Jim, a variation of a torque tube assembly is used in 924’s, 944’s, 968’s, 928’s, C5, and C6 corvettes. Basically, there is a bell housing on the engine which contains the clutch and flywheel and input shaft. The input shaft is actually a 1inch thick piece of solid chromemoly, which sits within 4 bearings, inside a large steel shaft. This goes to the 2nd bell housing, which bolts up to the bell housing on the transaxle. You then reach up through an access port in the transaxle and slide a coupler on to a spline between the transaxle and the chromemoly shaft. No, that’s not sketchy (the coupler) I’ve never heard of or seen a failure even with guys running 600+ hp. You’ll smash the trans before you break that (as I’ve proven). The whole setup also helps to stiffen the chassis and provides a nice battering ram if you happen to get into an accident (prevents the transaxle or engine from ending up in the passanger cabin.).
As for progress today, we got the transmission out of the Austin Healey (UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHG) It was so not meant to fit in that car, and we ended up standing in the car and walking it out from inside. Stripped down the Porsche engine to the long block with the turbo still sitting on it. Finally finished pulling the torque tube out, which is surprisingly lighter than it looks. Stripped down the front suspension (just need to pull the coil-overs and wheels off the hubs). I REALLY need to go buy a parts washer, I always used to just do stuff with brake clean, but I’m beyond that now, need to do it correctly (and it was getting expensive). The car itself has the brake booster, some wiring, dashboard, hatch, and doors still left on it, and is sitting on a pair of mover’s dollies. Gonna start stripping down the rear suspension tomorrow and finish taking the waterpump/pullies off the engine.
Torque Tube awaits new bearings and delrin inserts.
Intake and fuel rail, I like the Lindsey rail because it’s well made and does the job, and I can take it off with the intake. However the anodizing sucks on it, probably going to fix that this winter.
Getting there…
Crossover pipe, stock headers, the bane of my existance.
All done for today.