C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

And there she blows...........

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 06:05 PM
  #1  
Casey211's Avatar
Casey211
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Default And there she blows...........

I'm talking about my rear diff here. It's an 05 w/ z51 package H/C CAI, full exhaust and 3.9 gears. I did my first burn out and launch after putting about 600 miles and roughly 10 heat cycles and now the gear is whinning like crazy. There are also silver flakes in the fluid. Pretty sure it's safe to say it's done. I obviously need to upgrade. I talked with a RPM and they told me if I upgrade the rear I'm going to need to upgrade the transmission as well. I'm sure with their rear end that is the case, but I don't really understand why that is. Can someone please explain that to me. If I can just upgrade the rear and have it hold around 550-600 hp and not have to spend some serious cash I'd be a happy camper. Right now I'm pushing 433rwhp and 384tq. The reason I'd like it to hold more is cause I'm anticipation future mods. Any advice on this will be great. Thanks
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 06:19 PM
  #2  
NYC6's Avatar
NYC6
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Default

You should ask RPM why they told you that.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 06:25 PM
  #3  
Casey211's Avatar
Casey211
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Default

I would....but they are now closed. When I talked to them earlier I was between meetings so I didn't have a lot of time for a Q&A session. So now I'm thinking there are plenty of smart people here who might be able to hook it up.


Originally Posted by NYC6
You should ask RPM why they told you that.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 06:29 PM
  #4  
NYC6's Avatar
NYC6
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Default

Originally Posted by Casey211
I would....but they are now closed. When I talked to them earlier I was between meetings so I didn't have a lot of time for a Q&A session. So now I'm thinking there are plenty of smart people here who might be able to hook it up.
Sorry, Im not smart enough.
Im sure someone here is though.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 06:52 PM
  #5  
johnodrake's Avatar
johnodrake
Moderator
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Default

I think you have to upgrade the trans tailshaft where the diff mounts.

I would also check with DTEPowertrain.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 08:21 PM
  #6  
BartonekDragRacing's Avatar
BartonekDragRacing
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 8
From: TEXAS
Default

I'm sure they'd have an explanation.. I'd like to know the answer also..
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 09:17 PM
  #7  
Tommy D's Avatar
Tommy D
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
Default

Originally Posted by johnodrake
I think you have to upgrade the trans tailshaft where the diff mounts.

I would also check with DTEPowertrain.


The 05 has the weakest rear of all the C6s.

You should look into the reason it broke. Most break do to wheel hop! You need to fix the cause before investing in new parts!
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 10:04 PM
  #8  
TinSecondRice's Avatar
TinSecondRice
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 2
From: Petal Ms
St. Jude Donor '08-'11
Default

It is a bad set of gears! Several of us on here have had the same thing happen after about that many miles or less. Who did your rear end?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 11:08 PM
  #9  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 133
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

The car is a manual trans I assume?




Originally Posted by johnodrake
I think you have to upgrade the trans tailshaft where the diff mounts.
That's what I was thinking that they'd meant as well.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 11:25 PM
  #10  
Tommy D's Avatar
Tommy D
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
Default

Originally Posted by LS1LT1
The car is a manual trans I assume?

That's what I was thinking that they'd meant as well.


Me too! I wish there was a way to upgrade the 2005 A4 rear without going to a C5 rear
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 12:44 AM
  #11  
Spying Beast's Avatar
Spying Beast
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 3
From: Aiea Hi.
Default

Originally Posted by Tommy D


Me too! I wish there was a way to upgrade the 2005 A4 rear without going to a C5 rear
I wish I could find someone to make a C5 Z06 rear fit my 05 C6. THAT my friend, would be the shiznot...

If I could only convince Spin to sell me his, and have another one built.... That way it wouldn't cost me 5k to upgrade/safeguard my diff.
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 01:10 AM
  #12  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 133
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Spying Beast
I wish I could find someone to make a C5 Z06 rear fit my 05 C6. THAT my friend, would be the shiznot...
There actually is an outfit that's done plenty of them.
Cartek Performance Engineering (www.cartek.net) in NJ. 908-317-4496
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 06:34 AM
  #13  
Joe_G's Avatar
Joe_G
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by Casey211
I'm talking about my rear diff here. It's an 05 w/ z51 package H/C CAI, full exhaust and 3.9 gears. I did my first burn out and launch after putting about 600 miles and roughly 10 heat cycles and now the gear is whinning like crazy. There are also silver flakes in the fluid. Pretty sure it's safe to say it's done. I obviously need to upgrade. I talked with a RPM and they told me if I upgrade the rear I'm going to need to upgrade the transmission as well. I'm sure with their rear end that is the case, but I don't really understand why that is. Can someone please explain that to me. If I can just upgrade the rear and have it hold around 550-600 hp and not have to spend some serious cash I'd be a happy camper. Right now I'm pushing 433rwhp and 384tq. The reason I'd like it to hold more is cause I'm anticipation future mods. Any advice on this will be great. Thanks
This is a problem with the gear install. Take it back to who did it and have it repaired under warranty. When the 05 rears go they blow the case apart. If it's whining after 600 miles that's an install issue.

I blew my 05 rear to smithereens recently after 301 hard drag strip launches. My choices were:

1. upgrade to 06+ rear, this means buying an expensive 06+ core ($2k+ for stock gears, then you need to spend $1300 for 3.90 gears and an upgrade) + a $300 or so 06+ rear trans/diff mount.

2. downgrade to a C5 rear. I picked up a built rear with new gears for $1300 no core. $300 for a Cartek adapter bracket, plus some shop time to weld in a plate to the C6 cradle to support the adapter bracket.

I chose to mount a C5 rear as the cores are so much cheaper if I break one again.
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 01:20 PM
  #14  
Casey211's Avatar
Casey211
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Default

I'm not sure who actually did the gear. All my mods were done by Livernois Motorsports. They don't do gears there in house, they send out, and I didn't think to ask to whom. :o Dumb, I know.... I did give DTE powertrains a call today and talk to a tech guy, recommended the stage 3 rear diff. He also said that I need to upgrade the tailshift, so you guys were right on with that. I Then talked to a lady who gave me price ideas and we were looking at around 4K because I have to buy a new housing. Both individuals at DTE were very helpful and friendly. The lady who gave me the initial quote said she was going to try and find a housing for cheaper and is going to call me back in an hour. I have to find out more specifics here but so far here is where I'm at

DTE- great rear diff for $4000
RPM- both rear end and trans upgrade for $5500

I need to figure out specifically what both of these deals entails, but have any of you had good or bad experiences with these companies?
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 01:25 PM
  #15  
Joe_G's Avatar
Joe_G
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by Casey211
I'm not sure who actually did the gear. All my mods were done by Livernois Motorsports. They don't do gears there in house, they send out, and I didn't think to ask to whom. :o Dumb, I know.... I did give DTE powertrains a call today and talk to a tech guy, recommended the stage 3 rear diff. He also said that I need to upgrade the tailshift, so you guys were right on with that. I Then talked to a lady who gave me price ideas and we were looking at around 4K because I have to buy a new housing. Both individuals at DTE were very helpful and friendly. The lady who gave me the initial quote said she was going to try and find a housing for cheaper and is going to call me back in an hour. I have to find out more specifics here but so far here is where I'm at

DTE- great rear diff for $4000
RPM- both rear end and trans upgrade for $5500

I need to figure out specifically what both of these deals entails, but have any of you had good or bad experiences with these companies?
Who did you stroke the check to. That is the company that needs to warranty that rear end.
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 01:31 PM
  #16  
Casey211's Avatar
Casey211
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Joe_G
Who did you stroke the check to. That is the company that needs to warranty that rear end.
How will that work then? They fix what they broke and then I still have to upgrade? I'm confused as to what Livernois will do to fix the problem.
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 01:45 PM
  #17  
Joe_G's Avatar
Joe_G
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by Casey211
How will that work then? They fix what they broke and then I still have to upgrade? I'm confused as to what Livernois will do to fix the problem.
They will give you what you bargained for - a 3.90 equipped rear end that works.

Lots of people have good luck with the 05 rear ends, I had one survive 301 drag strip launches at 6k before it blew.

Other folks have had their stock rear break, normally from wheelhopping with run flats.

So whether or not to upgrade was a decision best made before you built your 05 rear as upgrading gears is the same price for 05's or 06's. But you are where you are and you have to make the decision to upgrade or not. I personally made the decision to downgrade to a C5 rear which is a much cheaper option as I posted. Remember, I didn't have a core rear so I was sunk. The 05 tranny bolts to the C5 rear and C5 rears are cheap, I gave $1300 for a freshly built one and there's a DTE stage 5 for sale for $1,500 call the number in my sig.

If you want an upgrade at least get your rear re-built so you can sell it for more than $500 or less which is all it's worth as a core charge. A good rear is worth some money, $1500 at least.

Last edited by Joe_G; May 1, 2009 at 01:48 PM.
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 02:47 PM
  #18  
TinSecondRice's Avatar
TinSecondRice
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 2
From: Petal Ms
St. Jude Donor '08-'11
Default

Like Joe_G said, you need to take it up with Livernois. There is no reason that you should be having to dish out money for a rear end again. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED!~
Reply
Old May 1, 2009 | 04:01 PM
  #19  
Casey211's Avatar
Casey211
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Joe_G
They will give you what you bargained for - a 3.90 equipped rear end that works.

Lots of people have good luck with the 05 rear ends, I had one survive 301 drag strip launches at 6k before it blew.

Other folks have had their stock rear break, normally from wheelhopping with run flats.

So whether or not to upgrade was a decision best made before you built your 05 rear as upgrading gears is the same price for 05's or 06's. But you are where you are and you have to make the decision to upgrade or not. I personally made the decision to downgrade to a C5 rear which is a much cheaper option as I posted. Remember, I didn't have a core rear so I was sunk. The 05 tranny bolts to the C5 rear and C5 rears are cheap, I gave $1300 for a freshly built one and there's a DTE stage 5 for sale for $1,500 call the number in my sig.

If you want an upgrade at least get your rear re-built so you can sell it for more than $500 or less which is all it's worth as a core charge. A good rear is worth some money, $1500 at least.
Ok, I get it now. I'm going to give Livernois a call. And just so I have my ducks in a row and don't sound like a dumb *** when I call......If all I hear is the wine and the case isn't cracked or leaking fluid, then I have a good arguement that the gear wasn't installed correctly. Right?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To And there she blows...........





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:12 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE