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@MLM7447 Can you expand on that? I don't know what the original was. Why is the newer "80 vette Dana 44 Batwing suspension" a downgrade? Considering it had a 427 and I'm going to put in a 350, do you have any concerns?
I'm guessing the original diff, even tho better than the 1980 diff, was destroyed from abuse and or too much power, and the 1980 was just laying around so it got installed.
Search the posts and comments from member GTR1999. Gary it the one person here with all the knowledge on the differentials.
That diff will work,, just not for long with any big horse power..
Enjoy your project.
Typo correction, Gary Ramadei, GTR1999,
79 and older differentials are stronger and the foundation for anyone building a rear end to take any horsepower or abuse.
If you plan a big hp and tq build, you should consider replacing the batwing for the better iron differential.
Congratulations from a fellow owner of a blue ‘69 coupe, and welcome! This is a great place to post questions. Did you look up your car’s VIN on the C3 registry?
I noticed your location…I grew up in the same town. Once you get your car up and running, it’s going to be great for cruising!
I love hot rod Vettes. Maybe compromise, leave the lights down low but use round bulbs? TPIs aren't exactly torque monsters, that Dana 44 may survive. I'd just have fun with it until it scatters!
Hadn't thought to; but I just now tried the CF VIN lookup tool and the tool says it's an invalid VIN. What's the C3 registry?
I think there’s another C3 registry, but this is the one I refer to. Before I bought my ‘69, I found a number of cars I was considering on here. My car also had an entry, which I’ve updated.
A lot of the VIN look-ups don’t work because these have fewer digits. I tried out Epic VIN, which worked. It didn’t give me a lot of information I didn’t already know, but there was an entry.
@Coronette Thanks, registered it. Interesting rabbit trail as I was researching the VIN; discovered it's a coupe (19437). I thought that since it has a removable hardtop, it's a convertible! Then tonight as I was registering it, one of the options is "C07 Axillary Hardtop (for convertible)", so now I'm still confused. Is it that coupes had a removable hardtop and that this was an option for convertibles?
@Coronette Thanks, registered it. Interesting rabbit trail as I was researching the VIN; discovered it's a coupe (19437). I thought that since it has a removable hardtop, it's a convertible! Then tonight as I was registering it, one of the options is "C07 Axillary Hardtop (for convertible)", so now I'm still confused. Is it that coupes had a removable hardtop and that this was an option for convertibles?
Coupes have removable roof panels or “T Tops”, like yours.
Convertibles came with the retractable soft top, but there was an option available from the factory, for convertibles, that was a hard top that could be easily removed.
Some people, including myself, believe it greatly enhances the lines of any C3.
Coupes have removable roof panels or “T Tops”, like yours.
Convertibles came with the retractable soft top, but there was an option available from the factory, for convertibles, that was a hard top that could be easily removed.
Beautiful car!
Mine is a single shell and the pins in the back are actually bolts. The last pic here is behind the drivers seat.
Mine is a single shell and the pins in the back are actually bolts. The last pic here is behind the drivers seat.
/What I see in your picture, you have a convertible with the hard top installed.
If your registration shows it’s a coupe you might want to verify what you actually have.
There have been many C3’s that were converted from coupes to convertibles by the owners.
Yea, , I was not seeing the locking pin and receiver on the door jamb and door in the earler pictures,,, ((one thing indicating it was born as a convertible. )) Many conversions I've seen, that wasn't installed.
Hadn't thought to; but I just now tried the CF VIN lookup tool and the tool says it's an invalid VIN. What's the C3 registry?
. C3 corvette registry https://www.c3registry.com/ Click 69 in top left corner then hit the show registry tab. A list of every car that was entered into the registry. About 10% of the total. It will also show the vin sequence. You called your car a coupe but it is a convert. Is it 194379s. Or 194679s? First half of the vin.
It’s a 194379S. I recall the seller said that it was brought all the way down to the frame, blasted and painted, and built custom. It’s clearly been a long time since that was done and a lot of miles because there’s some light, small rust spots and oil and dirt. Doesn’t look like 50 years worth but certainly a few years worth on the road. Considering the flared front and rear wheel wells, and the the huge tail flair, I suppose it’s not a stretch to think that the body mods included a convertible conversion.