Should Chevy Join The Chain Gang?

[chevyman1973]

How could anyone not like that, that is hot and sexy! performance numbers dont matter when it looks like that

[lkimura]

The chain would have to be very long, about twice the length of the wheelbase. I would think maintaing proper tension on such a long chain would be a significant engineering problem.

I once owned a 65 Honda S600. This car had a traditional rear drive layout except the rear axle was several feet in front of the rear wheels. The rear axle had sprockets on either side to drive the real wheels through a chain. This was their version of an independent rear suspension. One big problem with the car was noise. Between the 9600 RPM red line and the chains, the only way to drive the car for any distance was with ear plugs.

[chevyman1973]

I think the chain idea is not a very good idea in that the noise level would be to much, and with that the vibe would be something most people could not live with! Now people that are performance nuts wouldnt care but remember moms, grand mothers, and guys that are light in the loffers would not like the extra noise and vibe!

I think the right approach is what we do now with cars, use a shaft!

[chevyman1973]

I really dont see where this tech will be taking us, cuz with bringing to market the electric type cars, and fuels cell cars that are coming wont this tech just go away after a while!

You cant use this tech in trucks except for the transfer case, so where else can you use this in the next 10 to 15 years?

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by lkimura

The chain would have to be very long, about twice the length of the wheelbase. I would think maintaining proper tension on such a long chain would be a significant engineering problem.

I once owned a 65 Honda S600. This car had a traditional rear drive layout except the rear axle was several feet in front of the rear wheels. The rear axle had sprockets on either side to drive the real wheels through a chain. This was their version of an independent rear suspension. One big problem with the car was noise. Between the 9600 RPM red line and the chains, the only way to drive the car for any distance was with ear plugs.

They know a lot more about the science behind the noise created by chains and how to cut it down than back in 1965. Also, those chain drives did not have auto tensioning and all chains get noisy as they wear and get loose and 'slap' more against the teeth of the sprockets. Was the car new or old when you owned it? It may have just needed a service. Noise issues are not mentioned in articles I've read on the S600.

PS. Some people thought the engine revving so high (tachometer went to 11,000 rpm) was a bit noisy, but nothing to do with the chains.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by chevyman1973

I think the chain idea is not a very good idea in that the noise level would be to much, and with that the vibe would be something most people could not live with! Now people that are performance nuts wouldnt care but remember moms, grand mothers, and guys that are light in the loffers would not like the extra noise and vibe!

I think the right approach is what we do now with cars, use a shaft!

Originally Posted by chevyman1973

I really dont see where this tech will be taking us, cuz with bringing to market the electric type cars, and fuels cell cars that are coming wont this tech just go away after a while!

You cant use this tech in trucks except for the transfer case, so where else can you use this in the next 10 to 15 years?

Grand mothers would buy the FWD Cruze. But before you assume that this will be noisy, remember all the worlds' motorbikes and quad bikes use chains, which are fully exposed to the air, so any sound they make is not muffled.

How many times when riding them do you find yourself thinking "boy those chains are loud"? The fact is never.

[Z284ever]

Love that Monza!

[Beau]

Nice photoshop buddy. Might actually make GM think about this vehicle.
I think the 3.0 with a 6 speed stick would make the Cruze fun. 270 horse.

[chevyman1973]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Grand mothers would buy the FWD Cruze. But before you assume that this will be noisy, remember all the worlds' motorbikes and quad bikes use chains, which are fully exposed to the air, so any sound they make is not muffled.

How many times when riding them do you find yourself thinking "boy those chains are loud"? The fact is never.

im not saying grand ma would not buy the cruze but if it is loud and it shakes then no i would be she wont

[KITT222]

Originally Posted by rsbaker

Here is the Original lest we forget: 1977 Monza Spyder 2+2

My dads first car was a '78 Monza Spyder 2+2 in blue. He painted it a different shade and put a 350 V8 in it to replace the stock engine (I want to say 305, but I dont have my facts straight).

Great chops. That one picture can be pushed to so many variations. Chain drives do sound like a good idea. Only issue I may see is that some junk may get into the chain. It could cause the chain to lose some of its lubrication. Even with a gaurd over the chain, things can get in (still baffled as to how that leaf got between my electric RC trucks motor and motor mount). Or the gaurd could be taken off. I'm not trying to poke holes, but it possible. Other than that its an awsome idea. Oh, and I'd just say shorten the overhang, leave the wheelbase for a narrower turning radius.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by KITT222

My dads first car was a '78 Monza Spyder 2+2 in blue. He painted it a different shade and put a 350 V8 in it to replace the stock engine (I want to say 305, but I dont have my facts straight).

Great chops. That one picture can be pushed to so many variations. Chain drives do sound like a good idea. Only issue I may see is that some junk may get into the chain. It could cause the chain to lose some of its lubrication. Even with a gaurd over the chain, things can get in (still baffled as to how that leaf got between my electric RC trucks motor and motor mount). Or the gaurd could be taken off. I'm not trying to poke holes, but it possible. Other than that its an awsome idea. Oh, and I'd just say shorten the overhang, leave the wheelbase for a narrower turning radius.

Actually my idea would be not just a chain guard but a fully enclosed and sealed oil-tight box. Oil would spray onto the chain for lubrication and then drain to the bottom of the box where an oil scavenge pump, like in a dry sump system, would collect it for re-use. So unless the box was actually holed, like putting a hole in your sump case, nothing would get in.

[alex725]

PLEASE GM!!! Make that monza! I tihnk I might make that my wall paper.

[Orbit Orange]

Nice chops. They look good but no thank you on a chain drive RWD vehicle. Many others have outlined the same negatives. Noise, price, stretching and maintenance are too big of issues for me. Seriously a 1 mpg loss as you state is insignificant to me. I'll pay more for my RWD with a proper driveshaft. And just to bring it up why not shift RWD vehicles over to the Corvette torque tube setup? On top of that you could probably pick up that 1 mpg with a high strength/lower mass aluminum driveshaft. Just spitballing here.

To reiterate, nice pics. But no thank you to a chain drive.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by Orbit Orange

Nice chops. They look good but no thank you on a chain drive RWD vehicle. Many others have outlined the same negatives. Noise, price, stretching and maintenance are too big of issues for me. Seriously a 1 mpg loss as you state is insignificant to me. I'll pay more for my RWD with a proper driveshaft. And just to bring it up why not shift RWD vehicles over to the Corvette torque tube setup? On top of that you could probably pick up that 1 mpg with a high strength/lower mass aluminum driveshaft. Just spitballing here.

To reiterate, nice pics. But no thank you to a chain drive.

Same here, 1 mpg isn't a deal breaker for me. But it seems to have stopped the G8 getting made and sold in the US..... go figure. Maybe it means more if you're an accountant.

BTW, thanks guys for all the comments on the Monza. It was fun doing it.

[Orbit Orange]

Maybe it means more if you're an accountant.

Ain't that the truth.