relocating batwing mounts over 1 inch
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
i may just bite the bullet and straight axle it, i can address all the issues at one time then , yes i know it will be more involved , but i wont be so limited in what i can do , i was planning to replace the dana 36 with a 44 in the future , but even that can be a crap shoot in reliability . thanks everyone for the input, i'm just going to let it ride till i can go to the next stage . thanks again .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 31
From: Orange Park Florida
spindle question
Hey Fellows, after reading the replys to this thread.. and I do say you guys sure know this stuff. Is it safe too assume that if I replace the rear spindles on my 1987 corvette with a set of 1988-1996 spindles I would be able to use my 11x17 wide rear rims with out using any spacers?? or is there other things that I would have to change?? thanks, gary
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 3
no , thats pretty much it. i have the wheels, rear axle , a shop that can do the work but didnt want to go that direction yet, but its looking like it would be easier in the long run .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 31
From: Orange Park Florida
Thanks
well if all I have to do is change the spindles.. I will be looking for a set of 1988-1996 rear spindles.. does anyone here have a set they would be willing to sell?? thanks, gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
That's a ton of time and money spent to ruin a perfectly good IRS, just to run a particular set of wheels. Whether it's worth it is all in the eye of the beholder, of course. But damn, I'd just spend some money on the flares or buy some wheels with the offset you need (probably 50mm, like I run). Go crazy and get a whole set of 18x11s and run a square setup. People will compliment your car!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
In post #14, WVZR-1 notes that this spindle swap may not be a plug-n-play procedure. And from the little scanning of the big doggie mod that I did, there is machining involved.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 3
That's a ton of time and money spent to ruin a perfectly good IRS, just to run a particular set of wheels. Whether it's worth it is all in the eye of the beholder, of course. But damn, I'd just spend some money on the flares or buy some wheels with the offset you need (probably 50mm, like I run). Go crazy and get a whole set of 18x11s and run a square setup. People will compliment your car!
the wheels aren't available in aftermarket that i want, yes it would be easier to concede and buy a wheel that would fit, but i want a particular wheel which i found and got a smoking deal on , 500 hp and nos doesn't work well or long in front of a d36, in the end i will be using a solid rear axle, i can set the distance etc when putting the in the axle assy , brackets are easy , trans cross-member is easy , in the end i have exactly what i want a quick reliable rock solid c4 corvette. it all cost money in the end, its just how much and where you spend it .
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 406
Likes: 7
From: Ellicott City Md
the wheels aren't available in aftermarket that i want, yes it would be easier to concede and buy a wheel that would fit, but i want a particular wheel which i found and got a smoking deal on , 500 hp and nos doesn't work well or long in front of a d36, in the end i will be using a solid rear axle, i can set the distance etc when putting the in the axle assy , brackets are easy , trans cross-member is easy , in the end i have exactly what i want a quick reliable rock solid c4 corvette. it all cost money in the end, its just how much and where you spend it .
If I ever do it again I will get wheels to fit the car and not make the car fit the wheels....
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Anyways, you can only see one side of the car at a time....
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
I have seen this in an old thread a long time ago on the forum here. A member purchased a car that had been curbed on one rear wheel and when the parts were bent, replacement early parts were used and it caused the side to be much more inboard. Just thought id mention that it might be worth looking into before moving things over and/or adding spacers.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
I also have an 87 C4 that has the rear end offset to the drivers side. No frame damage and no apparent trailing arm or other damage. The driveshaft runs very close to the tunnel at the rear but the Engine/trans are centered up front. The car drives straight , no pulling or wonky issues with driving. Could this be the body issue that someone mentioned? Oh, and the wheels are centered in the wheel wells, not canted at all. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,581
Likes: 965
From: Communist Colorado
I just put +36 mm ZR-1 repros on my 86. It accentuated the offset to the driver side... I just had it aligned and camber is set at 0. It makes the offset more noticeable for sure, but I dont care. Car drives perfectly down the road....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 608
From: Minneapolis Mn
If they are different, wouldn't it require either a longer half shaft or spindle to compensate for that increase in length?
Last edited by hcbph; Dec 7, 2017 at 06:42 PM.