Rear axle ratio?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Rear axle ratio?
I was always under the impression that the axel ratio on my 87 auto was 3.07 but I received the window sticker and build sheet from the Corvette Museum yesterday and it has my axle ration at 2.59 
Is that a common ratio?
Is that a common ratio?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Originally Posted by cplonner
how do you request a build sheet from the corvette museum? I would like to get one for my car so i could know everything about it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Originally Posted by 91DRM
You have the standard. The option was the performance axle ratio, 3.07.
Z52 Sport Handling Package (Incls B4P FG3 KC4 and V01 options)...you would have thought that one of those numbers would be the performance axle ratio to go along with the Z52 package.
OK..maybe I'm reading the build sheet wrong. It has a whole list of options on the bottom of the build sheet with some having astricts (*) and just saw that the * means "standard" so with my Z52 Sport Handling package, I probably do have the 3.07 performance axle ratio and not the "standard 2.59.
Last edited by CREWZIN; Jan 12, 2006 at 10:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
At least for the 1984, the Z51 handling package ALLOWED you to order the performance ratio. The performance ratio wasn't part of the handling package, but you couldn't even ORDER the performance ratio if you didn't first spec the handling package.
RACE ON!!!
PS.
Standard or optional, the gear ratio should be indicated on the build sheet.
G44 = 3.07:1
GM1 = 2.59:1
RACE ON!!!
PS.
Originally Posted by CREWZIN
Great, so if I need the G92, and I don't, I'm back to having the 2.59 ratio.
G44 = 3.07:1
GM1 = 2.59:1
Last edited by CFI-EFI; Jan 12, 2006 at 11:28 AM. Reason: PS.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 6
From: Middletown New Jersey
Originally Posted by CREWZIN
Great, so if I need the G92, and I don't, I'm back to having the 2.59 ratio. 
Assuming you don't drag race, I'll bet you could find a D36 with 3.07 gears pretty cheaply to swap in. A lot of guys are upgrading to the D44 and just want to get rid of their D36 for something.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Originally Posted by GlennS87
Assuming you don't drag race, I'll bet you could find a D36 with 3.07 gears pretty cheaply to swap in. A lot of guys are upgrading to the D44 and just want to get rid of their D36 for something.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
Hmmmm. So, why don't I go directly for the D44? Not really worried about gas mileage, and don't really condsider myself a "drag racer" but have visited the track a couple times. But if the D44 would give me better low end "get-up-and -go" qualities, it might be worth a look at.
Just from reading numerous prior threads, I think the D44 starts to make sense when your engine is producing, say, 450 HP at the flywheel or you have a stick shift and shock the rear at the instant of launch with drag radials.
I am installing about a 450 hp engine in about 10 days. I am going to try to "cheap out" by installing the rear end cover with bearing supports in my D36.
I have an automatic. Will let Ya'll know if I am smart or a dummy. :o My thinking is, much rear end breakage results from the unsupported rear bearings distorting under high stress. I'll keep CF posted as my project unfolds.
Just from reading numerous prior threads, I think the D44 starts to make sense when your engine is producing, say, 450 HP at the flywheel or you have a stick shift and shock the rear at the instant of launch with drag radials.
I am installing about a 450 hp engine in about 10 days. I am going to try to "cheap out" by installing the rear end cover with bearing supports in my D36.
I have an automatic. Will let Ya'll know if I am smart or a dummy. :o My thinking is, much rear end breakage results from the unsupported rear bearings distorting under high stress. I'll keep CF posted as my project unfolds.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
From: bakersfield cali
for the mods you have, i think dropping in a d44 would be too much.
have you considered putting a 3.54 gearset in your d36, that would wake up the car a lot.
if you plan on doing a major engine upgrade, a d44 is your best bet
have you considered putting a 3.54 gearset in your d36, that would wake up the car a lot.
if you plan on doing a major engine upgrade, a d44 is your best bet
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
D44 isnt going to improve any feel or times, its merely an upgrade in durability over the original D36.
A rear axle has no definite engine-torque limit (hp breaks nothing, only torque does) which you can read about on my website. It will blow when it pleases, but the D44 will take the drag strip abuse for a very long time and you can use drag slicks, which you cant for the D36.
A rear axle has no definite engine-torque limit (hp breaks nothing, only torque does) which you can read about on my website. It will blow when it pleases, but the D44 will take the drag strip abuse for a very long time and you can use drag slicks, which you cant for the D36.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 6
From: Middletown New Jersey
Originally Posted by CREWZIN
Hmmmm. So, why don't I go directly for the D44? Not really worried about gas mileage, and don't really condsider myself a "drag racer" but have visited the track a couple times. But if the D44 would give me better low end "get-up-and -go" qualities, it might be worth a look at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
At least for the 1984, the Z51 handling package ALLOWED you to order the performance ratio. The performance ratio wasn't part of the handling package, but you couldn't even ORDER (crap) the performance ratio if you didn't first spec the handling package.
RACE ON!!!
PS.Standard or optional, the gear ratio should be indicated on the build sheet.
G44 = 3.07:1
GM1 = 2.59:1
RACE ON!!!
PS.Standard or optional, the gear ratio should be indicated on the build sheet.
G44 = 3.07:1
GM1 = 2.59:1
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by GlennS87
Although I haven't done it myself, I've seen here that there is some fabrication work involved, although it seems minor. Additionally, finding the D44 will not be cheap.
D36 to D44 is a straight bolt in. You need D44/with batwing, D44 driveshaft, and the D44 C-Beam.
It's an easy day.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
So why does a mate of mine with an 84 have a 3.31 factory fitted and no Z51? And has G92 on his build sticker (1 of 410 ordered).
RACE ON!!!
I was only wrong once in my life. That is when I thought I was wrong, but I wasn't, WC Fields
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I'm wrong plenty. And I'm not shy about owning up to my mistakes. I believe Casethecorvetteman, and that is why I said, "Is it possible I am wrong? It would appear that way. Stranger things have happened.". It doesn't look so bad if you quote the whole thought. I wish I could remember where I read, what I thought I read. It is possible it referred to a different item, other than the gear ratio, and I just screwed it up. In any case with no defense for my statement, I acknowledge and admit I'm wrong. Sorry people and thanks for correcting and enlightening me, Casethecorvetteman. 
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
I'm wrong plenty. And I'm not shy about owning up to my mistakes. I believe Casethecorvetteman, and that is why I said, "Is it possible I am wrong? It would appear that way. Stranger things have happened.". It doesn't look so bad if you quote the whole thought. I wish I could remember where I read, what I thought I read. It is possible it referred to a different item, other than the gear ratio, and I just screwed it up. In any case with no defense for my statement, I acknowledge and admit I'm wrong. Sorry people and thanks for correcting and enlightening me, Casethecorvetteman.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
(Sometimes we read some funny things like this and get them confused, ive done that here before!!) Now, if you have any idea of how we can talk this bloke into swaping me the 3.31:1 from his 84 into my auto 94 with 2.59:1, please pass on your thoughts!! I reckon that ratio would be the perfect balance for me since i drive the car everyday, maybe 3.54 would go better since i have a few valve train and head/intake mods, but im not all too sure on the best option, id like to go up to DANA44 and get either 3.33 or 3.45 and just know the diff has a better chance of surviving the everyday abuse (which probably would never break a DANA36) it sees at times. I like to be certain i have enough strength!! (which is why i spent $3,800 Australian on my auto transmission, with $1,209 covered by warranty company.... the guy that built it for me was so confident it will never break he gave me a 2 year/unlimited mile warranty for free and included free towing if it does, his rebuilds normally come with 12 month/25,000klm warranty)