To swap or not ??

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Dec 11, 2005 | 08:45 PM

rssshen vette

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Clarksville Tennessee

To swap or not ??

I have a 85 L98 with a newly installed 383. The plenum, runners, distributor and tranny are the only stock items left. I want to swap the rear gears (currently Dana 36 2.73's) to a 3.54 or 3.73.
My question is Should I swap the dana 36 to a 44. or shuold I keep the dana 36 and up grade the gear ratio? I do take the car to the local track on the weekends. And I do take loooong cruises. So what would be the best route ?

Dec 11, 2005 | 08:47 PM

Pete K

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Buy the 44. Cheaper in the long haul.

Dec 11, 2005 | 09:38 PM

rssshen vette

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Clarksville Tennessee

will I have to swap the entire rear end or can I just swap the center unit.

Dec 11, 2005 | 09:49 PM

hippy

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2000

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rssshen vette

will I have to swap the entire rear end or can I just swap the center unit.

The whole unit, C beam and driveshaft.

Dec 11, 2005 | 10:30 PM

85vet

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2000

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From: Heidelberg PA

Cruise-In V Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

The whole unit, C beam and driveshaft.

The 36 is on borrowed time - Go for the 44

Dec 11, 2005 | 11:05 PM

aboatguy

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Joined: Jan 2005

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From: Slidell Louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete K

Buy the 44. Cheaper in the long haul.

D44s are not the end all however, they hold up better than a D36.
Since you have modded your engine you may as well mod the driveline to take the additional torque!

Last edited by aboatguy; Dec 11, 2005 at 11:08 PM.

Dec 12, 2005 | 08:22 AM

Gary K

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 830

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From: VA

D44 unless you don't plan to run it hard...which I think is not the case since you have a 383.

Dec 12, 2005 | 05:05 PM

CFI-EFI

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Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 17,298

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From: The Top of Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by rssshen vette

will I have to swap the entire rear end or can I just swap the center unit.

The center section with the batwing at the minimum. The drive shaft MAY be necessary and a new "C" beam will save you drilling your old beam. Nothing from the 1/2 shaft yokes, outward is any different.

If you have the resources to buy the 44, you will be money ahead. If you keep building and racing, the 36 will fail eventually and THEN you'll be looking for a 44. However, there are stories of some 36s taking some incredible abuse and surviving.

RACE ON!!!

Last edited by CFI-EFI; Dec 12, 2005 at 05:08 PM.