Differential and gears
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
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From: New Lenox IL
Differential and gears
How do I know which differential I have? I am also thinking about getting new gears but I don't know what gears I presently have or which diff to get it for. How do I find out?
Also, what's the best gear for a 92 auto?
Also, what's the best gear for a 92 auto?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1
From: New Lenox IL
Re: Differential and gears (red-y)
Would I be better off with diff gears or getting a Dana 44? I would like to go pretty fast (about 12's w/o n20) but will be using it as my daily car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 13,002
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From: Paint Hill NC
Re: Differential and gears (Lord Odin)
Your ratio is stamped onto the carrier housing (if it is like mine and every one I have ever seen). Crawl under the dar and look under the housing. It is there along with part no, build date etc. Is should also be referenced in your build codes under the console lid but I do not have the codes. I'm sure someone on the board does...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Warrenville IL
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
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From: Mexico Beach FL
Re: Differential and gears (Lord Odin)
I swapped my '92 auto 2.59 Dana 36 for a 3.07 Dana 44. I have AFR heads and a Crane cam. As far as I am concerned, I would not want gears any higher numerically than the 3.07, since the A4 has such a low ratio first gear.
Tom Piper
Tom Piper
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,052
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From: Warrenville IL
Re: Differential and gears (Tom Piper)
I went with a 3.54 gear, from the stock 2.59.
My Et/mph went from 13.82@101 to 13.25@105.91mph with the addition of the 3.54 and muffler eliminators.
My Et/mph went from 13.82@101 to 13.25@105.91mph with the addition of the 3.54 and muffler eliminators.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
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From: New Lenox IL
Re: Differential and gears (nickd)
Thanks for that site, nickd! I've been looking for something like that to make sense of all those codes I have.
I have confirmed that I DO NOT have 3.07's but instead 2.73's. What's the best that I can get for the 36? 3.07's?
Also, which is better for speed but daily driving? 36 w/ better gears or the Dana 44?
I really don't know what I'm talking about, so I'm just trying to get an idea on this whole thing. :crazy: :yesnod:
I have confirmed that I DO NOT have 3.07's but instead 2.73's. What's the best that I can get for the 36? 3.07's?
Also, which is better for speed but daily driving? 36 w/ better gears or the Dana 44?
I really don't know what I'm talking about, so I'm just trying to get an idea on this whole thing. :crazy: :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,052
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From: Warrenville IL
Re: Differential and gears (Lord Odin)
You are not going to see much difference going from a 2.73 to a 3.07.
In my opinion I would go with the 3.54 gear and
unless you plan on doing ALOT of drag racing then I don't think it's really necessary to spend the extra money for a Dana 44. You will need to change the driveshaft along with the Tq. tube if you swap in a D44. If you can find a good deal on one then do it otherwise
the Dana 36 will be just fine and cost alot less. You can buy a Dana 36 with the 3.54 gear for around $800-$1250, depending on whether or not you want to buy one outright or ship back your stock unit as a core. If you are looking to sell your stock rear end there is not a big demand for Dana 36's with 2.73 gears, I would think you might be able to get a couple hundred bucks for it if you can find a buyer.
I bought my Dana 36 outright from Ed Portner at http://www.partsforvettes.com/ and paid somewhere around $1250 shipping & GM Limited slip & axle fluid included and no core required.
He also sells Dana 44 for aorund $2,000. Both are completely rebuilt rear ends using all new parts and brand new gear sets.
You can keep an eye out in the Parts For Sale page here as well if youre interested in buying one used
In my opinion I would go with the 3.54 gear and
unless you plan on doing ALOT of drag racing then I don't think it's really necessary to spend the extra money for a Dana 44. You will need to change the driveshaft along with the Tq. tube if you swap in a D44. If you can find a good deal on one then do it otherwise
the Dana 36 will be just fine and cost alot less. You can buy a Dana 36 with the 3.54 gear for around $800-$1250, depending on whether or not you want to buy one outright or ship back your stock unit as a core. If you are looking to sell your stock rear end there is not a big demand for Dana 36's with 2.73 gears, I would think you might be able to get a couple hundred bucks for it if you can find a buyer.
I bought my Dana 36 outright from Ed Portner at http://www.partsforvettes.com/ and paid somewhere around $1250 shipping & GM Limited slip & axle fluid included and no core required.
He also sells Dana 44 for aorund $2,000. Both are completely rebuilt rear ends using all new parts and brand new gear sets.
You can keep an eye out in the Parts For Sale page here as well if youre interested in buying one used
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
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From: New Lenox IL
Re: Differential and gears (nickd)
That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
One last question though. How hard is it to replace the gears yourself or do you need to have a professional do it? From a C4 book that I have (forget the name of it), it looks like a TON of work is involved. I would love to save myself some money and do it myself (not to mention get some experience from it) but if its damn near impossible, I'll just have someone else do it for me.
One last question though. How hard is it to replace the gears yourself or do you need to have a professional do it? From a C4 book that I have (forget the name of it), it looks like a TON of work is involved. I would love to save myself some money and do it myself (not to mention get some experience from it) but if its damn near impossible, I'll just have someone else do it for me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,052
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From: Warrenville IL
Re: Differential and gears (Lord Odin)
If you are going to have new gears put into your existing rear end and have never done it I would have someone do it.
If you are going to buy a complete differential,
it is more or less just unbolting things and you could do it yourself.
I also should have mentioned if you are going to buy just gears and have them installed they shouldn't be more than $300-$400 for parts. I think since you have the 2.73 now though you will need a new carrier for 3.07 & numerically higher gear which will add to the cost. At that point you are better off just buying the complete differential.
If you are going to buy a complete differential,
it is more or less just unbolting things and you could do it yourself.
I also should have mentioned if you are going to buy just gears and have them installed they shouldn't be more than $300-$400 for parts. I think since you have the 2.73 now though you will need a new carrier for 3.07 & numerically higher gear which will add to the cost. At that point you are better off just buying the complete differential.
