Beef up 1980 drivetrain
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1
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From: Columbia SC
Beef up 1980 drivetrain
Have a 1980 vette with 434 cu small block.. 700 hp and need to know how to beef up the drivetrain to stand the preasure. have a 308 alluminum rearend but want to put 355 gear under her.. will any of the earlier cast iron housings bolt up to the exhisting mounts and how about the spindels and half shafts..? is any earlier stuff bigger and stronger? just want to know all I can learn before removeing whats there. Broke the universals off at the spindell at the track so got to at least beef those up as soon as possible. Any help would be great guys .. Thanks
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
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From: Clearwater FL
Re: Beef up 1980 drivetrain (Badvibe)
Yes the cast iron will bolt up to your aluminum wing. You will ahve to change the side yokes, half shafts, strut rods, and spindle flanges. Yes the earlier stuff is stronger and you can get shafts from any 75-79 vette that are 3" shafts. I make Carbon fiber shafts that are stronger and lighter than any steel shaft. You can also move up to a 30 spline inner and outer axle set up. It can get kind of pricey but you won't have the problems you are running into now.
Here's the link for the 30 spline kit. http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1878
You can ask Grandsport C3 for some picks of the carbon fiber 1/2 and driveshaft. I did an install on his 68.
Hope this helps you out :thumbs:
Here's the link for the 30 spline kit. http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1878
You can ask Grandsport C3 for some picks of the carbon fiber 1/2 and driveshaft. I did an install on his 68.
Hope this helps you out :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Beef up 1980 drivetrain (Badvibe)
I used Van Steel carbon fiber half shafts.. Those should be good to over 1000 HP... They are also 2 lbs/each lighter than the stock shafts and are much stronger... I already testet them at the track (running slicks) and they held up perfectly!!!
here's a pic of the oringal shafts...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 4:29 PM 12/15/2003]
here's a pic of the oringal shafts...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 4:29 PM 12/15/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
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From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Beef up 1980 drivetrain (Van Steel)
"Yes the cast iron will bolt up to your aluminum wing. You will ahve to change the side yokes, half shafts, strut rods, and spindle flanges. "
Dan you sure about that? If it will it's the first time I have ever heard of it. I would like to know if you can or not. Jim
Dan you sure about that? If it will it's the first time I have ever heard of it. I would like to know if you can or not. Jim
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Beef up 1980 drivetrain (PROSOUTH)
Yes it will work. I've done it before. Here's a link to show the 30 spline set up in a 80 using the cast iron parts. This will kind of give you an idea of what it will look like. You just have to down size the parts if you don't go w/the 30 spline.
http://vansteel.com/photos/index.cfm...Thumbs&e=4&s=1
http://vansteel.com/photos/index.cfm...Thumbs&e=4&s=1
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Beef up 1980 drivetrain (Van Steel)
I learn something everyday, You have shown me one that I had considered looking at making an adapter to accomplish. Had no idea it was a bolt in. Thanks Jim
