diff relocation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: owensboro ky
diff relocation
just finished painting my vette yesterday! new rims came in this past thurs (intro pentia) 18x12 and 18x9. now the question is i ned to lower the rear about 4". i got fiberglass spring and 8" bolts to install at rear. heard you guys talk about raising the rear center section up in the car to prevent half shafts from going past level during scwating of rear when cornering or upon launch. if this is nessesary, i was going to knotch the crossmember. box it in and add a plate to the top, redrill for rearend position. this should raise the rear about half the thickness of the crossmember. then lower the rest of what is needed with the spring bolts. is this how it is done or is there a better way? what do i do at the pinion, shim it??? or will the spring and bolts give me 4" without cuting the crossmember? spring is 360# bolts are 8" car is now big block and it is a t-top car if that matters. any advise would be helpful. thanks, greg
will post pics soon as i get the car buffed out and get it lowered. looks like a 4x4 right now.
will post pics soon as i get the car buffed out and get it lowered. looks like a 4x4 right now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
You can raise the diff cross-member about an inch in the frame by doing away with the rubber mounts and tabs, and welding in some mounting plates. If you still want to maintain some isolation from gear noise, another member came up with an interesting idea that still yields about 3/4" higher diff.
This thread includes a post with dimensions for the solid plates... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1601099
This thread includes info on a poly bushed raised diff x-member installation... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1774542
BTW, Tom's Diff's has a diff cross-member mount reinforcing kit you might want to look at, while you're at it... http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/catalog.asp?pg=26
This thread includes a post with dimensions for the solid plates... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1601099
This thread includes info on a poly bushed raised diff x-member installation... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1774542
BTW, Tom's Diff's has a diff cross-member mount reinforcing kit you might want to look at, while you're at it... http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/catalog.asp?pg=26
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Oct 9, 2007 at 12:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
My guess is that the half shafts will be parallel to the ground with the 8" bolts. It wasn't until I installed the 10" bolts with my 360lb spring that my halfshafts angled up.
Last edited by enkeivette; Oct 9, 2007 at 05:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
torqvette, you probably know you're running the risk of binding (and breaking) those U's when your car squats, putting the diff even lower, which obviously makes you a good candidate for raising the diff. I believe it's recommended not to to exceed about 5* angle...
wgbsigns, to go that far (BTW, depending on your current height, that's most likely far lower than optimum high-perf settings, just so you're aware) you should try the 10's first. ...and, you're welcome.
wgbsigns, to go that far (BTW, depending on your current height, that's most likely far lower than optimum high-perf settings, just so you're aware) you should try the 10's first. ...and, you're welcome.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Renton Wa
have you drove the car since installing the spring? initally they sit rather high. Mine did the same thing. I pulled it off back off redid it again, dropped it all the way down, Still it sat high. So i finally took it for a 2 mile drive, and when i stopped it was hugging the ground.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: owensboro ky
no its all stock at this moment, rearend wise. just painted it, put wheels on. still have to install spring and bolts. i just wanted to know what it took to lower what i need and how to do it right the first time to get the best performance possable.
so car is stock hight now with a good factory spring. so it sat a little high to me with stock wheels and a 27" tall tire in back.(meaning the gap between tire and fender) now with fender flares and a 25.9" tire it has the 4x4 look. i could live with 3.5" lower in rear if that would make for better handeling. thanks, greg
so car is stock hight now with a good factory spring. so it sat a little high to me with stock wheels and a 27" tall tire in back.(meaning the gap between tire and fender) now with fender flares and a 25.9" tire it has the 4x4 look. i could live with 3.5" lower in rear if that would make for better handeling. thanks, greg