Wow, I'm shocked. Just finished my top end on my `05 Z51, did the TEA stage two heads, camshaft, CAI & tune (Carolina Auto Masters), already had complete exhaust headers back and last Sunday something snapped in the drive train. Haven't jacked the car up yet to inspect it yet, but after reading these post I have to say I'm some what bummed out. Close to 4 grand in the engine build, now I get to look forward to re-building something in the drive train.

Is this something I can re-build on my own, hell I already spent $180 on the manuals, or is a professional job only. I was imtimidated tearing down my top end and made it through that fine...had some help from some good friends.

 

Happened on my 302nd 5500 rpm launch. Look familiar?

I went for the c5 rear a year ago like Spin and it's still going strong.

 

This is good info to know. I think I'll be going the route of a C5 Z06 Diff.....

 

Hey Joe... How much did it run you for the c5 diff installed ?

 

When my rear blew it took out my trans too...I had one lump sum to pay for all and it was high, like $5k, I don't exactly remember.

The built c5 rear with new gears, clutches, hardened left shaft was $1300 and install on just a rear is about $600-700 I think. And if you do it before you blow your rear, you can sell the core and recover some of that. Auto guys like the 3.42 gears.

 

Hey Joe,
I had Jeremy and Roger do a set of 3.73's with the hardened steel shaft and stall a few months ago in my A4. Do you think I'm relatively safe with his upgrade?

Jeff

 

Yes, I don't think I've heard of an automatic guy breaking his rear.

Heck Dennis gets 1.4's with his and to my knowledge is still using the 05 rear!

 

Thanks Joe. To the OP, sorry for the hijack.
Jeff

 

Hmmm may need to get this done as part of the transmission gear change Ive been babying the launches... but I would love to see what it could do without worrying about a new surprise $5000 bill

 

Well, I'd say a couple of things.

First, no need to launch that hard on the mile run...you'll just spin. You cannot get good traction, and I mean traction like a 1.5 60 foot, that breaks rears, except on a well prepped track.

Secondly, the rears break on the track, or the street, generally because of wheel hop. They just can't stand that. And I've found that wheel hop comes mostly with street tires, drag radials at 17 psi tend to absorb some shock. That is how I got 301 hard drag strip launches out of mine. I think a C5 rear, or a C6Z rear, has a life of a few hundred hard 1.5 launches....so I opted for the cheapest solution for when I blow mine again.

Third, I really hope you investigate rear gears instead of switching your trans gears. IMHO changing the trans gears is not a good use of a lot of money....you can get 4.10 gears, a stronger rear in a c5 rear (sell your c6 to an automatic guy to recover a lot of your cost, and a much quicker car that you will love for MUCH less than it is to change the transmission gears, and have the same effect as a different 5th. The C6 Z51 5th is a good gear for top speed. My top speed is 200 if I had enough track with my 4.10 gears and tall 345 tires.

I hope you take my advice and drive a car with 4.10 gears before you make your decision.

In any case, hope to see you in October for our mile run...actually I might wait for the January run (if there is one) as it will be hot as blazes in October and not good for top speed.

 

Sounds like good advice from someone who KNOWS.
Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff!

Believe me, I know from hard experience what works and what doesnt! I am happy to share my experiences good or bad so others can learn from my mistakes and successes.

BTW....Corvette Challenge next Sat...see you there?

 

Joe,
I think I can actually make that one! Cool, thanks for the reminder. I'll see you there.
Jeff

 

Sorry to bring back and old thread, but has anyone on here built their own diffy -- 06+ or a C5Z? ie...installed gears, clutch packs, shafts, etc?

 

Does anybody actually make an adaptor plate to fit the C5 diffs into a C6? In all the various threads, it seems like people are fabbing-up one-offs.

If anybody knows of someone doing so, could you please post their contact info!
Thanks,

Jason

 

Hey bro's , some pics of these fabbed brackets would be sweet

 

Sparo2 did a great write up.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-write-up.html

 

If I have a full GMPP warranty this should be covered correct? I'm installing a cam in the car this spring so if the diff blows under warranty my options are either to risk bringing it in or uninstall the cam. Either way it's a gamble if GM will cover the rear end.