Breaking torque tubes
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: Coral Springs Fl
Breaking torque tubes
I have broken 2 torque tubes in the past 6 months with a stock motor that runs my car in the low 12's in the 1/4 mile. Anyone else breaking tubes and what are you doing to stop it?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 19
From: Carson City, NV
That's some pretty awesome performance for a stock 98 C5. Assuming you have a MN6 tranny, have you had any clutch problems or axle breakage? I've never heard of anyone breaking their torque tube with a stock motor. How hard do you launch at the strip? Are you sure it doesn't have a 427 in it? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
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From: Atlanta metro Ga.
I'll go out on a limb and suggest you meant to say "axle half-shafts", not TQ tube? TQ tube is the prop shaft (driveshaft) that ties the motor to the transmission in the rear of the car.
If you are talking about the TQ tube, do you mean the rubber bushings failed?
My smart-azzed answer is "yes, the solution is to quit drag racing your $50,000 car"; a useful answer is that several companies make hardened half-shafts for about 300 bux. Check with DTE.
If you are talking about the TQ tube, do you mean the rubber bushings failed?
My smart-azzed answer is "yes, the solution is to quit drag racing your $50,000 car"; a useful answer is that several companies make hardened half-shafts for about 300 bux. Check with DTE.
Last edited by Dan_the_C5_Man; Jan 25, 2006 at 04:56 PM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
If you are actually talking about your torque tube, we offer a replacement driveshaft with actual u-joints for replacement, although I'm surprised this is necessary with a stock engine. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: Coral Springs Fl
Yes, unfortunately I do mean the torque tube. The first one is bent and the second one is broken. I am also one of few to ever break a "right" output shaft. Yes, the shaft that has the gear and shaft as one piece. I have since replaced the factory gear with a hardened shaft. So, at this point the mods are as follows:Vararam intake, ported throttle body, Spec 3 Plus clutch, lightweight flywheel, factory torque tube, rebuilt M6 tranny w/hardened componants, 3.90 diff with right and left hardened shafts and Motiv gears, stock 1/2 shafts, long tube headers, and Corsa mufflers. That is it!!! Trash bin list: Stock clutch, Spec 3 clutch, flywheel, 2 torque tubes, 3 diffs, and a master clutch cylinder. Anyone want to buy a '98 couple with low "easy" miles? Did I mention that I finished 4th in points last year in the Corvette Challenge and I am starting in the same place this year? Oh, and yes I use drag radials on my car as well and launch at about 2500 RPM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: Coral Springs Fl
Originally Posted by DOUG @ ECS
If you are actually talking about your torque tube, we offer a replacement driveshaft with actual u-joints for replacement, although I'm surprised this is necessary with a stock engine.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
What rpm are you reving it to? I heard rpm is what destroyes them. The drive shaft starts to bow and whip due to a very slight imbalence destroying the couplers or worse the whole torque tube. I was reving mine to 6700 and I was lucky. When I did my clutch, I checked them and they were coming apart. I got some high strength ones from http://www.lamarwaldenautomotive.com/ . Also the 97 to 2000 c5's have a weaker torque tube(small diamiter), they upgraded them in 01 for the zo6.
Pic of mine, a 2000 FRC
Pic of mine, a 2000 FRC
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
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From: Coral Springs Fl
Originally Posted by 16Again
DON'T BUY USED PARTS 
NEW PARTS MIKE 
Get it fixed, your as$ needs another kicking. 
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 110
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From: Sunrise, Florida
Originally Posted by taaz024
I have broken 2 torque tubes in the past 6 months with a stock motor that runs my car in the low 12's in the 1/4 mile. Anyone else breaking tubes and what are you doing to stop it?
He said something about not letting you drive my car.
I hope when I finally run my car it's as fast as yours. (We have similar setups)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: Coral Springs Fl
LOL, Did he really?? They don't call me Taaz for nothin!! He knows I am a good driver or he wouldn't have let me drive his. Have we met?
He knows I am a good driver or he wouldn't have let me drive his. Have we met?
Last edited by taaz024; Jan 25, 2006 at 07:52 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 110
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From: Sunrise, Florida
Was it you driving Saturday night? I was playing spectator with the family. Yea, he was bustin' on you. I think he's somewhat amazed by the amount of stuff you've broken with your car.
Just left there a little while ago. Just had to buy the same Eradispeed setup he has on his car.
Thinkin' I might come down to the track to play next time....it's been 15 years since I drag raced and I think Saturday night got me Jonesing to play again.
Just left there a little while ago. Just had to buy the same Eradispeed setup he has on his car.
Thinkin' I might come down to the track to play next time....it's been 15 years since I drag raced and I think Saturday night got me Jonesing to play again.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: Coral Springs Fl
Yes, I drove in the challenge saturday night. I am starting the season 4th in points, right where I left off last season. I wish we could find out why I am breaking so many parts. It is very unusual to have these componants breaking. As many can tell you, I may drive aggressive, but I do drive smart. I know when to ease off the brakes at a road course and when to let out of the gas at the drag strip. I am just having a string of bad luck.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 110
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From: Sunrise, Florida
Originally Posted by taaz024
16's??? Naaa!!! You should be able to hit 13's no matter what with a vette. DO you have an automatic or 6 speed?
I never ran the 1/4 w/a stick before. Used to have a sprayed '78 Camaro 400SB that ran in the 10.90's the last time I ran.
Waiting on one of those trick little blue shift lights Roger told me about to come in to take one more thing off my mind before I run.
(Sorry, I seem to be hijacking your thread here)
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,759
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Don't let Mike drive your car Damn Roger, your a funny guy. MG c'mon down and run that car 
We have a ball If you did not get all the info from Roger just click my signature, it will take you to my site. If you have any questions grab one of my cards from Roger my number is on it.
Bob
Damn Roger, your a funny guy. MG c'mon down and run that car We have a ball If you did not get all the info from Roger just click my signature, it will take you to my site. If you have any questions grab one of my cards from Roger my number is on it. Bob
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: Coral Springs Fl
I just spoke to him on the phone Bob. He was at the challenge the other night and plans on coming out on the 4th.
Something tells me that you don't want me running against you because I was so close to beating you the other night in a car that I wasn't even uswe to. I'll be ready for you the next time we line up!!! Now, can we get back to my broken torque tube?? LOL.
Something tells me that you don't want me running against you because I was so close to beating you the other night in a car that I wasn't even uswe to. I'll be ready for you the next time we line up!!! Now, can we get back to my broken torque tube?? LOL.