As some of you may know I enjoy racing my C5. She makes some pretty impressive numbers and is pretty quick. Problem I have had twice now is breaking the output shaft while launching hard on slicks. Well, I've grown tired of breaking teh stock part and decided to make a hardened steel (4340!!!) replacement that will not be breaking again.

If you drag race your C5 and are going for good short times you are going to break this part as MANY of us can already attest to!!!

I have already had the CNC program to produce these parts written and the tooling done as well. Originally i was just planning to make one or two for myself but when I discussed the plan with Snowman and MattG they said I should see if others would be interested. I already have the first pieces made and they are ready to install in my car. The specs are perfect down to the .001 of an inch (the beauty of CNC equipment).


Would you guys be interested in having more of these made at a cost which would be less than the Breathless part. (approximate cost at this time would be in the $319 - $349 range, with a possibility (depending on volume of course) to get it for SLIGHTLY less.


[Modified by glen5839, 5:29 PM 5/11/2002]

 

You don't need a guinea pig, do you? :D Anyways, do you know how much it costs to swap this thing out?

:cheers:
-Tuan

 

I am the guinea pig Tuan!!! :D

I may be offering early order parts (at cost) to guys like Snowman and MattG but that remains to be seen.

And I've broken 2 of them ... I know EXACTLY how much they cost to replace!!! This is exactly why I don't plan on breaking one ever again!!!


[Modified by glen5839, 12:29 PM 5/9/2002]

 

Not trying to start a flame war here but does anyone know what the stock parts made out of?

In other words, I don't think "hardened" by itself buys you much. If the tensile, yield and impact strengths are higher than the stock part and the design is no worse than the stock part then it will probably better.

 

How much did it cost to do the replacement?

What was your engines output, rwhp/rwtq, when you broke the stock part?


[Modified by Hex29A, 2:00 PM 5/9/2002]

 

Glen,

Trying to evaluate my current position - what power level are you at, what gears are you running and what is your launch routine at the track (RPM, clutch slip vs. dump)?

Thanks! :cheers:

JC

 

My power levels were over 400rwhp and over 400rwtq when I broke the first one on nitto DR's at River City Raceway (on motor). The routine was normal, roll around the water, heat em up for about a 6 count, roll to line and slip the clutch from 2800. Broke at the line.

The power levels went up from there when I broke the second one on the MT ET STREETS. Routine there was a little different. Back into the water box, roll forward, heat em up for an 8 count, roll to line and slip clutch from 4200 rpm. Broke at the line.

///edit: gears are the stock 3.42's


[Modified by glen5839, 5:23 PM 5/9/2002]

 

could the rear gearbox be next?

 

sounds like a good idea, I have seen a few cars break them, not a pretty sight :eek:

 

I would be interested if you can ship today. I will start to put my car together again beginning next week so if I'm going to do it I need to do it now while the engine/driveline/gearbox/rearend are out of the car.

Are you sure you need the first set in your own car .... :D:D

:cheers:


[Modified by seanr, 11:42 AM 5/10/2002]

 

Actually I could probably ship one to you Monday. Let me know if you're interested.

glen5839@yahoo.com

 

You got mail ! :seeya

 

Well from the testing I have seen Breathless do on their shafts I know for a fact they work! That having been said everytime you fix a weak link you will find another weak link. Just the nature of the beast! :cheers:

Bob

 

Glen
I think that you should hit up LG, COH and others that are building cars. I know that they are buying them for resale. I have a breathless in my car installed in a COH rear end assembly. I don't expect it to break, but if it does, I would buy from you. What makes it better than Breathlesses version?
Good Luck
Randy Goss :cheers:

 

Well to be honest I have been told to not compare the two items specifically as they are a vendor here and I do not want to cause waves. I can tell you that this part is made from 4340 hardened (yes Rockwell specs) steel and is machined on a CNC mill and mic'd for specs to the .001 of an inch. The finishing on the shaft is not rough or unfinished, there are no spurs or burs to file down as it is PERFECT in every way. You can do your own research on the Breathless piece and see if it meets or beats those specs.

I may wind up contacting the shops directly as I do not want to get in trouble for trying to sell parts on the forum without being a supporting vendor. I very much understand the position of the forum that it needs to get paid by someone selling to the corvette community and using the forum as the medium. This fact will force me to push the part to the supporting vendors and let them handle the distribution and sale to the corvette community at large. My only fear is that then the cost savings to the community will be eliminated and the parts will be sold very near the current going price. Obviously the vendors will have to mark up the cost in order for them to profit from the sale. That saddens me. I will persue other options to reduce the cost of the part if that happens. Perhaps make it from 4140 or another material or something of that nature.

It appears I will be shipping several this week and one to seanr for his monster. We should have some excellent feedback from cars that make similar power to mine very soon.

:D

 

Glen,

You got mail ! :seeya

 

Got it. I'll get the part and get to a mail office and check shipping for you and reply when I get back.

Have to set one aside for Snowman also. ;)


///edit

seanr - The part has been shipped to you and you have email with the details. If you have any problems I will return the full amount with no questions asked.

Additionally I am turning this project over to forum supporting vendors and getting myself uninvolved. I am selling the current parts at cost. I have 4 currently and 3 more being made next week. After that time I will allow the vendor to price them at whatever they want in order for them to make a profit. Snowman and MattG both have one reserved.

First come first serve ...

glen5839@yahoo.com




[Modified by glen5839, 4:29 PM 5/11/2002]

 

MattG check your email!!!!

;)

 

I got my unit today :) It looks very strong and high quality :yesnod:

Thanks alot !

:cheers:

 

Glen, shoot me an e-mail!