Extend Prop Shaft- Torque Tube
 

I bought a 2001 Z06 that had been totaled, mainly front damage but beat up all over. Farmers insurance sold me the car from a auction in Texas with the only imformation about it was 58000 miles and did not start. That was fine for me as I wanted a parts vehicle for my 39 Chevy Coupe project. I had it shipped to Michigan, charged the battery and it started right up, let it warm up and checked everything then drove it arround the block. Oil pressure gauge was pegged but it ran and drove great. I am going to put the chopped and channeled Coupe body on the Zo6. Does anybody have any expreince or knowledge of extending the prop shaft-torque tube? The Zo6 is 104.5 wheelbase and the Coupe is 112, 7.5 inches longer. Great Forum and thanks for your time. TLN Zo39

the wheelbase dimension for all C5's in 104.5, whether coupe conv or FRC (Z06)

the C6 gen is 105.7

go to the archive section of this link:

http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/

There are some restoration manuals for the various generations that have some useful stuff.

torque tube
 

I missed responding to your question. Don't know of anyone that has done it, but there is a "bellhousing" at both ends. I would guess there is someone out there in the world that has an extension kit. The easy end to extend would probably be the transaxle end. You would need an extensension shaft with internal splines and one end that fit the transaxle and some sort of extension housing.

I'd guess the actual shaft is heat treated, so welding to it would not be a good idea. making an extension housing would be easier.

Guessing only works if you have excess time and money.

www.Driveshaftshop.com , they have experience.

Build it right.........the first time.

Extend prop shaft
 

I have done alot of research on this and the only article found was Jay Leno's 66 gold Toronado. He put a c5 suspension and drivetrain in the Olds. It stated that he extended the torque tube but no other imformation. I am a tool and die maker- machinist by trade with custom body work as my hobby. The stock prop shaft is 2" aluminum tube .090 wall. I plan on using 3" alum tube .125 wall sleeved over the stock ends 7.5" longer than stock. The torque tube will be cut 3" in front of the trans housing so the shifter to seat and dash stays stock. I will use a 6061 alum 5.5" sleeve over the 5" torque tube to extend it. Any suggesions or ideas are appreciated. Thanks Tln Z039

Sounds like you have a lock on the problem, especially the tube.

Just as another resource to consider, The Driveshaft Shop has mucho experience and expertise in after-market propellor shafts for C5s (and C6s as well). They, in fact, offer a 3" propellor shaft for C5s and may be able to just make one for you in the correct length to begin with. "Whipping" is a potential issue that should be considered when lengthening a shaft, but may be greatly mitigated/eliminated by use of the greater wall thickness and diameter. Of course balancing is critical as well.

Which coupler design are you going to use? Personally I have had success with Prothane's "Six-Shooters" but also DSS makes a version of their own as well, that receives high marks for strength/durability. Protection from any exhaust heat is far more imporant for polys, but that's easily remedied.

Personally, I'd butt splice the tube and get the DSS to make a longer shaft. butt the extension into the tube cut and Tig it up.

Talk to Doug or Chris at East Coast Supercharging (ECS) in New Jersey (forum tuner) They have experience making modifications with the the torque tube propeller shaft. They make a U Joint version.. See if they have any info or recommendations/..

Bill

Being a diehard street rodder also for many years, I have to tell you that this exact thing has been done. Over the years I've seen a few cars that this exact same thing was done to. There was a '48 Chevy advertised about a year ago for sale in the Goodguys Gazette. He used many of the body parts and the complete interior including the dash. It looked like a '48 Chevy Corvette pickup. Keep searching the rod forums, you'll turn up what you need. BTW, in the '48s ad they mentioned that the truck ran as fast as 150 mph.

My understanding is they stopped making or offering the u-joint shaft quite a while ago. Possibly around the time Pfadt released the carbon fiber shaft?

gamel street rods in alabama did an awesome job on my c6. check out their website
www.c5-c6torquetube.com

hope he figured it out by now, this thread is 3 years old

yeah man, i recognize the thread is a few years old. new to forums. just thought it would help out the next guy looking for something similar.