Got the SHAFT!!!!!!!!!

[CamaroAJ]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

Yikes...what am I looking for? Noise, slipping, hard shifting ?????

noise and slipping, missing gear (most the time its the gear that it was in when it let loose). its different on them all just depends on what the trans wanted to do. one of the 4L60's lost 3-4 since they use the same clutch pack. the TH400 lost second. just go beat on it some to make sure everything works like it should.

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by CamaroAJ

just go beat on it some to make sure everything works like it should.

That's one thing I can do!

[69MyWay]

Here are some pics of the floor and exhaust damage.

By the way, I followed Jim's advice on setting up the throttle body (it was showing 1 percent at idle and not going to WOT. It idles down so much faster now...albeit through open headers at the moment.

You can see where it snagged the wires and emission hose as well as the battery cable. Let me ask you guys that have batteries in the trunk. Where/how is the safest place to run that cable??????

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/publish...~element68.jpg

Here you can see where it tore the seatbelt mount off the floor on the passenger side. It is only hanging by a thread. If the carpet was out you would see daylight.

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/publish...~element69.jpg

In the short run I am going to see if the local muffler shop can bend two short runs of pipe to replace the crushed pipe. I realize now my X pipe in the middle is way too restrictive. We built this exhaust to make servicing the car a breeze with multiple drop out sections on the bell clamps.

[GregWeld]

I'm thinking this is why certain racing organizations require a DRIVE SHAFT LOOP...

Ya think??

Man oh man....

BTW -- the safest way to protect you battery cables - is to not have your drive line break in two pieces! Baring that, running them outboard on the "frame". Of course this question really can't be answered because it all depends.

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

running them outboard on the "frame". Of course this question really can't be answered because it all depends.

I set the cable up in this car just like all the Corvettes did from the factory did on the 3rd gen models. Running it along the side of the frame seems like an issue for any sort of T-bone accident which would likely short it out and cause a fire in a hurry.

I'm actually considering putting it back up front - except my air box is where the battery would go. I'd have to fit it in the driver fender front which would be kind of goofy too.

[Rick Dorion]

Sorry about the damage. When I had the battery in the trunk on my 69 (pass side), I ran the cables over the rear wheel well and up through the channel under the door trim plate. Used one of those battery cable posts you can mount on the floor (under the heater box) to pass it into the engine compartment. This way the cable was inside the car rather than exposed underneath.

[Vegas69]

I ran my cables through the car. Between the tunnel and passenger seat.

[GregWeld]

I keep reading "cables" as in plural.... I would really hope that you guys are only running ONE cable - as in a positive - forward to either the starter motor or to a post/terminal somewhere up "front".

The whole car - body and chassis - is the ground... with a short ground strap from the batter to somewhere right close to where the battery is mounted.

I then run short ground straps - under the car from the block to the chassis - and another one from the body to the chassis.... so I have good grounds and I'm not relying on bolts and screws. Use a STAR WASHER under the ground - these are made to cut into the paint/primer to give you good metal to metal contact.

When I run cables or wiring thru the floor - I use a marine grade (west marine) bulkhead fitting. There are many types - and their use depends on what you're doing - where - etc. I like the water tight versions that you run the cable thru - and a nut threads on and clamps the cable and also makes it water tight.

BTW -- worrying about a fire in an accident is a bit overkill and over thinking. You don't drive this car daily - reducing your risk 100's fold - which is why your insurance is about 1/3 of your daily driver... yet the value of the Camaro is probably higher. Why? Because of the reduced exposure. Think about the millions of factory cars running around -- they don't or haven't - taken any particular action regarding battery started fires. Batteries are up front - in back - under seats - in trunks...

If you're really worried about that -- think about this - the two terminals are "exposed" -- what if you get in a wreck and the metal around the battery is crushed and shorts out the terminals....

I'm just saying - there's too many scenarios... Just put the battery where you want it and run your cables...