9 Inch Ford Solid Rear Axle Conversion for C4
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga TN
naturally, a crossmember to support the tranny would be rquired, so reinforcement of the floor stucture would be needed.
using the 4-link style (5-link actually, with the required panhard rod) would be preferable to using a torque arm setup... so no need for a special diff. housing would be necessary.
the 4 links to a solid axle could easily be made longer than the factory rods are now, so i dont think there would be much concern about them being too short.
also, exhaust system routing would be a concern, for streetable cars...
using the 4-link style (5-link actually, with the required panhard rod) would be preferable to using a torque arm setup... so no need for a special diff. housing would be necessary.
the 4 links to a solid axle could easily be made longer than the factory rods are now, so i dont think there would be much concern about them being too short.
also, exhaust system routing would be a concern, for streetable cars...
Last edited by BigLee; Dec 19, 2006 at 10:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
The engine location makes the C4 a great launching car. There are not many factory suspension type cars that can pull 1.30 to 1.40 sixty foot times withtout major cutting or fabtication.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
Not saying its bad, jut not ideal for a track only car. Vega's, fbody's, some g body's make much better drag cars. More parts available, cheaper components, etc.
Up top Jesse made a comment about a 9" rear for $6500.. For $6500 you could do a rear, 4 link, front end, full cage, and still have some cash left over for 4 points, seats, and maybe even a window net on another car.
-- Joe
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
I So does changing the engine location in a cheaper more friedly body
Not saying its bad, jut not ideal for a track only car. Vega's, fbody's, some g body's make much better drag cars. More parts available, cheaper components, etc.
Up top Jesse made a comment about a 9" rear for $6500.. For $6500 you could do a rear, 4 link, front end, full cage, and still have some cash left over for 4 points, seats, and maybe even a window net on another car.
-- Joe
Not saying its bad, jut not ideal for a track only car. Vega's, fbody's, some g body's make much better drag cars. More parts available, cheaper components, etc.
Up top Jesse made a comment about a 9" rear for $6500.. For $6500 you could do a rear, 4 link, front end, full cage, and still have some cash left over for 4 points, seats, and maybe even a window net on another car.
-- Joe
There would be no, or very little, advancement of motorsports if people just did what was the easiest.
All I am saying is that some people like to be different and have the means to do it (money and/or knowledge) and I give them kudos for trying to do things new and different.Maybe if more people were focused on offering performance parts for the C4, or any vette, the competition would drive the costs down. Part of the $6500 as stated is the fact there is very little economy of scale to mass produce and no real competition other than local chassis shops doing one-off jobs. Maybe if Nitroussam and some other members get this sorted out, it could influence to pricing other vendors have to offer.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
naturally, a crossmember to support the tranny would be rquired, so reinforcement of the floor stucture would be needed.
using the 4-link style (5-link actually, with the required panhard rod) would be preferable to using a torque arm setup... so no need for a special diff. housing would be necessary.
the 4 links to a solid axle could easily be made longer than the factory rods are now, so i dont think there would be much concern about them being too short.
also, exhaust system routing would be a concern, for streetable cars...
using the 4-link style (5-link actually, with the required panhard rod) would be preferable to using a torque arm setup... so no need for a special diff. housing would be necessary.
the 4 links to a solid axle could easily be made longer than the factory rods are now, so i dont think there would be much concern about them being too short.
also, exhaust system routing would be a concern, for streetable cars...
To fit any appreciable tire size suitable for drag racing which is what is going to be the primary target market - you will need to be able to fit at least a 28" and that is what I run now...
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
everyone seems to think the exhuast is a big problem on a solid rear and believe me it's not, you will be able to run the exhuast the same way as factory under the rear it's just you don't want the coilover set up too soft, so the car would'nt dip farther that it do with a IRS that's the key. I looked at a member on this forum car, and is very doable the money just hold me back for right now.
Randy
Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 8
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Let's see: 10%+ engine set back, a beater C4 is lots cheaper than 67-69 Camaro, very aerodynamic, easy to make it lighter, any SBC or BBC will fit, the only thing that requires any real sweat is the rear and 95% here wouldn't do it themself.
Guess I'd better start looking for a "good platform" to replace greenie!
Dave
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
WHAT!
Let's see: 10%+ engine set back, a beater C4 is lots cheaper than 67-69 Camaro, very aerodynamic, easy to make it lighter, any SBC or BBC will fit, the only thing that requires any real sweat is the rear and 95% here wouldn't do it themself.
Guess I'd better start looking for a "good platform" to replace greenie!
Dave
Let's see: 10%+ engine set back, a beater C4 is lots cheaper than 67-69 Camaro, very aerodynamic, easy to make it lighter, any SBC or BBC will fit, the only thing that requires any real sweat is the rear and 95% here wouldn't do it themself.
Guess I'd better start looking for a "good platform" to replace greenie!
Dave
Pretty much what I was thinking. Plus there aren't many cars with as cool front suspension and you can buy a decent used C4 project car for $2,500 to $5,000 pretty much anywhere. The C4 is one heck of a value in my book and I have a feeling the aftermarket is going to be paying more attention to our cars in the coming years.
Last edited by NitrousSam; Dec 19, 2006 at 08:35 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
how many race cars did you build ? i did most of the work myself and it passed $6500 for all the stuff you mentioned. going fast in a vette takes alot of money .
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/mrm...htribute-1.wmv
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/mrm...barnaby730.wmv
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/mrm...nowicked85.wmv
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/mrm...n_5-7-0014.wmv
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/mrm...n_5-7-0013.wmv
and that's just a few from my track
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
In the last 10 years?
Some of you folks obviously take things too personal, so whatever. I love vettes too, thats why I bought one. But I didn't buy it to make an all out drag car, infact, I bought it to get away from that. Been there done that, but I'm glad you are having fun and wish you the best of luck with your project.
-- Joe
Some of you folks obviously take things too personal, so whatever. I love vettes too, thats why I bought one. But I didn't buy it to make an all out drag car, infact, I bought it to get away from that. Been there done that, but I'm glad you are having fun and wish you the best of luck with your project.
-- Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
In the last 10 years?
Some of you folks obviously take things too personal, so whatever. I love vettes too, thats why I bought one. But I didn't buy it to make an all out drag car, infact, I bought it to get away from that. Been there done that, but I'm glad you are having fun and wish you the best of luck with your project.
-- Joe
Some of you folks obviously take things too personal, so whatever. I love vettes too, thats why I bought one. But I didn't buy it to make an all out drag car, infact, I bought it to get away from that. Been there done that, but I'm glad you are having fun and wish you the best of luck with your project.
-- Joe
your 100% correct about that, with the money i spent on my vette i could be going 8s with a different car, I just like to take on a bigger challenge and be a little different. In fact before I went to a straight axle, I bought a roller mustang and took all the stuff I had in the vette out to put in a notchback mustang. I was going to build a sbc mustang, and turn the vette back into a cruiser. Then it hit me , going 8s in a mustang is not so special , my friends do it all summer long, so I put the vette back together. Everytime I spend money on the car I wish I went with the mustang….hopefully its all worth it in the end. 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
I should be reading more carefully,:o I thought you said that with $6500 you can do all the stuff you mentioned for a vette, I didn’t know you meant on a different car like a mustang or a camaro. your 100% correct about that, with the money i spent on my vette i could be going 8s with a different car, I just like to take on a bigger challenge and be a little different. In fact before I went to a straight axle, I bought a roller mustang and took all the stuff I had in the vette out to put in a notchback mustang. I was going to build a sbc mustang, and turn the vette back into a cruiser. Then it hit me , going 8s in a mustang is not so special , my friends do it all summer long, so I put the vette back together. Everytime I spend money on the car I wish I went with the mustang….hopefully its all worth it in the end.
your 100% correct about that, with the money i spent on my vette i could be going 8s with a different car, I just like to take on a bigger challenge and be a little different. In fact before I went to a straight axle, I bought a roller mustang and took all the stuff I had in the vette out to put in a notchback mustang. I was going to build a sbc mustang, and turn the vette back into a cruiser. Then it hit me , going 8s in a mustang is not so special , my friends do it all summer long, so I put the vette back together. Everytime I spend money on the car I wish I went with the mustang….hopefully its all worth it in the end. BTW, I'm in about $17000.00 (yes) since MAY, and it will probably only go high 11s n/a at the track, but I have a good idea it might actually corner which will be new for me
-- Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Leo quotes $6500 for the rear installed with stock brakes. And just like you say, $5000 of that goes to the parts. So in reality, the labor is $1500.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
In the last 10 years?
Some of you folks obviously take things too personal, so whatever. I love vettes too, thats why I bought one. But I didn't buy it to make an all out drag car, infact, I bought it to get away from that. Been there done that, but I'm glad you are having fun and wish you the best of luck with your project.
-- Joe
Some of you folks obviously take things too personal, so whatever. I love vettes too, thats why I bought one. But I didn't buy it to make an all out drag car, infact, I bought it to get away from that. Been there done that, but I'm glad you are having fun and wish you the best of luck with your project.
-- Joe
Sometimes you have to work with what you have.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
Randy