drive train question concerning an 05
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: conasauga tn
drive train question concerning an 05
Hey guys if i were replacing the drive train in my 05 manual car does it have to be specifically an 05 drivetrain if im swapping trans ,tt,and diff? What are the differences in the early models ? Fitment issues ? Or will a full 06 up dricetrain bolt right up no problem
_Sloth Whisperer_
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,369
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From: Malaysia Air Flight 370
Is this a manual or auto car?
The full 3 part manual drivetrain will bolt up. The '06 and up diff is substantially stronger, which is of note. It will not bolt to an '05 trans, and vice-versa, unless the respective tail housings are swapped to meet the diff pattern. If the car is an auto, then as noted, programming will be different between the A4 and A6. I would assume that can be handled by a tuner, but I'm not privvy to A4/A6 programming.
The full 3 part manual drivetrain will bolt up. The '06 and up diff is substantially stronger, which is of note. It will not bolt to an '05 trans, and vice-versa, unless the respective tail housings are swapped to meet the diff pattern. If the car is an auto, then as noted, programming will be different between the A4 and A6. I would assume that can be handled by a tuner, but I'm not privvy to A4/A6 programming.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
The 05 transmission has two reverse sensors, 06+ has only one. You can splice the wires on the 05 harness so that both sets of wires read off the same sensor.
Why do you want to swap your driveline? We may be able to provide you better advice if you more fully explain you needs.
If you want the stronger diff of the later models you don't need to swap the whole driveline as SlickShoes stated...and he knows from experience. Check out his how-to on RnR the driveline.
Why do you want to swap your driveline? We may be able to provide you better advice if you more fully explain you needs.
If you want the stronger diff of the later models you don't need to swap the whole driveline as SlickShoes stated...and he knows from experience. Check out his how-to on RnR the driveline.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: conasauga tn
In my above post you will see im just purchasing a 2005 roller . It needs complete tt trans and diff. Ive always heard the 05 mounting points are different but i didn't know which piece or pieces of the 3 were actually different. Thats why im asking for some info from someone who has done this before . Thanks
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_Sloth Whisperer_
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 9
From: Malaysia Air Flight 370
Many of us have done it before, as Joe noted.
Find the 06+ drivetrain of your liking and go for it. And as stated, in order to defeat the inherent "service column lock" message that will appear when you leave the second sensor of the '05 dangling, simply splice it into the first- as all the later trannies do not have a boss in which the sensor can be plugged. Post-05 cars went away from the "place in reverse to park" blunder. There are only a couple small gauge wires, if I recall. Takes 5 minutes. This will send identical signals back to the BCM and all will be right with the world. In addition, I'm having a brain fart at the moment, but didn't some Z51 cars come with an auxiliary drivetrain cooler, or was that just the Z06? If the former, look for one so equipped since you're getting the whole drivetrain. It'd be an added bonus. And note that the Z51 transmission gearing will be slightly different, so your shift points will come just prior to where they used to (though I take it you aren't currently driving a C6, so this won't be apparent to you).
Find the 06+ drivetrain of your liking and go for it. And as stated, in order to defeat the inherent "service column lock" message that will appear when you leave the second sensor of the '05 dangling, simply splice it into the first- as all the later trannies do not have a boss in which the sensor can be plugged. Post-05 cars went away from the "place in reverse to park" blunder. There are only a couple small gauge wires, if I recall. Takes 5 minutes. This will send identical signals back to the BCM and all will be right with the world. In addition, I'm having a brain fart at the moment, but didn't some Z51 cars come with an auxiliary drivetrain cooler, or was that just the Z06? If the former, look for one so equipped since you're getting the whole drivetrain. It'd be an added bonus. And note that the Z51 transmission gearing will be slightly different, so your shift points will come just prior to where they used to (though I take it you aren't currently driving a C6, so this won't be apparent to you).
Last edited by SlickShoes; Oct 16, 2012 at 12:10 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Many of us have done it before, as Joe noted.
Find the 06+ drivetrain of your liking and go for it. And as stated, in order to defeat the inherent "service column lock" message that will appear when you leave the second sensor of the '05 dangling, simply splice it into the first- as all the later trannies do not have a boss in which the sensor can be plugged. Post-05 cars went away from the "place in reverse to park" blunder. There are only a couple small gauge wires, if I recall. Takes 5 minutes. This will send identical signals back to the BCM and all will be right with the world. In addition, I'm having a brain fart at the moment, but didn't some Z51 cars come with an auxiliary drivetrain cooler, or was that just the Z06? If the former, look for one so equipped since you're getting the whole drivetrain. It'd be an added bonus. And note that the Z51 transmission gearing will be slightly different, so your shift points will come just prior to where they used to (though I take it you aren't currently driving a C6, so this won't be apparent to you).
Find the 06+ drivetrain of your liking and go for it. And as stated, in order to defeat the inherent "service column lock" message that will appear when you leave the second sensor of the '05 dangling, simply splice it into the first- as all the later trannies do not have a boss in which the sensor can be plugged. Post-05 cars went away from the "place in reverse to park" blunder. There are only a couple small gauge wires, if I recall. Takes 5 minutes. This will send identical signals back to the BCM and all will be right with the world. In addition, I'm having a brain fart at the moment, but didn't some Z51 cars come with an auxiliary drivetrain cooler, or was that just the Z06? If the former, look for one so equipped since you're getting the whole drivetrain. It'd be an added bonus. And note that the Z51 transmission gearing will be slightly different, so your shift points will come just prior to where they used to (though I take it you aren't currently driving a C6, so this won't be apparent to you).
The z51 also has a 2.97 first gear ratio and steeper 2 & 3 also that help acceleration. It has the same gearing as the C5 Z06.
If you get a Z51 tranny you'll need a matching radiator and the lines, or, plug or loop cooler lines on the trans.
_Sloth Whisperer_
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 9
From: Malaysia Air Flight 370
With all that said, don't forget to look towards an '08+ Z51 setup. This way you'll get the TR6060 which is a superior transmission, despite only still being 27 spline. As we mentioned the '06 diff is much stronger than the '05 due to an improved case design.
Better yet would be a complete Z06 drivetrain from '06-'07, which while still a T-56, is a 30 spline model, and all the setups are auxiliary-cooled. The downside to this will be a lack of gearing options. Stock 3:42 is it.
One step beyond that would be an '08+ Z06 setup, with the 30 spline TR6060.
Finally, a ZR1 setup would be your most priciest but stoutest by far.
...I will say that in my opinion, the best bang for the buck would be a 30 spline TR6060 coupled with an '06 base diff using a 30-splined pinion. This would provide all the strength you need and allow you to run multiple gearsets, which as I'm sure you're aware is a big plus. It's what I will do for my next C6 build should I have to tear into the drivetrain. Stout as the Z diffs are, I have broken them. I'd rather have a diff I can break that has gear options than a diff I can break that doesn't.
Just me though.
Better yet would be a complete Z06 drivetrain from '06-'07, which while still a T-56, is a 30 spline model, and all the setups are auxiliary-cooled. The downside to this will be a lack of gearing options. Stock 3:42 is it.
One step beyond that would be an '08+ Z06 setup, with the 30 spline TR6060.
Finally, a ZR1 setup would be your most priciest but stoutest by far.
...I will say that in my opinion, the best bang for the buck would be a 30 spline TR6060 coupled with an '06 base diff using a 30-splined pinion. This would provide all the strength you need and allow you to run multiple gearsets, which as I'm sure you're aware is a big plus. It's what I will do for my next C6 build should I have to tear into the drivetrain. Stout as the Z diffs are, I have broken them. I'd rather have a diff I can break that has gear options than a diff I can break that doesn't.
Just me though.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: conasauga tn
Thanks for all the help guys. Im thinking of doing a full 06 07 z06 swap due to my more "spirited" road driving over the drag strip. And slick shoes what are you talking about when you say "small gauge wires" is that correspondent to the gauge cluster or just a small size wire lol.