Is it required/needed if you have a built trans and a built rear end?

I have a A4 with the built rear end with hardend shafts.

I drag race only occasionly 2-3 times year with a CCW drag pack with ET streets.

 

I have the same set up you have and I do have the brace. The trans and diff try to pull apart on the top side and can break the housing (trans) I think. I feel it is a must have if driving very hard at all.

 

The brace simply prevents the assembly of the rear/trans from twisting/bending in ways it should not. If you invested money in building your rear/trans I would definitely slap a brace on there. It won't save your driveline from sheer twisting force breakage, but it will save it from bending the wrong way which can actually do more damage than breakage due to power/torque.

 

The way I look at it is insurance on an expensive rear and tranny.

 

I sent you a PM. Also, the question you should be asking is, who has broke a A4 without a brace? I can't recall one person.
The best safety measure against your driveline. DON"T LET IT WHEEL HOP.

 

DTE brace is just invest money ... you only loose $30 max if resale
Brand new one for $379 and used one for $350
I'll get one soon.

-Mike

 

2`-3 times a year, huh?

We already started installing the brace today, we should have just done it in the first place

Ed

 

Great advice, but hey, I've done stupid things (wheel hop, up hard against the rev limiter etc.) because in the heat of the battle, I wanted that race. Or I wanted to annihilate rather than just win. A brace is cheap insurance.

 

Your avatar is cool! someone should make a Vette blower kit like THAT!


Ed

 

Cheap insurance for not breaking your trans or rear

 

Sorry ED I really meant to say is my wife will only let me race 2-3 times a year!

 

It only takes one race to break something though. I still would like to know if any A4 guys have actually broke the tranny from the differential. And if they did, how much RWHP did it take to do it.

 

It heard a rumor that it's RJW's next project.

 

I was told by LPE not to put one on my car so I did'nt and I have been thrashing it for 30K miles with no problems. I don't know what my rwhp is but my car and me weigh 3600 lbs and I have run in the high 10s so I guess its over 500.

INTHERED

 

I’m quite surprised that Lingenfelter would recommend that you not use the DTE brace. Do you know if this is because you have an automatic transmission or do they doubt its effectiveness? Anyone else been told NOT to use the brace?

Thanks,

Clayton from Las Vegas

 

I Have!!!! Twisted then snapped the rear driver side shaft clean off the housing on my '98 coupe. GM said that it couldn't be done, guess I proved them wrong! Left the line at around 800 RPMs rolled into the throttle and SNAP! No wheel hop just BOOM and ball bearings everywhere. Rodney put on the brace when he re-built the tranny and rear.

 

I thought that I'd already done that?

Except my hood fits over it????? somehow...(You slam it hard enough times, i guess)

 

For anyone that's interested, we finished installing the brace, and I thought I would say a couple things.

First, these braces have been around a long time, and I myself have questioned if they were really needed. After all, I have been involved with some of the fastest C5's ever built, and never used one.

I installed this one myself, it's the first one I've ever used, and I must say that Phil and the crew at DTE have produced a very fine product. The kit is first rate, and comes with the exact amount of high quality bolts and washers that are needed. The instructions are clear, and to the point, and have detailed pictures of the exact part that you need to see when you're on a particular step. I looked at all the parts, and read through the instructions, and although it seems a little intimidating at first, it's a very easy install, and very easy to follow along for a proper fit.

I guess my overall take would be that for a seasoned, professional driver with a high HP Corvette, you probably wouldn't need this, but the other 99% of us should definately install this product on any Corvette that intends to see highly abusive launches!

Tim, the brace is done and the car is back on the ground. I'll be dyno tuning the car most of the day tomorrow, and if all goes well, we can meet at Muncie on Saturday, then we'll really give this thing a test!

Ed