When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been modifying street machines for years but am new to the world of corvette high performance parts.
I have an '81 vette with 46k miles on the clock and will be replacing the smoggy old 350/auto combo with a World products,Motown,600 hp,454 small block and tremec TKO600 trans.
I'm having trouble finding info on the rear axle.
How does the original 1981 diff and half shafts stand up to this kind of power?
I've heard the diff internals are similar if not the same as a GM 10 bolt found in any old solid axle car, is this true?
What do I have to do to upgrade?
I'd rather replace the original low mileage rear axle assembly with something that can handle the power than end up with a mangled up piece of rubbish after pulling 6000rpm,dropping the clutch and pile driving 600 odd pounds of torque through something that may not handle it.
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I have near 600HP and my stock rear hold up, I don't abuse it too much but taking it to 6000RPM in third from 2000RPM puts a steady 500+ ft/lbs thru it and it had held to now. Street tires will spin before the rear breaks I have found and I don't sit at a light and rev the crap out of it and dump the clutch. If you ever get that motor in your Vette you won't need to rev it to 6000RPM and dump the clutch, that motor will smoke the tires off from a 60 MPH roll in third
Revving it to 6000RPM and dumping the clutch aint gonna get you very far anyway unless you are warming up slicks, and if you are doing that you had better check into a stronger rear end from Tom's or the like
I have near 600HP and my stock rear hold up, I don't abuse it too much but taking it to 6000RPM in third from 2000RPM puts a steady 500+ ft/lbs thru it and it had held to now. Street tires will spin before the rear breaks I have found and I don't sit at a light and rev the crap out of it and dump the clutch. If you ever get that motor in your Vette you won't need to rev it to 6000RPM and dump the clutch, that motor will smoke the tires off from a 60 MPH roll in third
Revving it to 6000RPM and dumping the clutch aint gonna get you very far anyway unless you are warming up slicks, and if you are doing that you had better check into a stronger rear end from Tom's or the like
You're a legend,just the info i needed.
You have one of the best looking late C3 vettes I've seen,those convo pros really set it off.
How long have you had the tremec in your vette?
I see you have the offset shifter,where did you get it from?
Last edited by corgette; Aug 20, 2006 at 02:49 AM.
It's been my experience that the stock yokes and posi units fail. Vette rearends can handle straight line action. Turning while under power is what eats the parts up.
I installed some better parts as things broke and wore out.