Rear differential question
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rear differential question
Greetings, I recently had a track incident and am having some body work done to my 2015 Z06. It has about 6000 miles on it. A couple of years ago, my diff went out at Road Atlanta and was replaced under warranty. I know the 2019 models have an improved differential / gearing. Does anyone know if a 2019 differential would be able to be plugged into a 2015? I was wondering if it would be possible to "upgrade" the differential in my 2015 with the newer differential. Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 250
From: NJ
Greetings, I recently had a track incident and am having some body work done to my 2015 Z06. It has about 6000 miles on it. A couple of years ago, my diff went out at Road Atlanta and was replaced under warranty. I know the 2019 models have an improved differential / gearing. Does anyone know if a 2019 differential would be able to be plugged into a 2015? I was wondering if it would be possible to "upgrade" the differential in my 2015 with the newer differential. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,592
Likes: 1,619
From: GREER SC
When mine went out I replaced it with a Wavetrac from RPM and went ahead and installed GForces axles while there. That almost bullet proofs it.
BTW I have it from a good source that there have been more than a few "track incidents" attributed to a failing Ediff.
I broke mine at the drag strip. I guess I got lucky.
BTW I have it from a good source that there have been more than a few "track incidents" attributed to a failing Ediff.
I broke mine at the drag strip. I guess I got lucky.
Last edited by Thomasmoto; Dec 19, 2019 at 12:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
When mine went out I replaced it with a Wavetrac from RPM and went ahead and installed GForces axles while there. That almost bullet proofs it.
BTW I have it from a good source that there have been more than a few "track incidents" attributed to a failing Ediff.
I broke mine at the drag strip. I guess I got lucky.
BTW I have it from a good source that there have been more than a few "track incidents" attributed to a failing Ediff.
I broke mine at the drag strip. I guess I got lucky.
A couple of weeks ago at the drag strip, I saw a C7Z make a HARD right turn from the left lane, about 400’ out. He crossed the center line and BARELY missed the right wall. As he came back to the pits, I heard the rear end popping and clanking. So the diff broke and caused the car to go hard right.... He had to call a wrecker to get it home.
At that point, I decided I’m done drag racing on the stock rear end. I’ll be doing an RPM diff next year.
Last edited by ajrothm; Dec 20, 2019 at 02:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,592
Likes: 1,619
From: GREER SC
E diff
A couple of weeks ago at the drag strip, I saw a C7Z make a HARD right turn from the left lane, about 400’ out. He crossed the center line and BARELY missed the right wall. As he came back to the pits, I heard the rear end popping and clanking. So the diff broke and caused the car to go hard right.... He had to call a wrecker to get it home.
At that point, I decided I’m done drag racing on the stock rear end. I’ll be doing an RPM diff next year.
At that point, I decided I’m done drag racing on the stock rear end. I’ll be doing an RPM diff next year.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,825
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Greetings, I recently had a track incident and am having some body work done to my 2015 Z06. It has about 6000 miles on it. A couple of years ago, my diff went out at Road Atlanta and was replaced under warranty. I know the 2019 models have an improved differential / gearing. Does anyone know if a 2019 differential would be able to be plugged into a 2015? I was wondering if it would be possible to "upgrade" the differential in my 2015 with the newer differential. Thanks
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 770
Likes: 164
From: Southeastern NM
After I broke my Diff, I called a dealer and gave them my vin (2016), a vin off a 2018 and one from a 2019 and the part #'s were all the same. So, I assuming that all GM diffs that are out there are the later ones..?? Don't see why GM would install an older unit, especially if tons of them were being blown up.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,592
Likes: 1,619
From: GREER SC
serv rear axle
After I broke my Diff, I called a dealer and gave them my vin (2016), a vin off a 2018 and one from a 2019 and the part #'s were all the same. So, I assuming that all GM diffs that are out there are the later ones..?? Don't see why GM would install an older unit, especially if tons of them were being blown up.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Yeah, I did the same thing and got the same answer. Part numbers seemed to be the same. But he also said that there were like six different numbers, so I wasn't sure if part of it could be replaced or if potentially the whole thing needed to be swapped.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I've definitely done the maintenance as recommended. I'm kind of particular for things like that. So it definitely wasn't because that was being ignored. We'll see once the body shop is able to get the car moving, then they can diagnose if there is also a current diff issue. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,811
Likes: 2,236
From: Sammamish, WA
I've recently switched to Amsoil 75W-110 fluid for better high temp protection. 110 weight standart is compatible with (satisfies) 90 weight specs, but promise much better high temp lubrication/protection. It might be worth considering..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 770
Likes: 164
From: Southeastern NM
Here is the carnage of my failed diff. I don't have the power to have done this, so I am thinking something failed within the ELSD hydraulic system. The GM Tech thinks the part was defective. It was replaced but the Tech followed a different fill procedure instead of the one in Document ID# 3415940. Next week, I might send it back to ensure the ELSD bleed and scan tools were used to properly fill that side of the lines.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f16gctbhuvNxcqQt7
It's nice to have the car back home though. Damn UAW strike set me back over a month due to parts orders.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f16gctbhuvNxcqQt7
It's nice to have the car back home though. Damn UAW strike set me back over a month due to parts orders.
Last edited by GeorgeR_Zed06; Jan 5, 2020 at 03:48 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,592
Likes: 1,619
From: GREER SC
E diff
Here is the carnage of my failed diff. I don't have the power to have done this, so I am thinking something failed within the ELSD hydraulic system. The GM Tech thinks the part was defective. It was replaced but the Tech followed a different fill procedure instead of the one in Document ID# 3415940. Next week, I might send it back to ensure the ELSD bleed and scan tools were used to properly fill that side of the lines.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f16gctbhuvNxcqQt7
It's nice to have the car back home though. Damn UAW strike set me back over a month due to parts orders.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f16gctbhuvNxcqQt7
It's nice to have the car back home though. Damn UAW strike set me back over a month due to parts orders.
I know how you feel about the time down, last year when I broke mine it took 3 months to get everything needed for it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 770
Likes: 164
From: Southeastern NM
The good thing is, the new diff is what comes in the 2019 cars, so hopefully it'll be a lot better. The transmission feels better too because it got a fresh flush while it was out.