BadAss SRT-Z - 2.4L / A568 - Update!!!

[MoparStephen]

Bad --- indeed! Congrats JT.

[BadAssPerformance]

Bad --- indeed! Congrats JT.

Thanks Stephen!

[johnl]

Yeah, the other day I was bragging that I know Jon Trotter, yeah that BassAssPerformance guy, mid 10s, who got his picture in the magazine.

[cordes]

Yeah, the other day I was bragging that I know Jon Trotter, yeah that BassAssPerformance guy, mid 10s, who got his picture in the magazine.

Jon is JT With Hair. Jason is JT Without Hair.

[csxtra]

Jon is JT With Hair. Jason is JT Without Hair.

Actually I think Jason prefers "Smooth JT"

Which reminds me of this everytime I hear it :

[BadAssPerformance]

Lol!!!^^^

[BadAssPerformance]

OK, after two confirmed cracked cases since August 2014 and a potential 3rd in the car from last fall, I think the A568 case needs some bracing.

Kind of like the classic A525 failure mode, it appears that the forces are pushing the diff out the back of the case.

2012 built trans RIP Aug 2014


2014 built trans found crack 2015


Comparison showing both cracks propagated from similar areas


Last year I looked at the A555 and noticed the case is has much more ribbing in this area. Here is a picture for reference (568 left, 555 right)


So, I have some ideas, but wondering what you gearheads, engineers, etc. think might be the best way to keep these together. Below are some reference pics you can sketch on in Paint or Photoshop or something and show where you think some bracing might help

TOP

FRONT

LEFT

RIGHT

BOTTOM

BACK

[Reaper1]

Well, you could add in the extra ribbing, but welding on the case is going to present several issues. I've been a big fan of building an "exoskeleton" cage, type bracing system for the case.

[DOHCRT]

What about studs (oversize?) for the diff cover and bearing retainers. I started researching that a few months ago but life got in the way...

[BadAssPerformance]

Well, you could add in the extra ribbing, but welding on the case is going to present several issues. I've been a big fan of building an "exoskeleton" cage, type bracing system for the case.

Welding cast presents a challenge... but I have a few cases to practice on

What about studs (oversize?) for the diff cover and bearing retainers. I started researching that a few months ago but life got in the way...

Look at the pics of the first one that split in half the case broke deeper than the bolt reach

[black86glhs]

What about something like Reeves scatter shield but with some additional bracing from the diff cover to the shield or a 525 girdle?

[83scamp]

Aren't the 568 cases heat treated like the 555 cases were? If they are, then that presents a whole new set of issues for welding...

[shadow88]

I think I know what case would serve you best, but you don't want to hear it again....

[85glht]

RWD....... Sorry, but you are destroying parts at an alarming rate.lol.
May also want to think about losing some weight in the car..... Lots of power, heavy car equates to the nice picture galley of broken stuff you posted earlier.

I know this is stuff you don't want to hear and I appologise for putting in my $.02

Looking forward to see what you come up with.

[fishcleaner]

How about vacuum bagging carbon fiber around it, an 1/8" build up should be stronger than all of the aluminum.

[Reaper1]

I have thought about wrapping a case with composite as well. Unfortunately a virgin case I think would be needed as all of the grease and oil that has wicked its way into the pores of the metal can't be gotten out...no matter how long you bake it, or how well you clean it. I suppose you could seal it with a type of adhesive/sealant first. Also, applying the material to the application correctly is paramount in netting any benefits. Remember that composites only take load along the axis of the fibers. Anything off axis and the strength starts to decrease and if you go into compression...well...composites don't do well in compression.

[BadAssPerformance]

What about something like Reeves scatter shield but with some additional bracing from the diff cover to the shield or a 525 girdle?

Already has the Reeves nut guard on it but it stops short of the diff area. A bolt-on brace might be an option.

Aren't the 568 cases heat treated like the 555 cases were? If they are, then that presents a whole new set of issues for welding...

They may be. Part of why I didn't weld to the last one but if its now 3 in a row.

I think I know what case would serve you best, but you don't want to hear it again....

LOL!

RWD....... Sorry, but you are destroying parts at an alarming rate.lol.
May also want to think about losing some weight in the car..... Lots of power, heavy car equates to the nice picture galley of broken stuff you posted earlier.

I know this is stuff you don't want to hear and I appologise for putting in my $.02

Looking forward to see what you come up with.

Yeah weight loss would definitely help. Not sure I want to remove any heavy bracing being a street car tho

How about vacuum bagging carbon fiber around it, an 1/8" build up should be stronger than all of the aluminum.

I have thought about wrapping a case with composite as well. Unfortunately a virgin case I think would be needed as all of the grease and oil that has wicked its way into the pores of the metal can't be gotten out...no matter how long you bake it, or how well you clean it. I suppose you could seal it with a type of adhesive/sealant first. Also, applying the material to the application correctly is paramount in netting any benefits. Remember that composites only take load along the axis of the fibers. Anything off axis and the strength starts to decrease and if you go into compression...well...composites don't do well in compression.

Interesting ideas! Never thought about a wrap was more thinking of structure but that would certainly do it.

Might have to cut it off to service tho... hmmm Probaby leaning towards weld-on or bolt-on bracing for revision 1

[cordes]

I agree that some sort of adhesive coating followed by CF would be a good way to go. You could easily cut it off to service the diff, but it would suck as a one shot deal. If you planned your layup well you could come out with something strong in many directions pretty easily.

[83scamp]

Maybe it's time to look into something like this:

http://www.hewland.com/svga/egt.html

But I'm sure none of us want to know the price on that...

[fishcleaner]

I have thought about wrapping a case with composite as well. Unfortunately a virgin case I think would be needed as all of the grease and oil that has wicked its way into the pores of the metal can't be gotten out...no matter how long you bake it, or how well you clean it. I suppose you could seal it with a type of adhesive/sealant first. Also, applying the material to the application correctly is paramount in netting any benefits. Remember that composites only take load along the axis of the fibers. Anything off axis and the strength starts to decrease and if you go into compression...well...composites don't do well in compression.

I would clean the case as best you could but I don't think adhesion to the case would matter that much. Doing a wet lay up with carbon fiber and vacuum bagging it into all the nooks and crannies would make it stronger. I think doing each part of the case separately, even with just strips would help, it doesn't look like it cracks where the bolts are. Even if you did "glue" the whole case together and it blew up, the case is done anyway and cutting it up would only be a time loss since the case is done.