VCE question....

[v8s_are_slow]

Wondering how a VCE allows a car to be ran in either FWD mode or lock in all 4? Do you just disconnect the transfer or something to run it in FWD? Also, I've heard of people using old vicous couplers to make vce's. I have 2 old tranny's layin around. What is done to make them from old parts? Anyone know? Thanks!

Scott

P.S. I already have an upgraded center diff.

 

[GRNDSM]

Wondering how a VCE allows a car to be ran in either FWD mode or lock in all 4?

VCE locks your center diff, spinning front and rear wheels at the same speed (just like a 4x4 truck). You then have an option of removing RWD (by dropping the transfer case or using a switchable transfer case), leaving you with just the FWD.

Also, I've heard of people using old vicous couplers to make vce's. I have 2 old tranny's layin around. What is done to make them from old parts?

The easiest way is to just weld the viscous coupling in the middle (where the two parts turn) and that is IT! My original VCEs were machined down and then welded. Reducing the weight from ~5 lbs to ~1 lbs.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Sweet, thanks for the info. Guess I'll be tearing apart an old transmission instead of buying a vce new. Don't guess you have the specs on the diameter that it was machined down do ya? Sure there has to be a limit on how far down you can get it machined.

 

[almostquick]

I was wanting to do this same procedure also and started calling around machine shops. A lot of places I asked would not do it for me due to the material and the bits they would have to use to get the job done. So when I go to a shop what will they need to do this?

 

[v8s_are_slow]

I was wanting to do this same procedure also and started calling around machine shops. A lot of places I asked would not do it for me due to the material and the bits they would have to use to get the job done. So when I go to a shop what will they need to do this?

I can't imagine any good machine shop saying they couldn't do this. All they'd have to do is slap it onto a lathe and grind off the material. It'd only be about the EASIEST job they could do on a lathe. Just uncertain of how far down to machine it though. And I certainly doubt that high speed steel couldn't do the job.

 

[almostquick]

Thats what I originally thought, I'll try making a second round to some local machine shops and see what happens. Thanks for taking out the time to answer.

I can't imagine any good machine shop saying they couldn't do this. All they'd have to do is slap it onto a lathe and grind off the material. It'd only be about the EASIEST job they could do on a lathe. Just uncertain of how far down to machine it though. And I certainly doubt that high speed steel couldn't do the job.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

About the hardest part of machining it I'd think, should be finding a shop that carries a lathe. Most of the ones around here don't have them. I just happened to stumble onto one not long ago so I already know where I'm taking it.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Hey Leon, where'd you have it welded at? I'm GUESSING you had it machined down until it was next to nothing and you had 2 separate pieces and then welded them from the outside? I'm sure that's what I'd end up doing but have it welded while sitting on that shaft of the old tranny I have laying around so the metal doesn't flex and get out of alignment. If I weld it on the inside I don't think it'll go on all the way.

One thing I'm concerned about is having someone machine it down on a lathe, break thru all that metal until it becomes 2 different pieces and then those pieces get grenaded out of the lathe and someone getting hurt if it's being held from the inside between 2 centers. Not sure if anyone would have the pieces to hold something that wide from the outside.

Anyway, I'll try and take pics of what I have done. Have the old stock viscous just waiting to be worked on. Glad I had 2 spare tranny's laying around.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Alrighty well here's a picture of the stock viscous coupling. I think what I'm gonna end up doing is put a weld bead right at the inner ring where I'm pointing at. I have access to an arc welder that I think I'll use cause of course the metal definately looks thick enough to handle it and I wanna make sure the weld is really strong. Then what I'll do is get it turned down and stop right at the edge of the weld bead. So no worries about parts flying out of a lathe if I have it machined down. I'll post another picture of the end result when I eventually have it done.

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