C5 Torque Tube
 

Could any one recommend a company that can lengthen a Corvette C5 torque tube.

Cheers Tim

It's tough
 

Hi Tim,

I have checked around and there are very few shops that want to mess with the C5/6 vette driveshafts. It's made of an Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite material. That requires a special welding process to fuse it with the proper strength. The shops that have said they could shorten them - either weren't aware it was AMMC material, or they didn't have the balancing setup required to balance the deal properly.

You'll run into the same deal above - plus you're up against lengthening it which could get you into a harmonic failure mode. So I would recommend against attempting to lengthen a stock unit unless you can find a shop that really knows what they are dealing with.

I'd replace it with the correct length with a new unit. I know of 2 manufactures. 1st is www.driveshaftshop.com They custom make the ends and tube outta 6061-T6 aluminum (not AMMC). The 2nd is outta composite material from LG Motorsports. www.lgmotorsports.com A couple other builders here have used this product to extend the driveshaft so they might jump in and tell you about there experience.


Good luck !! Jim

PS, The external tube that connects the bell housing end to the transmission bell is easy. A machine shop can cut the tube and machine out the weld and remaining tube stub. Then just add in the correct length of 5 inch 6061 - index it correctly - tack - and then alum tig the entire seam up.

Check with Rodger from Ironworks here on the site as he can reference a machine shop that did the work for 3 of his builds.

Jim

Thanks again Jim, I have ordered one from the driveshaftshop, $1000 plus freight. I have asked Gus from pick a part in Cleveland to add an exta torque tube to my order. I will get one of the local shops to modify it

Cheers Tim

P.S Measured the cradles for the C5 exact fit at the front and 3 inches narrower at the rear rails, very simple to mount to the chassis, no cutting needed.

Slight change Mike from SRIII frames has emailed, the Lenghtened torque tube with a carbon fibre shaft is $1300, I will go with this option and let the Forum no how it goes.

Cheers Tim

Great news and congrats ! Don't forget to start a build thread with plenty of pictures so we can follow along as you go.

Good luck !

Jim

We do all our own in house. We have an indexing Jig and do them on a regualr basis.

If your lengthening the torque tube you have to use a carbon shaft. Anything else with whip at a high RPM. Aluminum was very close to out of spec at stock length.

Thanks Roger I have gone with the Carbon Fibre shaft. Now its a long wait while all the parts are shipped to Australia.:(

Cheers Tim

[QUOTE=ironworks;240868]We do all our own in house. We have an indexing Jig and do them on a regualr basis. QUOTE]

I should have known .....:yes:

Thx