006 at 10:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Your basically talking about doing a back-half and a front-half frame mod. Nice idea, I'd love the challenge. But unless your doing most of the work, the hours ($) add up quickly. I would do one for a customer, but I would think the bid on that job might exceed $30k.(using a salvaged C-5,$5k)
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Originally Posted by Monty
It's not a matter of need, it's a matter of wanting to do something different. A REAL stock appearing C3 with a complete C5/C6 drivetrain and suspension, not a tube frame chassis replicar. I was considering doing the whole Tom's Differentials 12-bolt rear end with the forged 30 spline yokes, shafts, and spindles but that'll run you around $4000 and you haven't even touched the suspension yet. Add offset trailing arms, dual mount spring, smart struts, QA1 shocks, and a custom Speedway Engineering sway bar and you're over $6000.
With my own fabrication, I should be able to install a complete C5/C6 front and rear suspension for less than half that and I think it would be alot more trick. Plus, it would be easy to then add big brakes to the package.
With my own fabrication, I should be able to install a complete C5/C6 front and rear suspension for less than half that and I think it would be alot more trick. Plus, it would be easy to then add big brakes to the package.
Good Luck Monty.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Yeah, that's cool. I'm just brainstorming here. I was just curious to know if anyone has already done it, other than with the aftermarket tube frame cars. I've basically got "a clean sheet of paper" with this car to start with, so I'm trying to do a little better job of planning the end result for the car than I did with the first twin turbo car. I'm starting to think about putting more emphasis on high-performance suspension and brakes - better than all the VBP stuff I used before, and less emphasis on brutal horsepower. Maybe in the 600-800hp range rather than the 1200+hp range.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
That whole concept is slick as snot on a brass doorknob....
tell you what, I wish Monte, and Chris (69myway) lived close by, hell of a party every damn weekend...
all you all crazy as me....
GENE
tell you what, I wish Monte, and Chris (69myway) lived close by, hell of a party every damn weekend...
all you all crazy as me....
GENE
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by Monty
Has anyone put a C5/C6 transaxle and/or rear suspension in a C3 yet?
The forum photo pages are down right now. I was going to send you some picture from a Lake Tahoe all Vette car show. C-1 C2's, & c-3 bodies cloned on to late model Vette chassis. The 66 with a Z0-6 running gear was a show stopper.
It's been a fairly common thing for 4-5 years now with the show and shine boys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
How strong are they? I know there are some very high power C5's out there but I'm curious what they do to beef up the trasaxle. You could even greatly increase the foot room if you had any desire to do so, but I'm over 6' and have no foot space problems. Don't know what else to do with all that space. Actually moving the trans to the back would probably do a lot to reduce cabin heat. Coilovers would be the obvious way to go for shocks/springs. I would suggest an overall C5/6 "theme" but I know you're going the sleeper route.
Handling is where it's at, I'm not saying just anyone can throw together a 1200HP engine but the fun and the cool engineering are definitely in the chassis and suspension.
Chris
Handling is where it's at, I'm not saying just anyone can throw together a 1200HP engine but the fun and the cool engineering are definitely in the chassis and suspension.
Chris
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
It is may understanding that only the automatic tranny's are directly bolted to the differential (thus a trnasaxle), and that the manual tranny's were still bolted to the engine and connected to the differential via a conventional driveshaft. If that's correct, I want to apologize for any confusion. I intend to use a 5 or 6 speed, I was just referring to the C5/C6 diff and rear suspension, I guess I should have been more clear and not used the word "transaxle" as that was incorrect.