C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old Jul 27, 2017 | 05:35 PM
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Default Differential encyclopedia for C4's

Has anyone ever put together a "Sticky" or comprehensive guide of C4 Rear Differentials? What gears fit in which housings? What Posi Units work in D36's and D44's...same for carriers. Thick gears vs. thin gears?

There seems to be a bit of mystery on this. I'm an "Old School" 12" Posi/Dana 60/Ford 9" kind of guy and since I now have a C4 I want to learn more.

I know that all Automatics came with D36's and Manual shift came with D44's I have heard that there are different carriers/Posi units for D36's and the break is 2:59~2:73/3:08~3:31 (or maybe even 3:42's).

What gears work with which housings/carriers?

What's a good source of factual information on this?
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Old Jul 27, 2017 | 05:41 PM
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I buy a lot of stuff from these guys.

https://www.ringpinion.com/DiffWizard.aspx

Although I haven't done the vette yet, they have a calculator/wizard that works very well for other vehicles.. Maybe you can give them a try?
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Old Jul 29, 2017 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by sprink94

I know that all Automatics came with D36's and Manual shift came with D44's
This is true for 85 to 96 cars. 1984 cars all had Dana 36 diffs, even with the manual transmission.
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Old Jul 31, 2017 | 06:41 PM
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Also the Dana 44 was used in several entirely different vehicles. So you will want to make sure your parts are for the correct application.
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 11:55 AM
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If it came with a 3.07/3.31/etc., its a 3-series case D36. 2.59/2.73/etc. are 2-series cases. You cannot use the 3-series gears from a D44 in the D36, to my recollection, but you can use other 3-series D36 gears in a D36 case.

You can re-gear to any other 2-series gear ratio with nothing other than the change in the ring and pinion. To go to a 3-series gear ratio, from a 2-series case, you can either use a gear set with a thick ring gear or change the differential, posi, internal or ring gear case.
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by sprink94
Has anyone ever put together a "Sticky" or comprehensive guide of C4 Rear Differentials?

What's a good source of factual information on this?
Thanks for bringing this up, sprink94. Being a noob (first post) and trying to walk lightly and not anger the CF gods, I've been lurking and reading voraciously, but have yet to find any definitive or a "this is what you'll need" thread. Odd since usually the first upgrade suggested for a stock car is the rear end gear change, being the best bang for the buck.


I'd like to change my 2.59's to the 3.54's ('96 LT1/auto) and have a shop that would love to do it and is ready, but find conflicting info regarding speedo calibration (gear vs. electronic gadget), custom tuning due to new found higher shift points(?), etc... that all goes along with swapping gearing. I don't want to take the plunge until all the mysteries are solved and I have my ducks lined up.


I understand that many different cars/rear ends are out there so it's tough to put it all in one post or thread.


I'll keep reading......
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 05:12 PM
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In 96 you should be able to reflash pcm to recalibrate speedometer.
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Old Aug 2, 2017 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 2LZ
I'd like to change my 2.59's to the 3.54's ('96 LT1/auto) and have a shop that would love to do it and is ready, but find conflicting info regarding speedo calibration (gear vs. electronic gadget), custom tuning due to new found higher shift points(?), etc... that all goes along with swapping gearing. I don't want to take the plunge until all the mysteries are solved and I have my ducks lined up.


I understand that many different cars/rear ends are out there so it's tough to put it all in one post or thread.


I'll keep reading......
You would just need the PCM reflashed to fix everything on the 96.
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