1980 differential - how strong?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 2
From: Obscurity's Armpit
1980 differential - how strong?
I'm considering dropping in a crate stroker engine in my '80, but I'm concerned that the differential might end up being the weak link in the chain. Were these late C3 differentials as strong as those behind big block cars?
TIA for any helpful replies
TIA for any helpful replies
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
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From: Garland Texas
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
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From: Tampa Bay FL
I bought a 'new' service replacement unit off eBay and promptly had a shop blueprint it along with adding 3.54 Dana/Spicer gears. They set it up with much closer tolerances than GM. I'd say it is good behind a 400hp engine. My engine produces approx 300hp at the flywheel.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Kingston Ontario
My 1981 aluminum diff took a beating on the back of my 450hp 406 . I drag raced occasionally and did drive it hard on the street . Never a problem. But you never know...it could have been a grenade just waiting to explode with the right conditions. I never had good traction on the street or the track so that might be why. I had 2.1 sec 60' times with a 12.9 sec 1/4 so no grip there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
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From: San Diego California
Not necessarily. You could simply be replacing the lighter aluminum piece with an anchor. The 80 stock rearend will hold up to a lot of abuse, especially for a street driven vette.
Team Owner
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I don't think the diff will be a problem unless you plan on running drag radials / slicks. The tires will break traction long before th gear breaks.
