What the C3 REALLY needs
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
The solid axle rear end would eliminate the blown u-joints that happen with high HP cars. A Dana 60 or Ford 9" rear end is WAY more heavy duty than any beefed up 12 bolt setup.
Last year's Pump Gas Drags fastest time (not the winner) was a C3 that went about 148mph in the quarter (as I remember) with this setup. It's NHRA legal to 7.5!
http://hotrod.com/techarticles/113_0502_irs/
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by Pacin'California
Why buy a 396 Nova when you can buy a straight-six and hack from there? Nobody(today) buys an L-88 Corvette to back-half it and modify the bajeezus out of the motor. If I wanted to "hack" on any car, I'd pick the base engine. I have no interest in running an engine with L-88 or LT-1 heads on it, much rather slap a pair of modern wonderheads. Odds are I'd use a different block and crank than what was started out with anyways...
...SO... there's that.
Obviously, if someone wants a vette as a base for a dragster, that's his or her choice.
-Steve
...SO... there's that.
Obviously, if someone wants a vette as a base for a dragster, that's his or her choice.
-Steve
Nobody buys an L-88 Vette TO DRIVE anymore anyway
They're all on that auction show on Speedchannel
The Vette has a decent weight, and, except for the rear end, is suitable for drag racing. Since mine came with a big block, I really don't have to make a lot of mods to the car. But that rear end...it's BAD NEWS
Dep
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by Z-man
You won't have any blown u-joints with this setup, and you will get to keep your IRS.
Last year's Pump Gas Drags fastest time (not the winner) was a C3 that went about 148mph in the quarter (as I remember) with this setup. It's NHRA legal to 7.5!
http://hotrod.com/techarticles/113_0502_irs/
Last year's Pump Gas Drags fastest time (not the winner) was a C3 that went about 148mph in the quarter (as I remember) with this setup. It's NHRA legal to 7.5!
http://hotrod.com/techarticles/113_0502_irs/
Even if that COSTLY rear end does hold up (was it installed in a stick or auto?), you still have the flimsy u-joints that can let go.
I don't WANT to keep that IRS!!! A solid axle rear end has other advantages...especially a Ford. The drop out carrier makes it VERY easy to change rear axle ratios.
Dep
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Dep - Forgive me, my knowledge of the Nova's components isn't very significant.
If I had my choice, I'd own a GT40 (old, not the new 3500 lb gargantuan) for track days. Kit car so if it wrecks, I don't cry too much and also don't have half the Ford heads in the world hating me for such an act of indiscretion.
-Steve
If I had my choice, I'd own a GT40 (old, not the new 3500 lb gargantuan) for track days. Kit car so if it wrecks, I don't cry too much and also don't have half the Ford heads in the world hating me for such an act of indiscretion.
-Steve
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by Pacin'California
Dep - Forgive me, my knowledge of the Nova's components isn't very significant.
If I had my choice, I'd own a GT40 (old, not the new 3500 lb gargantuan) for track days. Kit car so if it wrecks, I don't cry too much and also don't have half the Ford heads in the world hating me for such an act of indiscretion.
-Steve
If I had my choice, I'd own a GT40 (old, not the new 3500 lb gargantuan) for track days. Kit car so if it wrecks, I don't cry too much and also don't have half the Ford heads in the world hating me for such an act of indiscretion.
-Steve
I am also not crazy about the new GT40. Would prefer the old version.
Dep
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Dep: ERA Replicas sells a GT40 kit that uses C4 Corvette suspension and weighes 2400 lbs (Read, miata weight) with an IRON head 351-W. The only scary part is the transmission(transaxle)- a Renault I believe. $5K used. More like $10k for a like new one.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by Corvus
Corvette
n : a highly maneuverable escort warship; smaller than a destroyer
I've always loved that definition.
n : a highly maneuverable escort warship; smaller than a destroyer
I've always loved that definition.
and "french" no less.........
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by DJ Dep
Z-Man: ALWAYS follow the money trail. Are there any ads in that magazine for Tom's Differentials? I'm betting there is. Endorsements like that are always suspect when the product being endorsed is ALSO paying for advertising.
Even if that COSTLY rear end does hold up (was it installed in a stick or auto?), you still have the flimsy u-joints that can let go.
I don't WANT to keep that IRS!!! A solid axle rear end has other advantages...especially a Ford. The drop out carrier makes it VERY easy to change rear axle ratios.
Dep
Even if that COSTLY rear end does hold up (was it installed in a stick or auto?), you still have the flimsy u-joints that can let go.
I don't WANT to keep that IRS!!! A solid axle rear end has other advantages...especially a Ford. The drop out carrier makes it VERY easy to change rear axle ratios.
Dep
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Z-Man: Certainly there are u-joints that can take abuse. Heck, there are at least two on normal rear wheel drive cars. The problem with the Vette is the up and down change in geometry and the increase in "weak links" of having 6 instead of two. I just want to eliminate those weak links, plus get the heavy duty advantage/convenience of a Ford rear end. Did the article mention if the car was stick or auto?
Stick cars are notorious for blowing out u-joints.
Dep
Stick cars are notorious for blowing out u-joints.
Dep
Last edited by DJ Dep; Feb 10, 2005 at 06:18 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
I think its a cool idea and I am looking at doing it myself. My brother-in-law builds race cars and has already done 2 C-4s and a C-3. We have already talked about it and he is going to help me. It looks awesome. As for now I have just started collecting parts.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
Originally Posted by DJ Dep
SMH: Keep us posted!!!
Dep
Dep
I have an acquaintance that drag races a '67 big block A/SA.
He's got a 9" Ford in it with the tranverse spring and different trailing arms. I don't believe he made any significant modifications to the frame and/or body. I'll call him and see what I can find out about it and let you know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
havent TUBS for vettes been around for a little while? it may be a impossible task for most people, but i think its do-able. you could even mini tub it. and yes i know it would be far from a bolt in because you would have to move the frame rails. but a mini tub seems fairly easy. lets see, maybe some bolt on brackets to hold top of a coil over, bolted to the inside of the framerails, and a modified ladder bar type set up that bolts to the stock trailing arm location, and offsets towards the diff. and a panhard bar to keep it centered. simple. you wouldnt even have to move the framerails with this setup.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Jeff: Just read the PM and it sounds VERY encouraging!! I had a feeling there WAS a way of doing it. Just don't have the grey matter to figure out the "how". I will be contacting your friend when the time comes for that switch.
panchop: Most shops don't want to put in the effort (or brainpower)involved in doing a conversion of this type. It's easier (for them) to back half it and install a 4-link solid axle. And yes, it AIN'T cheap!!!!
Dep
panchop: Most shops don't want to put in the effort (or brainpower)involved in doing a conversion of this type. It's easier (for them) to back half it and install a 4-link solid axle. And yes, it AIN'T cheap!!!!
Dep
Last edited by DJ Dep; Feb 10, 2005 at 06:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by DJ Dep
Jeff: Just read the PM and it sounds VERY encouraging!! I had a feeling there WAS a way of doing it. Just don't have the grey matter to figure out the "how". I will be contacting your friend when the time comes for that switch.
panchop: Most shops don't want to put in the effort (or brainpower)involved in doing a conversion of this type. It's easier (for them) to back half it and install a 4-link solid axle. And yes, it AIN'T cheap!!!!
Dep
panchop: Most shops don't want to put in the effort (or brainpower)involved in doing a conversion of this type. It's easier (for them) to back half it and install a 4-link solid axle. And yes, it AIN'T cheap!!!!
Dep