[Z06] DTE Brace, anyone using it?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 4
From: Ringgold GA
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,207
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From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
The brace is not designed specifically to protect just the diff case.
It is designed to increase support between the trans and diff, where they bolt together.
It moves any rotational movement between the trans and diff flange towards the front, effectively lengthening this area, making it more difficult to break.
This weak flange area is what may break, taking the trans with it.
Stock diffs are relatively inexpensive, transmissions are not.
I think it is cheap insurance if you drive the car hard on occasion, especially if you hit the 1/4 where hard launch acceleration can wrap the driveline.
It is designed to increase support between the trans and diff, where they bolt together.
It moves any rotational movement between the trans and diff flange towards the front, effectively lengthening this area, making it more difficult to break.
This weak flange area is what may break, taking the trans with it.
Stock diffs are relatively inexpensive, transmissions are not.
I think it is cheap insurance if you drive the car hard on occasion, especially if you hit the 1/4 where hard launch acceleration can wrap the driveline.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Been there done that x3, or maybe 4 I loose count... wheel hop will get you even with a brace. I have broke side covers into 1/4s, had billet side covers break off the case, and hte case itself split like a baseball cover.But, I did have a run of maybe 200 passes with the brace that nothing broke. I am talking 5-6k launches on ET streets, 1.4 60s ect.
BLUFF it helps IMO, and I never hurt a tranny when I broke a rear due to dead hook, wheel hop, driver error (it is damn hard to peddle wheel hop). Thanks!
Dave
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles IL
sorry if I changed the subject but quick question
I have the brace on my car for the added strength. but I have 19in rims in the rear the tire size is 295/30/19. if I go to a smaller wheel with a tire with more of a wall will that help reduce the wheel hop that im getting?
I have the brace on my car for the added strength. but I have 19in rims in the rear the tire size is 295/30/19. if I go to a smaller wheel with a tire with more of a wall will that help reduce the wheel hop that im getting?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville FL
I had been planning to get one when I do my trans and rear in the near future. I have recently spoken with two well known shops that thought it wasn't necessary and would only add weight. I'm at 600hp and made it clear that I plan to spray the car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 4
From: Ringgold GA
sorry if I changed the subject but quick question
I have the brace on my car for the added strength. but I have 19in rims in the rear the tire size is 295/30/19. if I go to a smaller wheel with a tire with more of a wall will that help reduce the wheel hop that im getting?
I have the brace on my car for the added strength. but I have 19in rims in the rear the tire size is 295/30/19. if I go to a smaller wheel with a tire with more of a wall will that help reduce the wheel hop that im getting?
Glad to see there are shops out there that will tell you the truth and not just try to sell parts.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 7
From: Richmond VA
sorry if I changed the subject but quick question
I have the brace on my car for the added strength. but I have 19in rims in the rear the tire size is 295/30/19. if I go to a smaller wheel with a tire with more of a wall will that help reduce the wheel hop that im getting?
I have the brace on my car for the added strength. but I have 19in rims in the rear the tire size is 295/30/19. if I go to a smaller wheel with a tire with more of a wall will that help reduce the wheel hop that im getting?
Having said that, if you have a lot of wheel hop, not much is going to save you. That is a tremendous amount of instantaneous load on the drivetrain.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles IL
The taller sidewall will prevent some wheel hop and will provide more cushion if it does hop. As Viper said, nothing to do with the brace. For there to be a significant difference, I would say you'd have to go to a 16" wheel and 26"-28" tires like on the CCW Drag Pack.
Having said that, if you have a lot of wheel hop, not much is going to save you. That is a tremendous amount of instantaneous load on the drivetrain.
Having said that, if you have a lot of wheel hop, not much is going to save you. That is a tremendous amount of instantaneous load on the drivetrain.
thanks for the help, I have 16inch trans am rims, will those just bolt right up or will I have to mess with the spacing?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
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From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09