Rear End/Differential Delrin Kit
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
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From: Midwest
Rear End/Differential Delrin Kit
I was considering welding disks into my diff crossmember and mounting it solid, but I saw this set from vansteel and wondered if anyone had an opinion on it. Thanks
https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=3031&ID=3904
https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=3031&ID=3904
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
I have heard of solid steel mounts....but this kit seems to be a quality product for the price.
But one would have to wonder if the car is driven on the street respectfully if this is really needed at all. I know improvements have been made on the suspension for the Corvette over the years. But some of these improvements may not be fully utilized if the car is just a cruiser. Jjust saying.
DUB
But one would have to wonder if the car is driven on the street respectfully if this is really needed at all. I know improvements have been made on the suspension for the Corvette over the years. But some of these improvements may not be fully utilized if the car is just a cruiser. Jjust saying.
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I don't think that I paid $50 bucks for two aluminum disks and two grade 8 bolts. The Delrin kit you posted might be slightly more ridged than the crusty old original rubber. But that is kind of a moot point because mechanically it is held ridged by the metal on metal contact. I ground the bottom of the diff cross member flat where the disks bolt on.
BUB, you must not have a very powerful vette, quality tires, or a manual tranny! Vettes get violent wheel hop. When I first converted from auto to manual I couldn't give my vette very much throttle in the first two gears.
The other thing is to get an aluminum or poly differential snubber bushing.
picture of aluminum cross-m disks.
BUB, you must not have a very powerful vette, quality tires, or a manual tranny! Vettes get violent wheel hop. When I first converted from auto to manual I couldn't give my vette very much throttle in the first two gears.
The other thing is to get an aluminum or poly differential snubber bushing.
picture of aluminum cross-m disks.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I would ask them how much it actually raises the diff. I just put in a new 4.11 diff. The only way to gain some height would be to change the end cones on the frame that fit into the end mounting holes in the cross-m. some of the c-3 track vettes had actually modded the cross-m and they were moving the diff up about an inch. but they had big fender flairs to accommodate big tires riding closer to the frame
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
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From: Napa Valley California
Actually the Van Steel rear diff Derlin kit lowers the rear of the car 3/4" to 1" by raising the differential up into the frame and it may be better than adding longer spring bolts.
gkull and DUB are both correct, it stiffens the rear and gives a more solid ride but may not be necessary for a corvette basically driven as a cruiser on the street.
I'm installing it on my 73 with the full coil over conversion kit and looking for a very aggressive suspension.
I would contact Van Steel and talk with their customer service reps before you purchase.
gkull and DUB are both correct, it stiffens the rear and gives a more solid ride but may not be necessary for a corvette basically driven as a cruiser on the street.
I'm installing it on my 73 with the full coil over conversion kit and looking for a very aggressive suspension.
I would contact Van Steel and talk with their customer service reps before you purchase.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Jun 29, 2018 at 03:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 199
Likes: 36
From: Rochester New Hampshire
I just installed the Van Steel Kit on my 71. I don't have any input on how it works yet because I am still neck deep in getting things back together on my body off resto. The kit goes together easy. I have a lot of experience with Delrin in my aerospace manufacturing background and I can say it is a very rugged material yet still stays somewhat malleable to dampen vibration better than metal on metal.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...5-resto-3.html Post 53
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...5-resto-3.html Post 53
Last edited by Willforce71; Jun 29, 2018 at 04:00 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
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From: Midwest
I'm not sure I understand exactly what you are asking. In order to raise the differential or lower the frame you must modify how the rear cross member mounts to the frame as well as the front mount. I am guessing the kit from van steel uses a shorter or thinner bushings for the cross member which will raise the differential, the front mount would need a thinner bushing as well in order to maintain the pinion angle.