Torque Tube Coupler - Stock, BMW, Solid?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 3
From: Nashville TN
Torque Tube Coupler - Stock, BMW, Solid?
Doing a trans swap on my 2002 C5 Z06. It makes 440RWTQ so I wouldn't think I'm at the power limits of anything. It is a weekend toy and I occasionally do a driving event with it.
Which of these are the best to go with? I know to avoid any Chinese made ones. I'd like to go ahead and buy what I need so I can replace them.
If I don't drag race is there a point to upgrading the trans/diff mounts?
Which of these are the best to go with? I know to avoid any Chinese made ones. I'd like to go ahead and buy what I need so I can replace them.
If I don't drag race is there a point to upgrading the trans/diff mounts?
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 have a 450 RWHP 02 ZO6 and when I was doing my head/cam swap along with the drive train mods ( New clutch, T-60/60 MN12 conversion and C6 ZO6 rear diff up-grades).
I removed and inspected the TT and couplers. (45K miles on the drivetrain) They looked like NEW so I didn't replace them. ZERO ISSUES!!
If you get the GM OEM couplers, you should be good to go..
Bill
I removed and inspected the TT and couplers. (45K miles on the drivetrain) They looked like NEW so I didn't replace them. ZERO ISSUES!!
If you get the GM OEM couplers, you should be good to go..
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
I was always curious about the quality of the BMW units, so I replaced mine with BMW couplers last year. Put about 10,000 miles on them. Dropping the drivetrain now to do an engine swap, so I'll take a peek at the couplers to see how 10,000 miles of street driving and a half dozen track days (road course) treated them. They haven't made any noise or given me any trouble thus far.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
The BMW coupler (made in Germany) is on the left, the OEM GM coupler is on the right (made in WEST! Germany)
There are tiny voids in the webbing between the bushings on the BMW model, probably to absorb vibration slightly better and provide more cushion.
Here's my 115K OEM GM couplers, you can see why I replaced them. However new ones are $180 EACH
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 3
From: Nashville TN
So do these typically fail from wear and hard use or does age probably play a part as well?
Looks like the GM ones may be a bit tougher, but the BMW ones seem to be used to save some $ on them? Whats the downside to the solid ones?
Looks like the GM ones may be a bit tougher, but the BMW ones seem to be used to save some $ on them? Whats the downside to the solid ones?
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
The rubber gets HARD and starts to crack (heat and age).
When you install solid couplers, there is a lot more drivetrain vibration.
Go one solid and one OEM GM.
Bill
When you install solid couplers, there is a lot more drivetrain vibration.
Go one solid and one OEM GM.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Feb 20, 2018 at 05:18 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 98
From: Philo IL
I put a solid al set in mine. There are definitely more harmonics. It's a hot rod and a bit of a rattle trap anyway so meh. I wouldn't hate if it were quieter, but nothing I've done so far has been to make it slower or quieter so.....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
As just one example, put a Dorman rebuilt front driveshaft in my daughter's Jeep. It failed one year and one day later. Dorman was useless. Found a USA made part that was a much better part. I won't go near any Dorman parts now.
The GM OEM parts may be more expensive up front, but I never hear of failures that happen quickly or due to lack of quality. Failures are typically from a lot of power being applied or age. With the difficulty to replace and the good service the GM parts provide, I would just go with the GM parts.
Last edited by vettenuts; Feb 21, 2018 at 07:56 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
As a funny aside I actually originally ordered replacement couplers from Zip Corvette thinking they had the best deal on OEM parts. When they arrived it was simply a Dorman part with a Dorman Label - they just applied the Zip Corvette label right over it. When I saw that it said "Made in China" on the box I sent it right back for a refund.
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
Brother,,, Thats an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!
Check out this post and skip down to reply #72 (by FORUMLIZED94)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-couplers.html
That will demonstrate how BAD the prothane 6 shooters are!!!!!!!!!!! I wish the rest of the pictures in the post still existed...
Be careful what you install..
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Feb 24, 2018 at 08:55 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
LMAO
Brother,,, Thats an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!
Check out this post and skip down to reply #72 (by FORUMLIZED94)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-couplers.html
That will demonstrate how BAD the prothane 6 shooters are!!!!!!!!!!! I wish the rest of the pictures in the post still existed...
Be careful what you install..
Bill
Brother,,, Thats an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!
Check out this post and skip down to reply #72 (by FORUMLIZED94)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-couplers.html
That will demonstrate how BAD the prothane 6 shooters are!!!!!!!!!!! I wish the rest of the pictures in the post still existed...
Be careful what you install..
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 50
From: Clayton, NC north carolina
Like you I'm a fan of the polys.... just not THOSES polys... LOL!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 50
From: Clayton, NC north carolina