C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Just looking for advice!!

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Old Nov 3, 2024 | 09:41 AM
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Default Just looking for advice!!

As the title says I'd like to know of any northeast coast vendors that specialize in differentials for my 78SA with the exception of ZIP AUTO?

JJ78
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Old Nov 3, 2024 | 10:10 AM
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I can think of someone in that area…

@GTR1999
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Old Nov 3, 2024 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by JavaJolt78
As the title says I'd like to know of any northeast coast vendors that specialize in differentials for my 78SA with the exception of ZIP AUTO?

JJ78
As the title says, "Just looking for advice!!", nothing about differentials!

Seriously though GTR1999 is the person to contact for a quality built differential. Good Luck!
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Old Nov 4, 2024 | 03:01 AM
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Old Nov 4, 2024 | 03:06 AM
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Have to agree, would be pretty hard to beat Gary for quality.
However, just to throw in another option, Bairs Corvettes.
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Old Nov 4, 2024 | 04:05 PM
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What happened at Zip?
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Old Nov 11, 2024 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by J.Abbott
What happened at Zip?
Gary from Connecticut is the best in business .
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Old Nov 11, 2024 | 08:57 PM
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I wouldn’t let anyone else but Gary touch my differential.
Gary built mine and it is perfect.
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Old Nov 12, 2024 | 09:21 AM
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My 2 cents:

1. Gtr1989
2. yourself, Bairs, or Zip
3. anybody else

There is a Big quality jump between each step. Gary is the best in the world on these, now that Tom's service is gone.
With some guidance you can do the job as good as, or a better job, than anyone but Gary. Because you will be cautious and take your time.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...iff-build.html

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Old Nov 13, 2024 | 05:17 PM
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I have to agree 100%,,,, Gary is the only one for the BEST! I'm less than than 60 min. drive from Bair's , and I went to Gary...
.


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Old Nov 14, 2024 | 12:16 PM
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Gary did my differential, trailing arms and my steering box.
Super guy!
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Old Nov 14, 2024 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by OldCarBum

Gary did my differential, trailing arms and my steering box.
Super guy!
the best 👍👍
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Old Nov 17, 2024 | 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Cam33
Gary from Connecticut is the best in business .
ok, but not what I asked

Last edited by J.Abbott; Nov 17, 2024 at 02:17 PM.
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Old Nov 18, 2024 | 09:48 AM
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I would not blame you for not wanting to learn how to do it yourself, it can be a little intimidating.
My next choice would be to contact GTR1989 by PM or email.
My next choice would be any of the 3 corvette shops near Delaware.
Bairs (Erie, Pa) , or Zip (Virginia) or Corvette Paramedics (Mt Holly, NJ).

Corvette Paramedics is the closest to you, maybe an 60-80 min away from you, and just down the road for me.
I know them well.
(search for corvetteparamedicsinc on facebook)
They specialize in service, and have done a lot of C3 work over the last 40 years.
They usually have 30 cars there, and half of them are C3s.

They do trailing arms in house and I know hold them to .001" clearance. They did mine.
They no longer do diffs in house, but the guy they send them out to is in the diff business, and has been doing C3 diffs for them for years and does a great job.
So he knows what makes IRS diffs different from regular ones. Many diff guys just think they know.

One of the biggest issues you will have on a 78 is the softer axles, they may be shot and need replaced. They can be worn out in as little as 60k miles.
If you can pull the diff, or even just the half-shafts, you can check that yourself pretty easily.
Grab the h/s yoke coming out of the diff and yank on it, back n forth. There should be very little movement.
Once it gets up to around .100" or 1/8" movement, the faces are pretty worn, and you are most likely going to need new diff yokes.
If that is the case, sourcing good diff yokes will be the most challenging aspect of your diff build.

Last edited by leigh1322; Nov 18, 2024 at 10:18 AM.
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