C3 vs C4 rearend differences???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 37
From: The Woodlands Texas
C3 vs C4 rearend differences???
I got a question about my car (bought it 1 year ago). Bare with me because I'm no corvette expert...1 year rookie.
I've got a 64 convertible..resto-mod. 418 HP ZZ4 EFI engine, with a level 3 Gear Star 4L60 trany, and a 82 vette aluminum rearend. Front suspension has the VBP performance Plus package, and on the back I have their dual mount mono-spring. Shocks are Koni Classic gas adustables on front and Delco gas on back.
So here's my question.....
> Is there a big difference between my 82 rearend/suspension and a C4? Visibly, they look similar.
My car was done 14 years ago. Today, a C2 resto mod would normally have C4 (or some with C5) suspension with an aftermarket frame. I've got somewhat of an hybrid. I'm really trying to understand what I've got.
Thanks, Chris
I've got a 64 convertible..resto-mod. 418 HP ZZ4 EFI engine, with a level 3 Gear Star 4L60 trany, and a 82 vette aluminum rearend. Front suspension has the VBP performance Plus package, and on the back I have their dual mount mono-spring. Shocks are Koni Classic gas adustables on front and Delco gas on back.
So here's my question.....
> Is there a big difference between my 82 rearend/suspension and a C4? Visibly, they look similar.
My car was done 14 years ago. Today, a C2 resto mod would normally have C4 (or some with C5) suspension with an aftermarket frame. I've got somewhat of an hybrid. I'm really trying to understand what I've got.
Thanks, Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
girls look like boys ??
nothing is the same c3 vs c4...your 82 third member is a 63 rear with some alum pieces substituted, c4 gears came from the same supplier but all else was new ideas...look closer and take a few measurements ( "yardstick" accuracy will suffice ), you'll walk away mumbling "not even close"
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 37
From: The Woodlands Texas
Eastcoast...thanks for the comments on my car, and to the others for the tech lessons.
My car rides good and handles great. I'm trying to improve the ridability as we speak. A little bouncy, but I have made some improvements.
Here's some pics
My car rides good and handles great. I'm trying to improve the ridability as we speak. A little bouncy, but I have made some improvements.
Here's some pics
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
nice ride
[QUOTE=CWerner;1568475647]
trying to improve the ridability as we speak. A little bouncy, but I have made some improvements.
[/QUOTE
trash the rear delcos and put on konis...set 'em in the softest position...will handle AND ride a bunch better (found this back/day when road racing/street driving mid-years)...btw, looks like you're very "in the range", the mid-year roadster with its windshield still on will get "light" in the back at speeds over 120 mph, downright "squirrelly" at 140, need a wide track and minimal crosswind to play
trying to improve the ridability as we speak. A little bouncy, but I have made some improvements.
[/QUOTE
trash the rear delcos and put on konis...set 'em in the softest position...will handle AND ride a bunch better (found this back/day when road racing/street driving mid-years)...btw, looks like you're very "in the range", the mid-year roadster with its windshield still on will get "light" in the back at speeds over 120 mph, downright "squirrelly" at 140, need a wide track and minimal crosswind to play
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 2
From: Burton Texas
[QUOTE=redrose;1568475536]nothing is the same c3 vs c4...your 82 third member is a 63 rear with some alum pieces substituted,
BS.
The 80 - 82 rear ends had Dana internals. Like the 84-96, the model Dana differed depending on whether it came with a manual or automatic trans. The 80-81 manuals had Dana 44's, same as the manual 84-96.
The 63 (only) rear end had Eaton internals.
BS.
The 80 - 82 rear ends had Dana internals. Like the 84-96, the model Dana differed depending on whether it came with a manual or automatic trans. The 80-81 manuals had Dana 44's, same as the manual 84-96.
The 63 (only) rear end had Eaton internals.
Last edited by l1sikes; Jan 8, 2009 at 01:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Correct but it is a different D44 to the C4 ones as noted by Redrose.
If you look at any gearset listings
80-82 is listed as D44ICA
84-96 LISTED as D44HD
Yours has 26 spline D44 pinion ,
C4 has 30 spline D60 style pinion
If you look at any gearset listings
80-82 is listed as D44ICA
84-96 LISTED as D44HD
Yours has 26 spline D44 pinion ,
C4 has 30 spline D60 style pinion
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 37
From: The Woodlands Texas
Okay....my conclusion is that my 82 rearend is an improvement over the stock C2. How much is debatable, but it is better.
Doesn't come close to comparing with the C4, though. I clearly got that in the pics.
Doesn't come close to comparing with the C4, though. I clearly got that in the pics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
IMHO, change from the c3 to a c4 rear is not warranted...the c4 FRONT suspension, however, is a substantial jump from the "58 bel-aire" front suspension that carried over to mids/c3's, and would be of interest.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,845
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
If you really want to improve the suspension, Guldstrand has the solution.
http://www.guldstrand.com/scripts/pr...?idproduct=138
If it looks like a C4 suspension, there's a reason.
GM stole the idea from him.
Guldstrand's was out 1st, and GM copied it.
http://www.guldstrand.com/scripts/pr...?idproduct=138
If it looks like a C4 suspension, there's a reason.
GM stole the idea from him.
Guldstrand's was out 1st, and GM copied it.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Troy Ohio
If you enjoy handling more than cruising then you will not believe the difference that a 5 link will make. I raced c3's in the 70's and 80's and
after driving a trailing link car 10-10ths you soon learn how poorly this thing was designed! The torque forces are fed through the suspension which is why the car squats when you put it in gear and under acceleration. Toe control by todays standards is nonexistant, that's why you experience trailing throttle oversteer when you lift off the throttle in a corner. I was so fascinated by the 5 link in the Greenwood cars I designed my own and installed it in my 80 street/track car. The transformation is trully unbeliveable. Too bad a mid 70s Bob Riley design took 10 years to make it to the street. If all you want is a nice ride than it would be a waste of time and money. Hope this helps a little and I really like your mid year
after driving a trailing link car 10-10ths you soon learn how poorly this thing was designed! The torque forces are fed through the suspension which is why the car squats when you put it in gear and under acceleration. Toe control by todays standards is nonexistant, that's why you experience trailing throttle oversteer when you lift off the throttle in a corner. I was so fascinated by the 5 link in the Greenwood cars I designed my own and installed it in my 80 street/track car. The transformation is trully unbeliveable. Too bad a mid 70s Bob Riley design took 10 years to make it to the street. If all you want is a nice ride than it would be a waste of time and money. Hope this helps a little and I really like your mid year
