Rear End Decision Help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Rear End Decision Help
Well, those clicking noises from the rear turned into clunking noises and after replacing the wheel bearings and U-joints the problem was not solved. On the way home from the post workshop, the problem was revealed. The rear end came apart. The case is still good, but everything inside is probably destroyed.
Here's my question. I have found 3 companies that offer gears for the dana 36, precision gear, richmond gear and strange engineering. Are there any others that offer good gears for the dana 36? Which do you guys recommend? I would like something considerably stronger than stock.
Also, I have only found 1 company that offers a posi unit for the car, Trac Lock. It is supposed to be a clutch type differential. What other units are out there and which do you guys like. I need something pretty strong, but I don't want to swap out the entire rear end.
Thank you
Chris
Here's my question. I have found 3 companies that offer gears for the dana 36, precision gear, richmond gear and strange engineering. Are there any others that offer good gears for the dana 36? Which do you guys recommend? I would like something considerably stronger than stock.
Also, I have only found 1 company that offers a posi unit for the car, Trac Lock. It is supposed to be a clutch type differential. What other units are out there and which do you guys like. I need something pretty strong, but I don't want to swap out the entire rear end.
Thank you
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
Chris,
I may be able to help you here. There is no real difference between any of the gear manufactures. Of course everyone will tell you there is because whatever they have is the best and if they don't have anything at all then how do they know. I build these rears and have used all of the gears and they all are about the same. As far as the carrier unit, the Trac loc is just a stock D36 unit they are selling you. I have never seen any company make HD parts for a D36, unless they are making the Jeep D35 fit the Corvette's D36. If you have never built a Dana rear before, don't start now, there is nothing easy about it. Just call any Corvette Vendor, Zip, Ecklers, Corvette Central or Mid America and get one from them. Do not buy one from Vette Parts and I can't remember his other name. He is out of some Beach Florida and he is a crook. All of these other companies know what there doing in building these rears and that way you get something that will work and you won't have to worry about it.
I may be able to help you here. There is no real difference between any of the gear manufactures. Of course everyone will tell you there is because whatever they have is the best and if they don't have anything at all then how do they know. I build these rears and have used all of the gears and they all are about the same. As far as the carrier unit, the Trac loc is just a stock D36 unit they are selling you. I have never seen any company make HD parts for a D36, unless they are making the Jeep D35 fit the Corvette's D36. If you have never built a Dana rear before, don't start now, there is nothing easy about it. Just call any Corvette Vendor, Zip, Ecklers, Corvette Central or Mid America and get one from them. Do not buy one from Vette Parts and I can't remember his other name. He is out of some Beach Florida and he is a crook. All of these other companies know what there doing in building these rears and that way you get something that will work and you won't have to worry about it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul MN
Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
Why don't you want to switch over to a Dana 44? You need to take your rear end out now anyway. Why not switch now since you will have it all apart? I can't see spending money to fix a Dana 36. Converting to a Dana 44 is very easy. I did it and I am a dope. I would spend the extra money and do it right. That way you are ready for further engine mods later too!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Rear End Decision Help (Bob86ZZ4)
Shipping an entire rear out here is not too feasible. I think it is beyond the weight limits allowed to be shipped to an APO, or overseas serviceman, address. I'll check into it but I don't know if it will be possible. As far as not doing the work myself, that's not possible either. There isn't a shop on Okinawa that will touch the car. My hands are kind of tied here.
How much does a whole rear end weigh? What goes into replacing it with a dana 44? Where can I get a dana 44? Also, I want lower gears, so I don't really want to go with a stock replacement from some of the companies you guys mentioned.
Chris
How much does a whole rear end weigh? What goes into replacing it with a dana 44? Where can I get a dana 44? Also, I want lower gears, so I don't really want to go with a stock replacement from some of the companies you guys mentioned.
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
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Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
Also, I want lower gears, so I don't really want to go with a stock replacement from some of the companies you guys mentioned.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
The 3.54 is perfect for an L98. However you should be able to get it shipped to oki. They weigh in at about 50 lbs or so. If I were you I would just look for a used D44 and ship it to someone you know who can send it to you in oki. The D44 bolts right in assuming you buy a D44 rear cover also. That is what I would do.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: Rear End Decision Help (snaketr)
Chris,
I just went one step further for you. I just called a buddy of mine who is also in the Corvette business. He will sell you a D44 with the 3.45 gear and rear cover for $1250. That is cheap for 44 and cover. He can also send it to OKI through UPS or APO. His number is 757-340-7118 his name is Tom and he is with Vette Masters in Va Beach, Va.
Justin
I just went one step further for you. I just called a buddy of mine who is also in the Corvette business. He will sell you a D44 with the 3.45 gear and rear cover for $1250. That is cheap for 44 and cover. He can also send it to OKI through UPS or APO. His number is 757-340-7118 his name is Tom and he is with Vette Masters in Va Beach, Va.
Justin
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rear End Decision Help (snaketr)
I agree, you can get a used Dana 44, probably 3.45 gear set, with the diff carrier (bat wings) from one of the vette recyclers: J&D corvettes, Davies corvettes, Michigan corvette recyclers, Gulf Coast corvettes, I'm sure there are more. Then have a shop here in the states that is reputable go thru it, than ship it to you. Bolt it all up (modify old "Torgue Bar") and away you go ! ! ! :cheers:
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Rear End Decision Help (snaketr)
Thanks for all the help, guys. I have a friend that has a complete d36 from a 95 vette. It has 3.73 gears in it already and lived in a 400 hp weekend autocross/drag car. Depending on the what he wants for it, I'll either grab that or call your friend and snag the d44 in Va Beach.
Thanks for the help.
Chris
Thanks for the help.
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
I just thought I'd let you know, I recently purchased a Dana 44, complete, 3.45 gear set, for $850 . . . . . . . It was used, but after I had it modified to a 4.10 gear set, and installed new bearings, etc, the total bill came out to under $1,500 . . . . . :confused: :cool: :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul MN
Re: Rear End Decision Help (edsalinas)
Did that include the shorter torque arm and rear cover (sometimes called the carrier or "bat wing")? If it did you got a very good deal. If it didn't you got a fair deal.
One other thing, I had 3.73 gears on my stock engine and liked them. Then I built up the present engine and hated the 3.73's. Way worthless 1st gear with a lot of power in your engine. I like my 3.07's now much better.
[Modified by Bob86ZZ4, 10:23 PM 7/2/2002]
One other thing, I had 3.73 gears on my stock engine and liked them. Then I built up the present engine and hated the 3.73's. Way worthless 1st gear with a lot of power in your engine. I like my 3.07's now much better.
[Modified by Bob86ZZ4, 10:23 PM 7/2/2002]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Rear End Decision Help (Bob86ZZ4)
My motor is stock, only the host of free mods, cat back and a small handful of stuff, so the 3.73 should work well. I am stuck in Japan for the next year, so the motor will remain stock, except for minor bolt ons until I get back. I don't want to tear apart the motor, get over my head and not be able to get it back together the way it should be. There's no machine shops out here, so, with a 92k mile old motor, it's just not worth tearing it apart to put performance parts in it without a rebuild. I can always swap in lesser gears or a d44 when I get back to the states and really start to play with the car. Thanks for the advice, guys.
Out of curiousity, what kind of time gains did you guys run with very mild L98's with 3.73's? I don't have access to a track out here, so I have no idea what I'm running now. It's been a year since I've driven my 97 trans am, so I can't really compare it to that.
Thanks
Chris
Out of curiousity, what kind of time gains did you guys run with very mild L98's with 3.73's? I don't have access to a track out here, so I have no idea what I'm running now. It's been a year since I've driven my 97 trans am, so I can't really compare it to that.
Thanks
Chris
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 662
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From: Denver CO
Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
Snaketr,
This is the best statement I have heard in a while... ". Do not buy one from Vette Parts and I can't remember his other name. He is out of some Beach Florida and he is a crook. " This putz tried to screw me for a cool $1252.56, so I hope he dies from syphillus.
Anywho, the 3.73s will be too much for a down low motor like the L98. 3.42s would be the highest numerically I would go. 3.07s are the "best of both worlds" gear. Right now is the optimal time to buy a Dana 44. You are not saving a dime by fixing what you have, because it will break again, especially with a deeper gear that turns the unit at a higher rate. For a super quick fix I would buy a used Dana 36 for ~200 and hump it till the car is back in the states. Just my $.02.
Good luck with the car,
Robert
[Modified by Bob Mosaic, 1:20 AM 7/3/2002]
This is the best statement I have heard in a while... ". Do not buy one from Vette Parts and I can't remember his other name. He is out of some Beach Florida and he is a crook. " This putz tried to screw me for a cool $1252.56, so I hope he dies from syphillus.
Anywho, the 3.73s will be too much for a down low motor like the L98. 3.42s would be the highest numerically I would go. 3.07s are the "best of both worlds" gear. Right now is the optimal time to buy a Dana 44. You are not saving a dime by fixing what you have, because it will break again, especially with a deeper gear that turns the unit at a higher rate. For a super quick fix I would buy a used Dana 36 for ~200 and hump it till the car is back in the states. Just my $.02.
Good luck with the car,
Robert
[Modified by Bob Mosaic, 1:20 AM 7/3/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Out by the bridge again, TampaBay
Re: Rear End Decision Help (okinawa86vette)
Either get the D36 center w/3.07 used or spend ~$1000-1250 for a complete D44 w/3.45or 3.33, torque tube, and c-beam. 3.73 is too much gear for a mostly stock L98. :chevy