What is the weakest link?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
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What is the weakest link?
People ask me all the time why I don't bolt up my slicks and just let my car fly. It's really fun to try and explain that I don't want a halfshaft to come through my spine.
Basically I tested my luck one day at the track with numerous 4k RPM clutch dumps on E.T. Streets and managed not to break anything. Since that day I've gotten wiser. I've got even more power now AND crappier U-joints.
I had to replace the u-joints on my driver's side half shaft. I couldn't afford the $100 spicer's so I had to go with the O'Reilly ones. I don't remember exactly what brand they were. I did know for sure that I didn't want "Brute Force." In any case the car runs great, my squeaking is long gone, etc. I'm just seriously afraid to bolt up my slicks. I simply can't afford to break anything.
My plan for the future, whenever I might actually have some money, would be to go with new Spicer U-joints all the way around, along with carbon fiber driveshafts and halfshafts, with billet yokes. After I get all of this done, what's gonna be the next thing to break?
It's a 6-spd so I've got the D44 rear. I don't think the gears are an issue, but what about the spindles?
Basically I tested my luck one day at the track with numerous 4k RPM clutch dumps on E.T. Streets and managed not to break anything. Since that day I've gotten wiser. I've got even more power now AND crappier U-joints.
I had to replace the u-joints on my driver's side half shaft. I couldn't afford the $100 spicer's so I had to go with the O'Reilly ones. I don't remember exactly what brand they were. I did know for sure that I didn't want "Brute Force." In any case the car runs great, my squeaking is long gone, etc. I'm just seriously afraid to bolt up my slicks. I simply can't afford to break anything.
My plan for the future, whenever I might actually have some money, would be to go with new Spicer U-joints all the way around, along with carbon fiber driveshafts and halfshafts, with billet yokes. After I get all of this done, what's gonna be the next thing to break?
It's a 6-spd so I've got the D44 rear. I don't think the gears are an issue, but what about the spindles?
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From: Sin City
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Re: What is the weakest link? (Nathan Plemons)
Well Nathan, your profile lists "some bolt ons". If you are just running bolt ons (and not a big shot of nitrous) then your rear set up should be good to go with a D44 and stock parts, even with slicks.
If nothing else, this is a bum[ for ya!! :)
If nothing else, this is a bum[ for ya!! :)
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: What is the weakest link? (Nathan Plemons)
After speaking with a GM employee who owns two vettes, he tells me that the halfshafts were designed to be the weak link. He paints his shafts to monitor twisting. Soon as he notices the slightest bit of twist, he replaces them. But I would vote for the clutch as well since abuse of the clutch would over ride any weakness in the shaft.
I've noticed on the forum that most automatic guys have twisted shafts and 6 speed guys have broke spindles.
This is why on my six speed car I leave the tires to be the weak link. I'd rather spin than break something, especially if I'm 1,000 miles from home.
In the automatic, since it only goes to the track 20 miles away, I'm not as concerned.
I've noticed on the forum that most automatic guys have twisted shafts and 6 speed guys have broke spindles.
This is why on my six speed car I leave the tires to be the weak link. I'd rather spin than break something, especially if I'm 1,000 miles from home.
In the automatic, since it only goes to the track 20 miles away, I'm not as concerned.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
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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: What is the weakest link? (Nathan Plemons)
These cars break rear parts??????????????? :shocked:
[Modified by mackeyred96, 2:42 PM 4/23/2004]
[Modified by mackeyred96, 2:42 PM 4/23/2004]
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
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From: St Marys PA
Re: What is the weakest link? (mackeyred96)
Bolt up some slick, and smell that clutch burn :yesnod:
After you replace a few clutches, you will switch to an Auto and life will be good.
These rears can take ALOT more abuse than many here give them credit for. :smash: Ask us how we know. :lol:
After you replace a few clutches, you will switch to an Auto and life will be good.
These rears can take ALOT more abuse than many here give them credit for. :smash: Ask us how we know. :lol:
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
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Re: What is the weakest link? (ski_dwn_it)
I've had slicks on my car before and the clutch did just fine, it actually just bogged the engine. Utlimately though I'll never put an auto in the car. If I was making a pure drag car I would, no doubt, but since I've gotta have fun driving it on the street the 6-spd is the only way to fly.
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From: Charleston SC
Re: What is the weakest link? (Nathan Plemons)
I think your "week link" will still be either the 1/2 shafts or the Dana 44. While I don't think you will have a problem with either with your set up they will still be the wekest link in the chain. The Dana 44 is prety tough and our only real choice it is still not the best rear end in the world.