2005 differential upgrades?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
2005 differential upgrades?
Looking to upgrade my 2005 diff, is a 2009 differential strong enough to hold 700whp or should I be looking at a Z06/built units....? Will my stock t56 hold up at that power level (no drag racing)?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,752
Likes: 587
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
My buddy has a bone stock C6Z drive train in his C5Z.
He's been 9.21@158.
346/YSi. Probably about 1000rwhp.
He's been 9.21@158.
346/YSi. Probably about 1000rwhp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,047
Likes: 251
From: San Diego
I've been looking to upgrade my 05 diff as well. The C5 Z06 is the cheaper option but the cleaner and stronger option is the 06+ diff swap. I would like to hear what others have upgraded too.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
650rwhp 05 auto car with new 08 Z06 differential.1.45 60fts with no issues so far.knock on wood!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
I've heard that a newer ('06) differential will not bolt up to an '05 tranny.
It's the cases that fail in the '05's and GM addressed this in '06 with a stronger case.
FWIW, my ProCharged '05 (manual) went 76k miles with 550 rwhp and the diff never failed, but I did not beat the crap out of the car. No burn outs or drag racing.
It's the cases that fail in the '05's and GM addressed this in '06 with a stronger case.
FWIW, my ProCharged '05 (manual) went 76k miles with 550 rwhp and the diff never failed, but I did not beat the crap out of the car. No burn outs or drag racing.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Yeah the tail housing has to be changed on the transmission too I believe, I can't recall if anything else has to be changed but at the very least that does have to be changed
RPM or one of the other shops that deal with these all the time shouldn't have any issues setting you up. I was working with Texas Drivetrain on mine and their prices seemed very reasonable.
RPM or one of the other shops that deal with these all the time shouldn't have any issues setting you up. I was working with Texas Drivetrain on mine and their prices seemed very reasonable.
Last edited by schpenxel; Jul 6, 2017 at 08:29 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
RPM built and installed a Z diff years ago also beefed up the trans. And one more thing...you probably can still get a core value from your old. By the time I realized I should have done it long ago it was to late.
Last edited by saplumr; Jul 6, 2017 at 11:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 111
mine was an 05 too and broke the stock diff which ended up ruining the transmission at the same time but my understanding is to upgrade the diff you have to do the tranny anyway.
If was me I'd pull out the stock stuff before it breaks.
mine has rpm stage5 diff and t56 from c6z06 with I believe 30 spline, but fwiw it has been very reliable and works great at 900whp with a few 1/2 mile track days and lots of street drivings with 17" MT ET Street R tires.
if I was doing again I would get a tr6060 with zr1 gearset or at least the zr1 5th gear and instead not do any of the RPM upgrades.
If was me I'd pull out the stock stuff before it breaks.
mine has rpm stage5 diff and t56 from c6z06 with I believe 30 spline, but fwiw it has been very reliable and works great at 900whp with a few 1/2 mile track days and lots of street drivings with 17" MT ET Street R tires.
if I was doing again I would get a tr6060 with zr1 gearset or at least the zr1 5th gear and instead not do any of the RPM upgrades.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
mine was an 05 too and broke the stock diff which ended up ruining the transmission at the same time but my understanding is to upgrade the diff you have to do the tranny anyway.
If was me I'd pull out the stock stuff before it breaks.
mine has rpm stage5 diff and t56 from c6z06 with I believe 30 spline, but fwiw it has been very reliable and works great at 900whp with a few 1/2 mile track days and lots of street drivings with 17" MT ET Street R tires.
if I was doing again I would get a tr6060 with zr1 gearset or at least the zr1 5th gear and instead not do any of the RPM upgrades.
If was me I'd pull out the stock stuff before it breaks.
mine has rpm stage5 diff and t56 from c6z06 with I believe 30 spline, but fwiw it has been very reliable and works great at 900whp with a few 1/2 mile track days and lots of street drivings with 17" MT ET Street R tires.
if I was doing again I would get a tr6060 with zr1 gearset or at least the zr1 5th gear and instead not do any of the RPM upgrades.
