9 Inch Ford Solid Rear Axle Conversion for C4
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
For any that have made the swap to a solid axle, do you still drive the cars on the street or are they dedicated race cars? If you drive them on the street how does the handling compare to before the swap?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
I know KenCan has the Neverlift conversion done on his car and drives it on the street. You might want to PM him for his opinion on that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
You can’t take no turn going 50 mph like you do right now with the 4 link. It’s meant for straight line racing. But you can still drive it on the street like you do with a stock rear. Neverlift uses poly bushings for the 4 link joint witch is alot more friendly on the street than solid joints and last alot longer if you plan on driving it on the street.
bowtie8's setup is alot more streetable than my 4 link setup , its the same setup as a F body...very cool
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 737
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte MI
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
I talk with Ken a few times after Neverlift did the rear. He said it rode a little firmer. But everything is adjustable (ride height and shocks coilovers) Ken allowed me to look under the car a few times at the rear setup, that's what made me decide to put one in mine. Ken is on the forum as plumberh2o and he's a nice guy. The last couple of days I been pricing the parts and as mention $3500- up depending on what you want (part quality) Using late model F-Body brackets makes it easier to install but you will have to weld upper brackets for the upper trailing arms.
Randy
Randy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
$5,000 in rear end parts?
I have read several comments in this thread saying some forum members are spending $5,000 in rear end parts alone and I am scratching my head wondering specifically where this money is being spent. What parts are you specifically spending $5,000 on? Are you buying a complete Mark Williams rear end or something? Unless you are building insane power I think $5,000 in rear end parts seems like overkill to me unless the car is a 7 or 8 second street car.
NitrousSam
NitrousSam
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
Here's a link to Currie http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...t_rearend.aspx
and you're going to need coilover shocks, panhard bar,and adjustable trailing arms maybe these might work http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1802 I'm going to start measuring tuesday on the rear and suspension.
Randy
and you're going to need coilover shocks, panhard bar,and adjustable trailing arms maybe these might work http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1802 I'm going to start measuring tuesday on the rear and suspension.
Randy
Last edited by rlane5; Dec 24, 2006 at 06:03 PM. Reason: wrong link
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
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
20 years ago, a complete Dana 60 from MOPAR Performance was $1800(list)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Any idea what the guestimated price of the Neverlift is? Without a center section from a nine inch in any case would save a lot of money due to the many different 9 inch pumpkins on the market.
I would love a simple bolt in application that can run 10's, for example with an auto, and not have to worry about it. The D44 can get expensive as some of you know.
The nine inch center section isnt all that expensiivein comparison. SO the initial cost would be a drop in the bucket compared to later expenses. IMHO
I would love a simple bolt in application that can run 10's, for example with an auto, and not have to worry about it. The D44 can get expensive as some of you know.
The nine inch center section isnt all that expensiivein comparison. SO the initial cost would be a drop in the bucket compared to later expenses. IMHO
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
I think it will be tough to get it done for under 5k when all is said and done. Unless of course you have the rear and some of the other components.
I am assuming things will be chromoly and other high end pieces, like chromoly rod ends....last things you want is one of those puppies bustin! Two of them are pointed right at the drivers back......
Neverlifts price install with a 12 bolt from Strange was 6500....leo said he was makin about 1200 on the entire deal, which is not too much considering the work involved.
Just the latterbar/4 link hybrid that is in our chevelle setup was over 1500 dollars....and its just the bars.
A good set of coil overs shocks will be another good 700 dollars if you want double adjustable (QA1s or equiv.).
I will be curious to see what you guys come up with and please do not think i am discouraging you in any way....but I know hooked up spent at least 5500 on parts, I have been pricing things for years.....its expensive...but I am looking at higher end components for my setup if I do it........
I am assuming things will be chromoly and other high end pieces, like chromoly rod ends....last things you want is one of those puppies bustin! Two of them are pointed right at the drivers back......
Neverlifts price install with a 12 bolt from Strange was 6500....leo said he was makin about 1200 on the entire deal, which is not too much considering the work involved.
Just the latterbar/4 link hybrid that is in our chevelle setup was over 1500 dollars....and its just the bars.
A good set of coil overs shocks will be another good 700 dollars if you want double adjustable (QA1s or equiv.).
I will be curious to see what you guys come up with and please do not think i am discouraging you in any way....but I know hooked up spent at least 5500 on parts, I have been pricing things for years.....its expensive...but I am looking at higher end components for my setup if I do it........
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 737
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte MI
I think it will be tough to get it done for under 5k when all is said and done. Unless of course you have the rear and some of the other components.
I am assuming things will be chromoly and other high end pieces, like chromoly rod ends....last things you want is one of those puppies bustin! Two of them are pointed right at the drivers back......
Neverlifts price install with a 12 bolt from Strange was 6500....leo said he was makin about 1200 on the entire deal, which is not too much considering the work involved.
Just the latterbar/4 link hybrid that is in our chevelle setup was over 1500 dollars....and its just the bars.
A good set of coil overs shocks will be another good 700 dollars if you want double adjustable (QA1s or equiv.).
I will be curious to see what you guys come up with and please do not think i am discouraging you in any way....but I know hooked up spent at least 5500 on parts, I have been pricing things for years.....its expensive...but I am looking at higher end components for my setup if I do it........
I am assuming things will be chromoly and other high end pieces, like chromoly rod ends....last things you want is one of those puppies bustin! Two of them are pointed right at the drivers back......
Neverlifts price install with a 12 bolt from Strange was 6500....leo said he was makin about 1200 on the entire deal, which is not too much considering the work involved.
Just the latterbar/4 link hybrid that is in our chevelle setup was over 1500 dollars....and its just the bars.
A good set of coil overs shocks will be another good 700 dollars if you want double adjustable (QA1s or equiv.).
I will be curious to see what you guys come up with and please do not think i am discouraging you in any way....but I know hooked up spent at least 5500 on parts, I have been pricing things for years.....its expensive...but I am looking at higher end components for my setup if I do it........
Last edited by Bruce Witherspoon; Dec 25, 2006 at 07:27 AM. Reason: added more info
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
As tough as it is for you to believe I had it done on my car for about half of what you believe it can't be done for. Although it was 4 years ago and I had a 12 bolt housing already I only cost me around $3500.00. I still have the receipt and could give an exact amount. This included Strange 33 spline axles, bearing retainer, lightened spool, chrome moly adjustable upper and lower trailing arms, chrome moly adjuststable track bar, mounting the rear axle on the original transverse spring, (which NHRA requires) and installing the entire rear axle. This also include the all important rear xmember since the beam disappears with a live axle.
Thats awesome.....I have seen a few renditions of it still using the rear transverse spring.....can you provide some photos of your setup for us to see? I know of one car that utilized that type design and its one of the best running super stock cars on the west coast...not sure if its exactly like you have yours but it would be neat to see what you have.
What sorta 60' times you getting....and how consistent are they? That is really what has been holding me back from doing mine....other than the car I mentioned above and hooked ups car, I have not seen any super good 60' times from solid setups. Really what I am looking for is consistent 60' times from a setup...today if your 60' times are not within .00X of one another you might as well not even show up for racing.
Again I highly encourage these guys to continue persuing their course of action.
Really interested in seeing your setup.....do you not use coil overs in yours with the rear spring?
here is the vette I mentioned above...
Last edited by ski_dwn_it; Dec 25, 2006 at 08:01 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 737
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte MI
Bruce,
Thats awesome.....I have seen a few renditions of it still using the rear transverse spring.....can you provide some photos of your setup for us to see? I know of one car that utilized that type design and its one of the best running super stock cars on the west coast...not sure if its exactly like you have yours but it would be neat to see what you have.
What sorta 60' times you getting....and how consistent are they? That is really what has been holding me back from doing mine....other than the car I mentioned above and hooked ups car, I have not seen any super good 60' times from solid setups. Really what I am looking for is consistent 60' times from a setup...today if your 60' times are not within .00X of one another you might as well not even show up for racing.
Again I highly encourage these guys to continue persuing their course of action.
Really interested in seeing your setup.....do you not use coil overs in yours with the rear spring?
here is the vette I mentioned above...
Thats awesome.....I have seen a few renditions of it still using the rear transverse spring.....can you provide some photos of your setup for us to see? I know of one car that utilized that type design and its one of the best running super stock cars on the west coast...not sure if its exactly like you have yours but it would be neat to see what you have.
What sorta 60' times you getting....and how consistent are they? That is really what has been holding me back from doing mine....other than the car I mentioned above and hooked ups car, I have not seen any super good 60' times from solid setups. Really what I am looking for is consistent 60' times from a setup...today if your 60' times are not within .00X of one another you might as well not even show up for racing.
Again I highly encourage these guys to continue persuing their course of action.
Really interested in seeing your setup.....do you not use coil overs in yours with the rear spring?
here is the vette I mentioned above...
My car runs as a D/FIA and the best 60' has been 1.38 10.98 @ 119. The car generally works on everything short of wet grass on a 9" tire.
http://www.autoimagery.com/store/cgi...ch=witherspoon
If you would like picture I will need an email address. I am kind of challenged when it comes to posting pics here.
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://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...nd_comparison/
For stock cars, but look at the price
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/rear12f.htm
Some other stuff
http://www.metropartsmarket.com/cata...rend-c1s2.html
So my guess is that much of the higher costs quoted above are due to the fabrication of parts to mate it to our cars.
If a company could get a high commitmentrate to bu a kit, I'm sure they could do it cheaper. Why put all the R&D costs into every single unit?
If they could commit to 100 units, the R&D costs as well as custom fabrication could be spread out over the entire run. We have to stop people from charging Corvette Tax on everything. That why stuff costs so much, someone makes something, and charges an arm and a leg for it, nobody buys it, so the price stays high since the person doesn't want to take a loss.
People have to learn to price competitively, that BS of "how fast do you want to go? How much money do you have?" has got to stop.
Look at our Pro 8 category for the Northeast Corvette Challenge. These guys have well over $100,000 into their cars, not all of us can afford it and even if we could, why?
For stock cars, but look at the price
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/rear12f.htm
Some other stuff
http://www.metropartsmarket.com/cata...rend-c1s2.html
So my guess is that much of the higher costs quoted above are due to the fabrication of parts to mate it to our cars.
If a company could get a high commitmentrate to bu a kit, I'm sure they could do it cheaper. Why put all the R&D costs into every single unit?
If they could commit to 100 units, the R&D costs as well as custom fabrication could be spread out over the entire run. We have to stop people from charging Corvette Tax on everything. That why stuff costs so much, someone makes something, and charges an arm and a leg for it, nobody buys it, so the price stays high since the person doesn't want to take a loss.
People have to learn to price competitively, that BS of "how fast do you want to go? How much money do you have?" has got to stop.
Look at our Pro 8 category for the Northeast Corvette Challenge. These guys have well over $100,000 into their cars, not all of us can afford it and even if we could, why?
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
here's Neverlift site on their C4 conversion http://www.neverliftracecraft.com/NLRC0121.htm
and http://www.neverliftracecraft.com/current_projects.html
Maybe NL sells a kit that you could do yourself and if not it may be profitable to come up with one.
Randy
and http://www.neverliftracecraft.com/current_projects.html
Maybe NL sells a kit that you could do yourself and if not it may be profitable to come up with one.
Randy
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 737
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte MI
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...nd_comparison/
For stock cars, but look at the price
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/rear12f.htm
Some other stuff
http://www.metropartsmarket.com/cata...rend-c1s2.html
So my guess is that much of the higher costs quoted above are due to the fabrication of parts to mate it to our cars.
If a company could get a high commitmentrate to bu a kit, I'm sure they could do it cheaper. Why put all the R&D costs into every single unit?
If they could commit to 100 units, the R&D costs as well as custom fabrication could be spread out over the entire run. We have to stop people from charging Corvette Tax on everything. That why stuff costs so much, someone makes something, and charges an arm and a leg for it, nobody buys it, so the price stays high since the person doesn't want to take a loss.
People have to learn to price competitively, that BS of "how fast do you want to go? How much money do you have?" has got to stop.
Look at our Pro 8 category for the Northeast Corvette Challenge. These guys have well over $100,000 into their cars, not all of us can afford it and even if we could, why?
For stock cars, but look at the price
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/rear12f.htm
Some other stuff
http://www.metropartsmarket.com/cata...rend-c1s2.html
So my guess is that much of the higher costs quoted above are due to the fabrication of parts to mate it to our cars.
If a company could get a high commitmentrate to bu a kit, I'm sure they could do it cheaper. Why put all the R&D costs into every single unit?
If they could commit to 100 units, the R&D costs as well as custom fabrication could be spread out over the entire run. We have to stop people from charging Corvette Tax on everything. That why stuff costs so much, someone makes something, and charges an arm and a leg for it, nobody buys it, so the price stays high since the person doesn't want to take a loss.
People have to learn to price competitively, that BS of "how fast do you want to go? How much money do you have?" has got to stop.
Look at our Pro 8 category for the Northeast Corvette Challenge. These guys have well over $100,000 into their cars, not all of us can afford it and even if we could, why?