Composite Drive Shaft
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 447
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
You mean 97 to 2000. 2001+ was the upgraded part..
The rubber bushings are definitely the weak link in this chain.. If you have an older car and start making big HP, sooner or later you are going to shred the stock rubber bushings.
I've never heard the smaller shaft diameter of the older units being a problem.
There are solid replacement parts for this, and a few tuners have come up with improved rubber bushings.
The rubber bushings are definitely the weak link in this chain.. If you have an older car and start making big HP, sooner or later you are going to shred the stock rubber bushings.
I've never heard the smaller shaft diameter of the older units being a problem.
There are solid replacement parts for this, and a few tuners have come up with improved rubber bushings.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Stem NC
It's my understand that all c5's except the Z06 have a composite drive shaft which is lighter than the steel one in the Z06. If the composite one is strong enough for a stock Z06, could it be installed as a weight reduction step?
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Originally Posted by GRRRRR8!
It's my understand that all c5's except the Z06 have a composite drive shaft which is lighter than the steel one in the Z06. If the composite one is strong enough for a stock Z06, could it be installed as a weight reduction step?
Unless your planning on making well over 500 RWHP, I wouldn't worry about it too much and use that coin towards other go fast goodies until you get to that type of power level. Then I think the move to the CF unit, while not mandatory, starts to make a little more sense.
Just my .02....
Tony M.
Last edited by Tony Mamo; May 29, 2005 at 12:08 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 988
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
Tony M. is right, The problem with the drive shaft is whipping from a lot of power being applied at high shaft speeds causing the shaft to diverge from a straight line. This flexing causes an imbalance which stresses the rubber isolator bushings sometimes to failure. GM has a rubber ring bumper in the torque tube to try to limit the shaft flex. The stock aluminum shaft and hardware can handle the torque from a pumped engine but not the off axis loads from a flex induced inbalance.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: South
I still have not seen a rubber bushing failure on a 01 and newer C5. I did a poll on it and not 1 person reported from the upgraded design.
I believe the 01 and newer C5s also have an upgraded rubber bushings.
My 01 Z06 has over 60k miles and 25+ trackdays. I took the TT apart and found the 2 rear bearings where shot. The rubber bushings where fine with no cracks at all. There was no evidence of "whipping" as the inside of the TT had no wear marks at all from the center disc.
A local friend with the same car and 10k less miles found the same condition as mine.
I believe the 01 and newer C5s also have an upgraded rubber bushings.
My 01 Z06 has over 60k miles and 25+ trackdays. I took the TT apart and found the 2 rear bearings where shot. The rubber bushings where fine with no cracks at all. There was no evidence of "whipping" as the inside of the TT had no wear marks at all from the center disc.
A local friend with the same car and 10k less miles found the same condition as mine.
