rear end strengthening
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 638
Likes: 70
rear end strengthening
I went to the race track the other day and had lots of fun. I will be going back but I need some help with the rear end. I don't like waiting for something to break, I'm more of a preventative maintenance kind of a person. So what can I do to strengthen the rear end to take some abuse. Do I go all out with an rpm transaxle or do a trans brace and mounts. Also read about taking the guts from a c6 and putting them in there. I just want something reliable when I'm beating the car up at the track. If it matters I'm at 440whp and 400wtq with a monster stage 3 clutch. Thanks for the input and advice.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I went to the race track the other day and had lots of fun. I will be going back but I need some help with the rear end. I don't like waiting for something to break, I'm more of a preventative maintenance kind of a person. So what can I do to strengthen the rear end to take some abuse. Do I go all out with an rpm transaxle or do a trans brace and mounts. Also read about taking the guts from a c6 and putting them in there. I just want something reliable when I'm beating the car up at the track. If it matters I'm at 440whp and 400wtq with a monster stage 3 clutch. Thanks for the input and advice.
Here are some things that you can do to help prevent wheel hop and drivetrain shake. Two things that will surely make things break. I here ya as I'm at 450 RWHP and wanted to do the same thing that you are looking into.
- New/improved differential mount I used the PFADT design that spreads out the loading onto the k member.
- New/Improved engine mounts.
- Better shocks I used GM C6 ZO6 shocks on my 02 ZO6! EXCELLENT!!
- ECS Trans/DIFF Brace
- Install C6 ZO6 differential output shafts, clutches, Belleview Springs. Here are the post that detail that procedure.:
- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
-
- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966
- C5 Differential Seal replacement: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html
Pro
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 660
Likes: 181
From: Knoxville TN
Run bias ply instead of drag radials the softer sidewall will be easier on drivetrain
As mentioned c6z guts, output shafts, clutches and pinion support there is a kit on ebay with everything you need, also do the diff/trans brace
As mentioned c6z guts, output shafts, clutches and pinion support there is a kit on ebay with everything you need, also do the diff/trans brace
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
an even stronger option would be a drivetrain swap from an 08+ z06, zr1, or manual grand sport
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
No matter what internals you use the case is still the weak point.
In a way, it's almost better to break the stock weak differential output shaft which typically does no other damage. Strengthen the differential and you'll likely break the transmission output shaft which destroys the differential and also requires transmission work.
Certainly do anything you can to avoid wheel hop.
The smoothness of the driver can certainly affect the life of the drivetrain.
In a way, it's almost better to break the stock weak differential output shaft which typically does no other damage. Strengthen the differential and you'll likely break the transmission output shaft which destroys the differential and also requires transmission work.
Certainly do anything you can to avoid wheel hop.
The smoothness of the driver can certainly affect the life of the drivetrain.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I had my MN12 converted to a MN12/T60/60 with a hardened output shaft.
Strengthing up the other weak points, taking the floppy mounts out and replacing them with better mounts and driver awareness results in excellent results.
I agree! You can still split a C5 case.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 660
Likes: 181
From: Knoxville TN
Pro
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 660
Likes: 181
From: Knoxville TN
Have you tried westcoastcorvettes I think it's listed under trans brace or trans strut brace or something similar
since you have a 99 it probably has a 1 rib diff, you would be better off finding a 3 rib to build if your going to do internal modifications and you might want to go with a different gear ratio also
when I first started going to track a few years ago I had cam and fast intake and ls7 clutch making about 430, stock rear end no trans brace only 26" bias ply tires, I probably made between 40-50 passes that year launching between 6-6600 rpm, I had no issues with rear end, launching high gets my tires spinning a few revolutions before they hook, you don't want to launch too low and dead hook that's when you break things
I think it just comes down to how often your going to be racing and how much you want to spend, if it's just a few times a year then would just leave it as it unless something breaks. The best thing I can suggest is get a bias ply setup and go from there
since you have a 99 it probably has a 1 rib diff, you would be better off finding a 3 rib to build if your going to do internal modifications and you might want to go with a different gear ratio also
when I first started going to track a few years ago I had cam and fast intake and ls7 clutch making about 430, stock rear end no trans brace only 26" bias ply tires, I probably made between 40-50 passes that year launching between 6-6600 rpm, I had no issues with rear end, launching high gets my tires spinning a few revolutions before they hook, you don't want to launch too low and dead hook that's when you break things
I think it just comes down to how often your going to be racing and how much you want to spend, if it's just a few times a year then would just leave it as it unless something breaks. The best thing I can suggest is get a bias ply setup and go from there
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 638
Likes: 70
Bringing it back. Car is in hibernation now so time to work on it. Going to get a trans brace and diff brace. I don't go to the track too much so I'll just keep street tires. Question tho. Is it harder on drivetrain to wheel hop or dead hook? Thanks
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Wheel hop is harder on the drive train the dead hooking.
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 1,155
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ategory_id=152
and for a Diff mount I used this
https://afepower.com/afe-power-450-4...smission-mount
and for a Diff mount I used this
https://afepower.com/afe-power-450-4...smission-mount
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321