96 dana diff. series 2 or 3?
Is there a good document I can use for r&r? I think I will pull it and deliver to a shop and re-install.
Opinions of been discussed to exhaustion about 36 vs 44 and rations.. thats not what Im looking for here, respectfully. I just need to make sure I order the right parts.
I guess I should order a rebuild kit as well?
Yes best to get a rebuild kit with all bearings, seals, and shims (if needed).
You will spend more money going this route than finding a used 44 with that ratio in it.
Last edited by KyleF; Dec 18, 2019 at 10:46 AM.
Last edited by barchetta1; Dec 18, 2019 at 11:55 AM.





What ratio are you wanting to go to ? Once it is all said and done, and depending on your end HP/Torque destination, you could always get a diff from Zip and have them fit it for their enhanced batwing that has the support blocks for the bearing blocks. Makes it like a baby 44.
What ratio are you wanting to go to ? Once it is all said and done, and depending on your end HP/Torque destination, you could always get a diff from Zip and have them fit it for their enhanced batwing that has the support blocks for the bearing blocks. Makes it like a baby 44.
zip has nothing in stock and I have no ship pallet to ship them mine first.
D44 will require m6 driveshaft ( shorter) & c beam. A4 c beam can be modified by drilling new holes on transmission end. A4 yoke needs to be installed on M6 tube.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Don't fear the Gear, your LT1 will have no issues running between 2000-2500 RPMs
You will love the added torque multiplication though when you put your foot down.
Don't fear the Gear, your LT1 will have no issues running between 2000-2500 RPMs
You will love the added torque multiplication though when you put your foot down.
seems like a huge jump. I'll write him and see if he has the c member and the driveshaft.. who knows, maybe it will fall together. A ratio that high has to be aftermarket yes?
Last edited by barchetta1; Dec 23, 2019 at 12:20 PM.
I was on the fence with my Mustang because it was a DD. 3.73 or 4.11. Thought, split the difference and do 3.90. The guy who installed mine (yup certainly couldn't afford the tools to do it right at that time) gave me those words and the answer was no. Just about everyone I have ever known that has changed their rear gear has been very happy, and most say they would have went a step lower.
Without a donor car it will get a bit more expensive to go D44, but a 3.73 is far from a drag race gear. It's often considered the optimal street gear. With a OD, 3.73 won't be bad and you would find the car much happier to cruise in OD.
On the Mustang, it had a 3.55 factory. When I went 4.11 I actually got better gas mileage on average. My daily commute was mainly 45-55mph zone and after the 4.11 it was all 5th gear territory.
Lots of things to consider. Do what's best for you, but a 3.73 won't be like driving a race car or only for race car starts.
I changed the gear in my Mustang, IROC, Z28 and Viper. Don't regret any of them and always opted for the lowest gear (highest numerically) I was considering. Never regretted it. It really shows up in the 20-80mph range.
Last edited by KyleF; Dec 24, 2019 at 02:02 PM.
I was on the fence with my Mustang because it was a DD. 3.73 or 4.11. Thought, split the difference and do 3.90. The guy who installed mine (yup certainly couldn't afford the tools to do it right at that time) gave me those words and the answer was no. Just about everyone I have ever known that has changed their rear gear has been very happy, and most say they would have went a step lower.
Without a donor car it will get a bit more expensive to go D44, but a 3.73 is far from a drag race gear. It's often considered the optimal street gear. With a OD, 3.73 won't be bad and you would find the car much happier to cruise in OD.
On the Mustang, it had a 3.55 factory. When I went 4.11 I actually got better gas mileage on average. My daily commute was mainly 45-55mph zone and after the 4.11 it was all 5th gear territory.
Lots of things to consider. Do what's best for you, but a 3.73 won't be like driving a race car or only for race car starts.
I changed the gear in my Mustang, IROC, Z28 and Viper. Don't regret any of them and always opted for the lowest gear (highest numerically) I was considering. Never regretted it. It really shows up in the 20-80mph range.
I dont have the right tools nor space to set mine up myself or I would. I have no issue setting up gears even for the 1st time.. Its amazing what a person can do when they are careful and do their homework..
I dont think I will find a dana 36 3.73 so may just yank it and do a total rebuild.. I really dont think my automatic car is gonna hurt a 36.. Ive never heard of one doing so anyway..
thanks again and Merry Christmas.
One concern is that 1st gear is going to be nearly useless. I can bump up the shift point some but still.. 2-3 is if I understand going to in a way be closer together which is desperately needed. Again I can pump up the shift point at 1/2 throttle on up.. 3rd should be killer no matter what gear and 4th is an issue only on a road trip. Which up to now I dont do.. I more or less go out for an hour or two drive now and then on a sunny day.
Would be fun to get next to a modern camaro with like a 3.73... just to see what could be done

All of the mods Id like to do are not engine.. Id REALLY love to use some sonax parts on my 4l60e.. I REALLY want to do their HD 2-3 valve.. Im a road racer (or used to be anyway) and I hate that in D there is no engine braking.. it makes it VERY difficult to navigate a corner using the throttle for controlling. Essentially throttle steering. As soon as you lift the damn thing goes free wheeling and you have to wait for the TC to spool up again.. its in a way quite dangerous actually. It would be easy for an inexperienced soul to add too much throttle and be surprised when the TC hooks back up.











