Don't weld the AWD VCU

[<T>]

Originally Posted by Linebckr49

As there is a shortage for good VCU's and perhaps there might be some trouble finding a DOA VCU, i was able to find what MachV motorsports calls their 'VCE'...that is Viscous Coupling Eliminator. check it here: http://www.machv.com/viscoupel.html .Granted, its made for the AWD Eclipse/Talon/Laser, 90-99. But since it fits the Galant VR-4, there might be a chance of compatibility with the 3KGTs.

Obviously, its more feasible and cheaper just to weld a DOA VCU, but as alluded to above, this VCE would definitely be a reversible process, being that it is a bolt-on device.

Just thought i throw in my .02 cents.

looks like a great idea. If someone wants to buy it in exchange for my working VCU that is

[Bret Brinkmann]

Yeah don't weld the VCU. The planetary assemblies are a lot cheaper to replace.

The Galant VR-4 uses a very similar power train to the DSMs. The VCU eliminator won't work with our cars.

[<T>]

Originally Posted by Bret Brinkmann

Yeah don't weld the VCU. The planetary assemblies are a lot cheaper to replace.

The Galant VR-4 uses a very similar power train to the DSMs. The VCU eliminator won't work with our cars.

ah just the person... how do you make a 2WD conversion reverseable like you did with your RWD? are you actually welding anything, or are you swapping parts?

[Bret Brinkmann]

Weld the VCU? That is treasion.... I welded the planetary gears to the carrier. I have an extra good planetary assembly in the garage. If I want to switch back to AWD I pull the tranny, install the front diff ring gear I removed, and put the good (unwelded) planetary back in. Just that simple. PLanetarys are more abundant then VCUs also. They are also cheaper than the VCUs. The 5 and 6 speed VCUs are interchangable though.

As for now I am questioning the need to actually use the AWD transaxle in the TT convertions. IPO seems to be doing well with his FWD transaxle thus far. Granted he hasn't really launched the snot out of it yet but he is DEFFINATELY making some big power. I did happen to note that there are several changes through out the years in the FWD transaxles. Maybe some parts are stronger than others? I started a thread on this in the FWD forced induction thread if any one is interested in joining the conversation.

I would have to advise against pulling the end cover with the transaxle in the car. Far too often I hear of members breaking some thing or not being able to put it back together. It's a lot easier to pull the tranny and install/make the nessisary repairs any way. If you already have the tranny out of the car it would DIFFENATELY be easier and FASTER to just do the repairs now.

[sipe16]

Originally Posted by Bret Brinkmann

Weld the VCU? That is treasion.... I welded the planetary gears to the carrier. I have an extra good planetary assembly in the garage. If I want to switch back to AWD I pull the tranny, install the front diff ring gear I removed, and put the good (unwelded) planetary back in. Just that simple. PLanetarys are more abundant then VCUs also. They are also cheaper than the VCUs. The 5 and 6 speed VCUs are interchangable though.

As for now I am questioning the need to actually use the AWD transaxle in the TT convertions. IPO seems to be doing well with his FWD transaxle thus far. Granted he hasn't really launched the snot out of it yet but he is DEFFINATELY making some big power. I did happen to note that there are several changes through out the years in the FWD transaxles. Maybe some parts are stronger than others? I started a thread on this in the FWD forced induction thread if any one is interested in joining the conversation.

I would have to advise against pulling the end cover with the transaxle in the car. Far too often I hear of members breaking some thing or not being able to put it back together. It's a lot easier to pull the tranny and install/make the nessisary repairs any way. If you already have the tranny out of the car it would DIFFENATELY be easier and FASTER to just do the repairs now.

I left an email with the mach v company that makes the "vce" mentioned previously and let them know i have a spare vcu i could send them and mentioned that there would be a reasonable market from our cars if they made one. No response yet.

Agreed, welding the VCU probably isn't the best thing we can do, but personally i don't trust just the planetaries to carry all that torque, those have rather small teeth and I fear them stripping out under a hard launch - especially with an lsd and good tires.

MY reason for using the awd tranny was because of gearing. The fwd tranny tops out at 40 in 1st gear, meaning i have to shift a lot sooner than an awd tranny, and on the 5spd awd 4th gear compares pretty close to 5th in the n/a tranny. i got a 6spd, gas mileage and highway ownage Also i'm a strong believer that the awd tranny will help us fwd guys's launches a smidgin - it takes more power to spin the gears, so more power will be eaten at launch trying to spin the taller gear that was designed to be spun by a 320hp engine than that of a gear that was designed to be spun by a 222hp engine - overkill. I don't question the stability of the fwd tranny, i believe it's more than capable - i just want the gearing of the awd tranny. Besides, If i can't own the drag strip i at least wana be able to own the highway (most of it at least) =D

I know that you know all this already i'm just pointing out my reasoning behind ---

[<T>]

well despite all the technical reasons, I'm sorry to say unless you can find an alternative that doesn't cost additional money, welding VCU's will still happen. It's not that we are cheap, it's that we have to shell out so much damn dough in the first place we can't afford filanthropy.

[Bret Brinkmann]

Originally Posted by sipe16

...Agreed, welding the VCU probably isn't the best thing we can do, but personally i don't trust just the planetaries to carry all that torque, those have rather small teeth and I fear them stripping out under a hard launch - especially with an lsd and good tires....

I think some one hasn't seen my pictures from the NOPI burn out contest. You guys do know that I started that burn out in 2nd gear right?

I'm sure people will still weld VCUs but the planetarys are cheaper to replace, more abundant, and I beat the living bejesus out of mine on a daily basis (remember I amd TRYING to break some thing) and and it is perfectly fine.

[sipe16]

now when you're saying the planetaries to the carrier... are you talking about like this:

http://test.x5racing.net/vcu/images/PICT5299.JPG

thats locking the gears, or did you actually weld the gears solid WITH the carrier?

[SpeedFreakSteve]

Swapping a VCU is alot easier/faster than swapping the planetary gears though. Thats an important factor. Half of my customers swapping welded VCU's or installing LSD inserts always seem to be in a hurry and just want to do things as quickly as possible.

Add that to the fact that most people are pretty scared to start taking apart stuff inside their Getrag tranny like the VCU, as they often should be.

[sipe16]

Originally Posted by SpeedFreakSteve

Swapping a VCU is alot easier/faster than swapping the planetary gears though.

howso? the planetaries sit right on top of the vcu unit - which would be technically easier to get to? (even tho its almost necessary to pull everything in the vcu unit to fit it together). unless you're talking about the *entire* vcu housing, but if that's what you're doing you have to take the tranny even further apart than just the endcap - which is an even bigger pita imo?