Removing Frisbee
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
I'd be surprised if you gained anything - personally, I think performance gains from removing the "frisbee" is pretty much an urban myth. if you gain one HP, I'd be surprised. i can't say removing it will or will not cause any negative side effects. my understanding is only automatics had the frisbees anyway. I've had two 90's, and as tempting as it was, I just left mine in place. if something DOES go wrong, like anything with a corvette, it will probably cost some bucks to fix. but hey, it's your corvette - your pretty much free to do anything you like. I wouldn't expect much by removing it.
Last edited by Joe C; Aug 19, 2014 at 04:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
I'd be surprised if you gained anything - personally, I think performance gains from removing the "frisbee" is pretty much an urban myth. can't say removing it will or will not cause any negative side effects. my understanding is only automatics had the frisbees anyway. I've had two 90's, and as tempting as it was, I just left mine in place. if something DOES go wrong, like anything with a corvette, it will probably cost some bucks to fix. but hey, it's your corvette - your pretty much free to do anything you like.
Well... there's a metal disk with four bolts on it in front of the water pump pulley. That's the frisbee, right? Mine is a '90 with the ZF6.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
well, I guess I'm wrong here. somehow, I thought they were only on automatics. oh well, guess you learn something new everyday!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
If you do remove it, don't forget you have to take up the 1/4" space left by the frizbee with washers..3 or 4 on each bolt is what I used...
..Mine had bolts sticking through from the back and I had to put nuts on the front..I have also seen ones that the bolts went in from the front screwing into the water pump disk .......WW
..Mine had bolts sticking through from the back and I had to put nuts on the front..I have also seen ones that the bolts went in from the front screwing into the water pump disk .......WW
Last edited by WW7; Aug 19, 2014 at 06:44 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Soedertaelje
Theoretical power gain if you know your math but nothing you will notice.
It looks better without it.
It's easier to install the multi rib belt.
If you have an automatic and hear a chirping sound when shifting gears when you floor it then that sound will be gone afterwards.
No side effects. Disc was deleted shortly after. GM thought it helped to keep momentum when the ac kicked in but didn't do much.
Don't forget washer same thickness as the disc.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
Remove it!
Theoretical power gain if you know your math but nothing you will notice.
It looks better without it.
It's easier to install the multi rib belt.
If you have an automatic and hear a chirping sound when shifting gears when you floor it then that sound will be gone afterwards.
No side effects. Disc was deleted shortly after. GM thought it helped to keep momentum when the ac kicked in but didn't do much.
Don't forget washer same thickness as the disc.
Theoretical power gain if you know your math but nothing you will notice.
It looks better without it.
It's easier to install the multi rib belt.
If you have an automatic and hear a chirping sound when shifting gears when you floor it then that sound will be gone afterwards.
No side effects. Disc was deleted shortly after. GM thought it helped to keep momentum when the ac kicked in but didn't do much.
Don't forget washer same thickness as the disc.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Contrary to what the posts above are saying, there is one documented possible side effect... On some cars there can be a jerking motion felt when the A/C compressor comes on..This was why the frizbee was installed on the cars in the first place... There have been some guys that have put the frizbee back on because this jerking motion was not something they could put up with..I did have a slight jerking motion when I removed mine, but not as bad as some have had and I decided to live with it....Just be forwarned that this can be one problem...WW
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Last edited by WW7; Aug 21, 2014 at 06:14 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I removed the Frisbee on both my 89 and 91 Vettes and didn't have to add any washers to the four mounting bolts.
I just unscrewed the four bolts, removed the frisbee and reinstalled the four bolts checking the backside to make sure the bolt ends had clearance.
The earlier TPI Vettes needed to have the washers added.
No, problems or side effects of any kind noticed...
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I just unscrewed the four bolts, removed the frisbee and reinstalled the four bolts checking the backside to make sure the bolt ends had clearance.
The earlier TPI Vettes needed to have the washers added.
No, problems or side effects of any kind noticed...
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Last edited by GKK; Aug 20, 2014 at 04:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
Contrary to what the posts above are saying, there is one documented possible side effect... On some cars there can be a jerking motion felt when the compressor comes on..This was why the frizbee was installed on the cars in the first place... There have been some guys that have put the frizbee back on because this jerking motion was not something they could put up with..I did have a slight jerking motion when I removed mine, but not as bad as some have had and I decided to live with it....Just be forwarned that this can be one problem...WW
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
Likes: 565
From: Conroe Texas
The last time i saw that frisbee on my 89' zf6, it was doing just that...skipping down the driveway never to be seen again. And that was before my 20 year old son was born and have not noticed any side effect with it gone except that its easier to get to the water pump. Just used bolts that are 1/4" shorter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I removed the Frisbee on both my 89 and 91 Vettes and didn't have to add any washers to the four mounting bolts.
I just unscrewed the four bolts, removed the frisbee and reinstalled the four bolts checking the backside to make sure the bolt ends had clearance.
The earlier TPI Vettes needed to have the washers added.
No, problems or side effects of any kind noticed....
I just unscrewed the four bolts, removed the frisbee and reinstalled the four bolts checking the backside to make sure the bolt ends had clearance.
The earlier TPI Vettes needed to have the washers added.
No, problems or side effects of any kind noticed....
....Like I mentioned above, the reason was because on some cars when the A/C compressor kicked on it could be felt as a "jerk" which alot of people didn't like...If you do a search you will find a ton of threads about this happening..Some just live with it or don't really notice it....WW
Last edited by WW7; Aug 20, 2014 at 05:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Contrary to what the posts above are saying, there is one documented possible side effect... On some cars there can be a jerking motion felt when the A/C compressor comes on..This was why the frizbee was installed on the cars in the first place... There have been some guys that have put the frizbee back on because this jerking motion was not something they could put up with..I did have a slight jerking motion when I removed mine, but not as bad as some have had and I decided to live with it....Just be forwarned that this can be one problem...WW
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
I removed my 88 Frisbee in 2009. No problem. I didn’t know what it was for. Most everyone here on the Forum said take it off. One less part to remove when your water pump starts to leak.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Per Gordon Killebrew at Carlisle in 2000: "During testing of the new A/C compressor on the '88 Vette GM noticed an occasional "squeal" when the compressor engaged so they added the "frisbee" to dampen out sudden pull on the serp." "Removing the "frisbee" will release ~10chp from parasitic drag".
I have verified the 10chp gain by trap speed increase of 1mph, corrected for DA.
In 2000 I immediately removed the "frisbee" from my prior '88 and three years ago removed it from this '88 and never had even a squeal from the belt.
The '88 & '89 "frisbee" is a uniform thickness 10lb disk so thick lock washers are advised under the bolt heads. The '90 & '91 units are much thinner with mass concentrated in the outer rim so washers may not be needed.
I have verified the 10chp gain by trap speed increase of 1mph, corrected for DA.
In 2000 I immediately removed the "frisbee" from my prior '88 and three years ago removed it from this '88 and never had even a squeal from the belt.
The '88 & '89 "frisbee" is a uniform thickness 10lb disk so thick lock washers are advised under the bolt heads. The '90 & '91 units are much thinner with mass concentrated in the outer rim so washers may not be needed.