I am looking to stiffen up my drive line and prevent any future issues so I have been looking at the DTE Brace. Is it worth it? Does it actually help? Also any recommendations on stiffening up the drive line, any other mode. I know on an F-Body you can get tq arms, lca's, poly tranny mount etc but what do you do on a vette? Thanks

 

Whenever I had my built diff installed I was told that depending on the year of your diff (different kinds of diff cases) that determines the strength and on my car they said I didn't really need it so I saved the money for something else, but if you have the cash and want some extra assurance at the track go ahead and do it.

 

Do you have any more info on which cases are stronger?

 

There isn't much you can do to a vette for suspension. Some people upgrade the tunnel brace to a thicker peice. Shocks, Swaybars, and bushings is all that is even offered best I know. I have the DTE Brace on mine. Honestly there is no performance difference as far as handling, launching, or even making the car more rigid. You will not even know you did anything at all. I guess it is there for peice of mind. Especially if you spent 2-4k on a built diff why not spend 300 on that restful night of sleep you will get out of it.

 

agreed.... Going with upgraded shocks and sway bars....

 

I was told the same thing. Good luck though.

 

The 2004 Z06 cases had shot-peened gears and 3-rib cage. You can buy a case from GM for $450.

 

After hearing cracked case stories, I just did everyting I thought might make a difference like the DTE Brace and hardened shafts and forgiving sidewalls of the E T Streets. I'm up to launching at 6800 rpm and pulling a 1.48 sixty foot and still ok so far (knock on wood). Would rather be safe than sorry later !!
Pit

 

Is there any documented proof? How many ribs are the older cases?

Thanks

 

I've been running a DTE stg 5 and brace for about a year now.

It's more of a security thing, every bit more of safety margin, the better.
Bushings, suspension, brace, rear; that's about the extent of it off the top of my head. Bushings and shocks go a long way in damping the enegy transfer so not to be so harsh on the differential case.


The tunnel plate... a 1/2" cast aluminum plate in the the tunnel isn't going to do all that much; and body stiffening through a cage/ decent 6pt along the frame rails would do better if your going for body stiffening.


Ya, the GM literature did say the Z06 came with the shot peened gear and 3 rib case.... I got corrected by some 'vette ***** a week ago on this point . Still a weak rear in my mind.. nothing to write home about unless you like discussing the finer points of polished turds (ya ya.. the extra ribbing does help...)

 

The early cases had 1 rib and the later cases had 2 ribs.

You should visit RPM Transmission's site or pick up the phone and give them a call.

They have a C6 rear conversion package for the C5 that allows more power and less breakage due to the C6 pumpkin having a bigger ring and pinion.

 

So the O4 rear diff is the strongest in the C5 platform.
Good to know, thanks

 

If you're going to drag it or think you might get some wheel hop don't forget a DTE Brace. The brace protects the up and down motion or the differential and transmission during accelerationa and deceleration (taking foot off of gad pedal).

 

wait... so Z06's come with a 3 rib shot peened case? good to know

 

You'l see a SP after the gear ratio on the tag where it tells ya the gear ratio.

 

yep im definately going out on break to check it out if thats the case ill stop babying my rear end on launches haha