Ring & Pinion swaps?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Ring & Pinion swaps?
I have decided instead of replacing the entire differential unit on my 94 with a stouter Dana 44, I am going to replace just the ring & pinion and bearings as needed. I did some searching and I think from the posts, that several folks here on CF have gone this route, and I would like to know what parts are recommended for the job. I have a 94 A4 which currently has 2.59 r&p, I want to install a 3.73 or thereabouts. I will more than likely have a local speed shop do the work. I actually have thought about doing this myself but lack some of the precision measuring devices that I would need to dial in the gears correctly. I am making this choice based on current budget, and expected use of the car. I don't plan on racing this at the track often or making more than 375RWHP, so I think for this application it will be more than adequate to handle the job.
Any input welcome.
Any input welcome.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Mid America/ Ecklers used to sell complete rear ends ready to bolt up: just add oil and swap the speedo gears and your down the road. I bought a 3.73 from them over 5 years ago and it has run problem free since the install ~ but I don't run 350 + horsepower.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
I really can't say myself one way or the other because I don't have any tested data, but the builder I talked with yesterday claims the Dana 36 will work fine up to 400hp. Additionally, I don't really have any plans to put sticky drag slicks on the car and launch it hard from the street. I also probably am dreaming about 375 RWHP. How many basic street & strip cars blow Dana 36? This is the kind of information I'm looking for it that is truly the case. But I do require hard data, as I think that we often overkill so much around here. I know that most guys that are racing on a frequent basis will swap a D44 for the D36 for a stouter rear. I have chosen to take my chances and save some money and additional work. Perhaps I'll blow the rear and have to install a D44 anyway, but I'll be able to see what it will take.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
You don't have to agree. My initial question is what are the part nos. I'll need for the swap and if anyone had input about the specific swap that I'm planning. I knew that people would say to use the D44, because that is the typical answer. I understand that the 44 is a HD unit but from real world information I have been given, the D36 will work fine for most applications. True? or not?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
You don't have to agree. My initial question is what are the part nos. I'll need for the swap and if anyone had input about the specific swap that I'm planning. I knew that people would say to use the D44, because that is the typical answer. I understand that the 44 is a HD unit but from real world information I have been given, the D36 will work fine for most applications. True? or not?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
No That is why GM put D44's in LT4's which has WAY less than 375 RWHP. ( 100 RWHP less ) My comment was based on YOUR senario not MOST applications. The reason people go with D44's on big HP applications is from "real life" broken rear ends. That's why it IS conventional wisdom. That is also the "proof" you are asking for.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 531
From: Glenbeulah Wi
My opinion is the Dana 36 will hold up fine with 375 HP and street tires. The tires will spin before you can put enough torque through them to break the Dana 36. I ran my Dana 36 with 342 RWHP and 380 RWTQ with sticky tires at the strip at least 50 times and it never broke. At that time I was running low 1.7 60 ft times and low 12's in the 1/4.
I did switch to a Dana 44 but the Dana 36 was still going strong.
I did switch to a Dana 44 but the Dana 36 was still going strong.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 2
From: Lengede
My opinion is the Dana 36 will hold up fine with 375 HP and street tires. The tires will spin before you can put enough torque through them to break the Dana 36. I ran my Dana 36 with 342 RWHP and 380 RWTQ with sticky tires at the strip at least 50 times and it never broke. At that time I was running low 1.7 60 ft times and low 12's in the 1/4.
I did switch to a Dana 44 but the Dana 36 was still going strong.
I did switch to a Dana 44 but the Dana 36 was still going strong.
Look at my sig. My D36 with 3.54 gears is still working well. I will be switching to a D44 (4.10 gears) over the winter though, but only because I will be changing to a bigger cam.
Arnold