[PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
[PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop...
I put a driveshaft loop on the old Torque arm if anyone is interested to see how I did it. Pretty easy considering I already had the torque arm off the car ;).
Click here for the Webpage.
Click here for the Webpage.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (BlackRocket)
Thanks BlackRocket...I do run with a RCI tranny blanket so I am covered there too ;). I just got the generic loop kit from Summit. I think it was about $20 and would do 2 Vettes.
Curtis, not sure why the link did not work for you. The EV1 server may have burped or something.
[Modified by Vette92, 2:39 AM 12/27/2001]
Curtis, not sure why the link did not work for you. The EV1 server may have burped or something.
[Modified by Vette92, 2:39 AM 12/27/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Hawaii89vette)
What does the driveshaft loop do? Is that a safety item so that the driveshaft don't fly off?
-Tim
-Tim
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Vette92)
Chris, have you got that mounted forward enough????????
Looks like it's to far from the front u-joint???????
Looks like it's to far from the front u-joint???????
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Vette92)
That looks pretty awesome and very easy to do. It doesn't look like it would really affect taking the torque arm, driveshaft off. I learned that it's easier to do them both at the same time then to try and force one around the other.
I was kinda curious about the placement, I always thought it would need to be placed near the end, rather one on each end. But from looking at it, especially on the vette's short driveshaft, it looks like in the middle you would be fine. If either u-joint breaks it should keep the driveshaft from launching or otherwise seriously damaging the car.
BTW, I have seen these in Summit, if you could find the exact part number I'd be thrilled. This looks like an easy mod and something I want to do, I just want to make sure I get the correct loop, such that it fits as nicely as yours does.
I was kinda curious about the placement, I always thought it would need to be placed near the end, rather one on each end. But from looking at it, especially on the vette's short driveshaft, it looks like in the middle you would be fine. If either u-joint breaks it should keep the driveshaft from launching or otherwise seriously damaging the car.
BTW, I have seen these in Summit, if you could find the exact part number I'd be thrilled. This looks like an easy mod and something I want to do, I just want to make sure I get the correct loop, such that it fits as nicely as yours does.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Nathan Plemons)
Watching a pole volter is cool..
Having your vette do the same is not.
This will happen or your rear end will get torn out if the safety loop is not far enough forward. It's safer to have the drive shaft drop down rear end first and go out back than have the front drop and dig in like a volting pole. NHRA or IHRA have specs on where to place it. :cheers:
Having your vette do the same is not.
This will happen or your rear end will get torn out if the safety loop is not far enough forward. It's safer to have the drive shaft drop down rear end first and go out back than have the front drop and dig in like a volting pole. NHRA or IHRA have specs on where to place it. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (-=Jeff=-)
The Summit part number is SUM-G7900, cost $24.50.
John, I will be doing some final verifiction on whether it will function properly once I get it back on the car. I am almost possitive that the location in which I installed the device will keep the driveshaft out of the passenger compartment as well as keep it off the ground. Realize also that it would have to go ll the way through your exhaust before it ever sees the ground too. I installed it mostly to keep it out of the drivers seat in case something did happen. That is only fiberglass between you and that drive shaft.
John, I will be doing some final verifiction on whether it will function properly once I get it back on the car. I am almost possitive that the location in which I installed the device will keep the driveshaft out of the passenger compartment as well as keep it off the ground. Realize also that it would have to go ll the way through your exhaust before it ever sees the ground too. I installed it mostly to keep it out of the drivers seat in case something did happen. That is only fiberglass between you and that drive shaft.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Vette92)
Good job and good information. I do have a couple of concerns, though. NHRA rules state "...and located within 6-inches of the front universal joint for support of the driveshaft in the event of U-joint failure.". Besides the question of the NHRA rule, how tough is it to R&R the driveshaft with the loop so far back? I can't see a driveshaft escaping your set up, but the rules also state, "...a retainer loop 360 degrees of enclosure, 1/4-inch minimum thickness and 2-inches wide,". Does anyone know how NHRA has reacted to 180 degrees of this loop being aluminum? I think your loop meets the "spirit" of the rule (except for placement), but I wonder how far NHRA would carry this to the "letter" of the rule. Has anyone here had a similar loop inspected by NHRA?
PS. If you have any concern over the 6" requirement, you can always install the other half of the kit you bought, up front.
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:25 AM 12/27/2001]
PS. If you have any concern over the 6" requirement, you can always install the other half of the kit you bought, up front.
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:25 AM 12/27/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville Texas
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (-=Jeff=-)
Cool tech tip. Maybe some day I'll put one on mine. Also a few people have made the comment about breaking a u-joint and having the driveshaft dig into the ground, but on a C-4 corvette it will actually hit the exhaust first so that loop should work....although afterwards you'll need to get some exhaust work done :)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (CFI-EFI)
CFI-EFI, our tech station barely looks at our cars when we go race. I have never been asked in the past if I was running a driveshaft loop at all. Mine is set bck 9 3/4" from the front u-joint so I am a little farther than the rule book allows. When I put it in a just knew I had to have one but not how fr it needed to be. The is plenty of room to move it up, plus I think there is also plenty of room to get the shaft in and out with the torque arm in place. I guess I will find that one out in a few days. ;) If need be, I will move it up, but for now, I think I will leave it as it is. Thanks for the rule info :D.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Red Rocket)
I finished polishing the torque arm and the driveshaft looked a little pale so I had to do that too...here is a pic.
Also, here is a pic of my tranny blanket...a little worse for wear but functional.
I was thinking of the spare tire area for the parchute Dean :lol:.
[Modified by Vette92, 5:35 PM 12/27/2001]
Also, here is a pic of my tranny blanket...a little worse for wear but functional.
I was thinking of the spare tire area for the parchute Dean :lol:.
[Modified by Vette92, 5:35 PM 12/27/2001]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop...
And of course you can't just leave the tailshaft all rusty...
Just had to try out the Hot Coat powder coater...
Just had to try out the Hot Coat powder coater...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Vette92)
Chris,
A lot of good looking work, there.
I submit my car to NHRA certified inspectors at the beginning of the race season, each year. I get an ETI (Extended Tech Inspection). It is good all year long at any NHRA track in the country. It sure beats waiting in line every week for tech. If I claim I have a loop, they WILL inspect it. According to the 2001 NHRA rule book, a loop is required on a car running 13.99 and faster. The exception is 13.00 and slower on street tires. I took the liberty of submitting one of your photos (no, I didn't say where I got it) to the NHRA Division 7 Tech Director, and I asked if this would satisfy NHRA. I don't want to go to the expense and trouble, only to have it rejected. Frankly, I don't see how they could nix it. What else will fit under there? I'll report their answer, when I get it. That way we will all know. At this time, only MY name is on the line, and only in Division 7. Assuming that it passes, do you want to sell the other half of your loop kit?
A lot of good looking work, there.
I submit my car to NHRA certified inspectors at the beginning of the race season, each year. I get an ETI (Extended Tech Inspection). It is good all year long at any NHRA track in the country. It sure beats waiting in line every week for tech. If I claim I have a loop, they WILL inspect it. According to the 2001 NHRA rule book, a loop is required on a car running 13.99 and faster. The exception is 13.00 and slower on street tires. I took the liberty of submitting one of your photos (no, I didn't say where I got it) to the NHRA Division 7 Tech Director, and I asked if this would satisfy NHRA. I don't want to go to the expense and trouble, only to have it rejected. Frankly, I don't see how they could nix it. What else will fit under there? I'll report their answer, when I get it. That way we will all know. At this time, only MY name is on the line, and only in Division 7. Assuming that it passes, do you want to sell the other half of your loop kit?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: [PROJECT] Driveshaft Loop... (Vette92)
And of course you can't just leave the tailshaft all rusty...
Just had to try out the Hot Coat powder coater...
Just had to try out the Hot Coat powder coater...