solid rear axle - with spool question

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Jul 29, 2010 | 11:52 PM

bcollid

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From: St. Louis Missouri

solid rear axle - with spool question

I have some extra money to spend on my 89 corvette which I take to the drag track a few times a month and drive around town once a week or so when I have the time.

I have about 337horse power at the wheels, usually run 106mph and 13.2 in the quarter. Manual transmission and ram clutch. I don't really jump on it very hard out of the gate. or maybe I should say I haven't really figured out how to launch it hard and I don't really want to blow it up. The transmission on back is original with 86,000 miles and rattles like a box a rocks. I have a new ZF6 transmission ready to put in the car. While I am at it I have the desire and money to upgrade the rear end

I went to the racetech website and looked at their solid axle package for C4 corvette. Their package includes a spool rear end.

Is a spool going to limit my ability to drive it around on the street?

I don't think it should be a problem, but thought I would check.

I'd also like to add some mild boost ( turbo or Super) to the engine within the next 12 months.

If I can run a 12.2 to 12.4 and 110mph or so in this car without having it shred parts I think I would be happy

Jul 30, 2010 | 01:19 AM

tpi 421 vette

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From: S.L.C. UT

If you are going to run 12's. I don't think you need a solid axle. I think a D44 would hold up fine. I never started breaking parts until I was in the 10's. But if you are planning ahead, if you go solid axle, a spool isn't that bad. It's bullet proof, and you are making it a dedicated drag car.

Jul 30, 2010 | 08:16 AM

mseven

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From: The Motor City

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcollid

I went to the racetech website and looked at their solid axle package for C4 corvette. Their package includes a spool rear end.

can you post that link

Jul 30, 2010 | 09:17 AM

bcollid

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From: St. Louis Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseven

can you post that link

I meant to say racecraft:
http://www.rodandracecraft.com/products_corvettec4.htm

I thought a read a bunch of posts of guys twisting parts with manual transmissions even in the 12s

I do not plan for this car to ever go faster than 12.2 or 12.4, however, I'm sure if i get to the low 12s I'll trya and get it to 11.9 so there you go.

Is it stupid to get a solid axle and a limited slip diff?

Jul 30, 2010 | 10:21 AM

383vett

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From: moraga ca

As TPI mentioned above, if you are in the 12's or high 11's, you shouldn't really need a solid axle. You might have some occasional rear breakage with the 44, but a solid axle will make your car a dedicated strip car and you would lose all your handling, especially if you run a spool.

Jul 30, 2010 | 01:00 PM

mseven

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From: The Motor City

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcollid

I meant to say racecraft:
http://www.rodandracecraft.com/products_corvettec4.htm I thought a read a bunch of posts of guys twisting parts with manual transmissions even in the 12s
I do not plan for this car to ever go faster than 12.2 or 12.4, however, I'm sure if i get to the low 12s I'll trya and get it to 11.9 so there you go. Is it stupid to get a solid axle and a limited slip diff?

There have been some who have broken parts running 12's-high 11's, and there a few who have run 10's and not break often using a well set-up 44....but it's more of a crap shoot.
IMO, I think a good set-up posi is fine, especilally if the car is street driven. I went fast for years, and so have others with out using a spool (I was using dana 60's). I don't care about handling characteristics...if I wanted that I would have done something different.

Jul 30, 2010 | 06:14 PM

RichS

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From: WilkesBarre PA

I never broke a Dana44 running 12's. Broke a few spiders, wore out clutches mid 11's. Started grenading everything trying to get the 6speed into the 10's. (best was 11.0 with ZF). As long as you keep your 60's around 1.7's it will last. 1.4 to 1.5's all bets are off with the Zf/44.

Auto and 44 I run consistent 1.5's and an occasional high 1.4 60'. But now I have Nitrous Ready Halfshafts, Locker Posi, with everything else Cryo treated.

Jul 30, 2010 | 11:55 PM

Bondami

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From: Southside of Western Norte Americano State of Confusion, ColoFornia

St. Jude '13

I can only guess how a Vette will react with a spool, But based on Jeep experience, You wont like it on the street. Spools are great and cheap but they are no fun if you drive the car much, and they will make it handle darn strange.