solid axle 1981 vette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: michigan
solid axle 1981 vette
Have a few questions about installing an autofab solid axle kit in a 1981.Is there any mods that have to be done for the pinion angle, such as cutting or fabricating the underside? Also, what would be the max rim and tire size that could be used? Any other information would be appreciated as well. I am fairly new to these things so if, and probably are, direct me to where to look for the info. thanx
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
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From: michigan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: michigan
solid axle
I put a 406 sbc with a lot of torque, and replaced two half shafts with dragvette shafts and u-joints, also the danna 44 has aluminum cap in on the drivers side and that makes it vulnurable to breakage and the cost to have the cap and housing machined and still not sure it wont braek, just want to do it once and done, this is not an auto cross vehicle, thanx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,499
Likes: 137
From: Butler Pa
I put a 406 sbc with a lot of torque, and replaced two half shafts with dragvette shafts and u-joints, also the danna 44 has aluminum cap in on the drivers side and that makes it vulnurable to breakage and the cost to have the cap and housing machined and still not sure it wont braek, just want to do it once and done, this is not an auto cross vehicle, thanx
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
I put a 406 sbc with a lot of torque, and replaced two half shafts with dragvette shafts and u-joints, also the danna 44 has aluminum cap in on the drivers side and that makes it vulnurable to breakage and the cost to have the cap and housing machined and still not sure it wont braek, just want to do it once and done, this is not an auto cross vehicle, thanx
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
IMHO you'd most likely take a huge hit on resale value down the road, as once you put a live axle into your 'vette it will no longer be a true sportscar.
So, you are aware that it's relatively easy to mate a 10-bolt IRS hoghead to your batwing, no? And, if you don't think an HD built 10-bolt will do, 12-bolt IRS conversion setups can be beefed up to handle 1000+ HP. FWIW, if you decide on doing a 12-bolt/batwing IRS combo, I've got a couple of bits on the drawing board for mine which you may want to consider.
...Yep, I said 12-bolt, IRS and batwing all in the same sentance.
So, you are aware that it's relatively easy to mate a 10-bolt IRS hoghead to your batwing, no? And, if you don't think an HD built 10-bolt will do, 12-bolt IRS conversion setups can be beefed up to handle 1000+ HP. FWIW, if you decide on doing a 12-bolt/batwing IRS combo, I've got a couple of bits on the drawing board for mine which you may want to consider.
...Yep, I said 12-bolt, IRS and batwing all in the same sentance.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Dec 12, 2012 at 07:52 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 390
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
once you put a live axle into your 'vette it will no longer be a true sportscar.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
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From: michigan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: michigan
IMHO you'd most likely take a huge hit on resale value down the road, as once you put a live axle into your 'vette it will no longer be a true sportscar.
So, you are aware that it's relatively easy to mate a 10-bolt IRS hoghead to your batwing, no? And, if you don't think an HD built 10-bolt will do, 12-bolt IRS conversion setups can be beefed up to handle 1000+ HP. FWIW, if you decide on doing a 12-bolt/batwing IRS combo, I've got a couple of bits on the drawing board for mine which you may want to consider.
...Yep, I said 12-bolt, IRS and batwing all in the same sentance.
So, you are aware that it's relatively easy to mate a 10-bolt IRS hoghead to your batwing, no? And, if you don't think an HD built 10-bolt will do, 12-bolt IRS conversion setups can be beefed up to handle 1000+ HP. FWIW, if you decide on doing a 12-bolt/batwing IRS combo, I've got a couple of bits on the drawing board for mine which you may want to consider.
...Yep, I said 12-bolt, IRS and batwing all in the same sentance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
once you put a live axle into your 'vette it will no longer be a true sportscar.
A good straight axle setup would appeal to me if I were looking for a vette with a hot motor it just makes sense
They can handle just fine doubt his resale will matter much at all. not like its a 67 BBC car. hes having fun thats all that matters
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
Back in the early 70s, one of my friends had a 63 'Vette vert, and he was having all sorts of rear end troubles. I really don't remember all the details, but a local "hot rodder", with some decent fabrication skills installed a solid rear end under the car. My friend moved out of state shortly thereafter, so I don't remember what happened to the car. I rode in it once, and I seem to recall it rode pretty poorly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Coil-overs would solve the space problem. But, the suspension geometry/dynamics of a live-axle compared to an IRS just plane suck unless you actually want a high rear roll center and zero camber gain.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
Ford 9 inch, h'mm hard to say the "F" word around Corvettes but they are tough and along with a four link, coil overs and tubs it will give you some 'stickage'. You have a good frame there to start with, weigh out the pros and cons...
I have gone this route on 63 Beaumont SD but there is no turning back once the first cut with the sawsall is made. I did not realize that I had tubbed and channeled a car that there was less than 200 hundred built. Oh well, "it takes a man to build a car, it takes a real man to chop one up".
Maybe some strong Tom's Differentails parts will tame that 'stump' pulling 406. Just my 5 cents.
I have gone this route on 63 Beaumont SD but there is no turning back once the first cut with the sawsall is made. I did not realize that I had tubbed and channeled a car that there was less than 200 hundred built. Oh well, "it takes a man to build a car, it takes a real man to chop one up".
Maybe some strong Tom's Differentails parts will tame that 'stump' pulling 406. Just my 5 cents.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
I finally took a minute and logged on to the Autofab website, to look at their kit. It's pretty straight forward, a 4 link deal with coil-overs. What I dont understand, however, is how it locates the rear axle laterally, without a panhard bar.