Pfadt Trans Brace Install
Thread Starter
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Pfadt Trans Brace Install
Pfadt C5 Transmission Brace Install
Tools Needed
14MM Socket
15mm Deep Socket
15mm Box Wrench
17mm Deep Socket
18mm Deep Socket
21mm Deep Socket
8mm Alan Wrench
6 Inch Extension
Floor Jack
Jack Stands
Wheel Chalks
Overview
First I'd like to say thank you to Robbin, Aaron, Josh and Jordan. I'm sure I drove them nutz with my questions. Each and every time I got a prompt and detailed reply.
The instructions that came with the brace were spot on and all you will need to do the install.
I would give this a 5 for the average weekend warrior and a 3 for the experienced, actually a pretty easy job. It took me about 2 1/2 hours, but I was messing around, cleaning and painting. If you have access to a 2 post lift, it could easily be done in under an hour.
I think the scariest thing is that you have to loosen up the rear carrier, which may be intimidating to some, but really there is nothing there that you can mess up, so no worries.
The instructions that came with the brace were spot on and all you will need to do the install.
I would give this a 5 for the average weekend warrior and a 3 for the experienced, actually a pretty easy job. It took me about 2 1/2 hours, but I was messing around, cleaning and painting. If you have access to a 2 post lift, it could easily be done in under an hour.
I think the scariest thing is that you have to loosen up the rear carrier, which may be intimidating to some, but really there is nothing there that you can mess up, so no worries.
Here is what comes with the Brace
Install
The first order of business is to get the car up in the air. You will need to use the side jacking points on the car because you can not put the jack stands on the rear carrier for this install. Note that the front wheels need to be secured because the car can roll with the rear end up in the air with no brakes. Chalk them in front and behind the the wheel.
Here is the trans mount, which is coming out
Locate the two bolts on the bottom center of the carrier and remove them
Then remove the two bolts on the bottom of the pumpkin
Loosen the 4 bolts on the corners of the carrier, but don't remove them completely. Place the jack on the transmission and slowly raise it. This will give you enough room to remove the trans mount.
This is what comes out
Here is what they look like side by side
From here, wiggle the new brace in place, check for pinched lines ect...and bolt everything back up
Wrap up
The current set up on the car is Z06 Sways, Poly Bushings and Koni FSD's.
I took the car out and hit every different kind of pavement/concrete I could find. Absolutely no vibration/wheel hop, and I tried and tried and tried. This is the first time since I bought the car that I have been able to throttle steer the car and feel in control. The car takes off (read slides) like it is on glass. It is far more predictable than ever before.
As eluded to earlier in this thread, a lot depends on your set up and what you are running, so I'll toss in this disclaimer, your results may very, but I am very very happy.
I took the car out and hit every different kind of pavement/concrete I could find. Absolutely no vibration/wheel hop, and I tried and tried and tried. This is the first time since I bought the car that I have been able to throttle steer the car and feel in control. The car takes off (read slides) like it is on glass. It is far more predictable than ever before.
As eluded to earlier in this thread, a lot depends on your set up and what you are running, so I'll toss in this disclaimer, your results may very, but I am very very happy.
Peace
Chip
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Last edited by CCA Corvette Parts; Sep 17, 2008 at 04:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
When I put the FSD's on it got much better but it was still there...
These are the Z07's from the Corvette Garage. They are a little different where the spoke meets the hub and lip, but not much...
Peace
Chip
CF Senior Moments Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
can some one comment on the difference to the DTE brace I remember seeing some picture that has a few bars and brace that bolts to the transmission...
So this would work with that as well (re-read prior posts)
Thank you in advance...
So this would work with that as well (re-read prior posts)
Thank you in advance...
Last edited by 1stGlance; Jul 24, 2008 at 04:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
It appears to me that the Pfadt bar would help with torque (twist) about the torque tube axis (engine twisting if you will) while the DTE brace will help with the transmission/differential connection and torque about the half shafts and to some degree torque between the differential case and transmission. Looks to me they would complement each other but Phil from DTE would need to weigh in on his opinion since he is the designer of the DTE brace and more familiar with the load transmission paths it is designed to help.
Question to Chip, is there a rubber bushing between the center bolt and the bar?
Question to Chip, is there a rubber bushing between the center bolt and the bar?
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Thread Starter
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
It appears to me that the Pfadt bar would help with torque (twist) about the torque tube axis (engine twisting if you will) while the DTE brace will help with the transmission/differential connection and torque about the half shafts and to some degree torque between the differential case and transmission. Looks to me they would complement each other but Phil from DTE would need to weigh in on his opinion since he is the designer of the DTE brace and more familiar with the load transmission paths it is designed to help.
Question to Chip, is there a rubber bushing between the center bolt and the bar?
Question to Chip, is there a rubber bushing between the center bolt and the bar?
what I have learned would suggest that they would compliment each other along the lines you suggest.
I think it was Poly, but I am not sure. The race crazies at Phadt have visibility on these threads, I'm sure they will chime in
Peace
Chip
Last edited by CCA Corvette Parts; Jul 24, 2008 at 07:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Thanks, the reason for my question is that without some type of bushing the trans/differential is pretty much hard mounted to the rear saddle and I wouldn't think that would be the case but wanted to verify.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,272
Likes: 223
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Why didn't the diff guru's think of this years ago?? I don't have experience with the brace, but sounds like a solid performer
nice write-up
Kind of like the C6 style mounting
nice write-up
Kind of like the C6 style mounting
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Cedarburg, WI
Former Vendor
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
St. Jude Donor '08
Autocross & Roadrace Forum Sponsor
Please let me know if there is anything else that I can help with!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Can you weigh in on the question about benefits with the DTE brace?
Also, can the differential brace be stand-alone or is the engine mount required to take advantage of this setup?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Thanks, I kind of figured that but it wasn't immediately apparent in the photo on your web site. A view from an angle would be beneficial.
Can you weigh in on the question about benefits with the DTE brace?
Also, can the differential brace be stand-alone or is the engine mount required to take advantage of this setup?
Can you weigh in on the question about benefits with the DTE brace?
Also, can the differential brace be stand-alone or is the engine mount required to take advantage of this setup?
I think Chip said he hasn't done the engine mounts yet.