Diff build
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Diff build
I am learning more than I ever wanted to know about diffs. It all started when I decided to add a ZR1 heat exchanger to my Z51. I got the gears from RPM cut to drive the pump. Then I decided that I needed a Quaife carrier, and new bearings.
Not knowing any better, I bought a Z06 side cover to mount the cooler to and output shaft as well as the pinion support. Since I had all this I bought the rest of the case to build a complete diff.
Now the problems. The Z06 side cover doesn't fit, you need a side cover for a European delivered C6 because all of the ones that went to Europe had a cooler. Then you need another $200 in misc parts that don't show up on the online parts catalogs.
Tom at ECS was great help because I have their diff brace and he helped me with the side cover issue.
Moral of the story, do a better job understanding what you want and buy it built.
Not knowing any better, I bought a Z06 side cover to mount the cooler to and output shaft as well as the pinion support. Since I had all this I bought the rest of the case to build a complete diff.
Now the problems. The Z06 side cover doesn't fit, you need a side cover for a European delivered C6 because all of the ones that went to Europe had a cooler. Then you need another $200 in misc parts that don't show up on the online parts catalogs.
Tom at ECS was great help because I have their diff brace and he helped me with the side cover issue.
Moral of the story, do a better job understanding what you want and buy it built.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Hi Tim, sometimes educations do cost more than a finished product but I wasnt doing my diff build to save money. I wanted to know what was involved. I was willing to spend what I had to spend.
My results were a perfect diff with no noise and built as good as one could be built. I sourced a 500m DSS shaft from RPM as well as other parts. It was fun but I'd buy one done unless as a kid you were the type like me who had to fix things that werent broken because you had to know how they worked.
Good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
My results were a perfect diff with no noise and built as good as one could be built. I sourced a 500m DSS shaft from RPM as well as other parts. It was fun but I'd buy one done unless as a kid you were the type like me who had to fix things that werent broken because you had to know how they worked.
Good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,022
Likes: 18
From: Tampa FL (formerly Justinjor)
Tech Contributor
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
Hi Tim, sometimes educations do cost more than a finished product but I wasnt doing my diff build to save money. I wanted to know what was involved. I was willing to spend what I had to spend.
My results were a perfect diff with no noise and built as good as one could be built. I sourced a 500m DSS shaft from RPM as well as other parts. It was fun but I'd buy one done unless as a kid you were the type like me who had to fix things that werent broken because you had to know how they worked.
Good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
My results were a perfect diff with no noise and built as good as one could be built. I sourced a 500m DSS shaft from RPM as well as other parts. It was fun but I'd buy one done unless as a kid you were the type like me who had to fix things that werent broken because you had to know how they worked.
Good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have a daughter like that! The only difference was that I had to figure out how to put it back together.
I have the shop manual and it is good, but aftermarket books always appear to be easier for me to understand. Does anyone know if there is book out there on Corvette diffs? I have not found one.
I have the shop manual and it is good, but aftermarket books always appear to be easier for me to understand. Does anyone know if there is book out there on Corvette diffs? I have not found one.
