How much HP does a Dana44 handle?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
How much HP does a Dana44 handle?
Hi guys/gals,
I'm new here. I have a hot rod project if you have not guessed from my ID. It consists of a 56 Chevy suspended by a 93 C4. When all is said and done I hope to have 600hp out of a SBC. Will I have to change anything in my D44? It has 3.07 gears. I want to use a 4L80E. I don't think I will use a Gear Vendors unit. Will the D44 hold up? Will I have to change the half shafts?
Thanks for your help,
Mal
I'm new here. I have a hot rod project if you have not guessed from my ID. It consists of a 56 Chevy suspended by a 93 C4. When all is said and done I hope to have 600hp out of a SBC. Will I have to change anything in my D44? It has 3.07 gears. I want to use a 4L80E. I don't think I will use a Gear Vendors unit. Will the D44 hold up? Will I have to change the half shafts?
Thanks for your help,
Mal
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
It can handle the power, but it will depend on what tires you run. The stickier the grip, the more halfshafts, ujoints, and spindles you'll be changing. :) And if THOSE don't break then the 44 might. :cheers:
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: (scorp508)
Thanks Scorp :thumbs:
I don't plan to drag race. It will be a street driven show car. Will mainly use 11" wide street tires. May take it to a Fri. night test/tune just to see what it will do. So from what you tell me I should be fine.
Mal
I don't plan to drag race. It will be a street driven show car. Will mainly use 11" wide street tires. May take it to a Fri. night test/tune just to see what it will do. So from what you tell me I should be fine.
Mal
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: (56ChevyBusinessClass)
So from what you tell me I should be fine.
There are some seriously powered cars around using the Dana 44. They buy stock in aluminum halfshafts (or buy carbon fiber or steel ones), but the 44 for the most part seems to stay in one piece. Keep in mind that the Viper uses a Dana 44 also. If anyone else feels differently I hope they jump in and cut me down. :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (56ChevyBusinessClass)
I ripped the spider gears out of mine this past weekend at the track. Dyno numbers in sig. I am going to have the next set cryo treated to see if they will hold up. I am running a twin disk clutch and it tends to find the weak link. I believe that autos are much easier on the rear.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (56ChevyBusinessClass)
I am going by memory, very dangerous, and I think it is rated 450 ft-lbs of torque.
I am pretty sure rear ends are rated by torque not horsepower.
I think I have seen this number in a couple of places including the GM service manual for my 96 vette.
I am pretty sure rear ends are rated by torque not horsepower.
I think I have seen this number in a couple of places including the GM service manual for my 96 vette.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (LT4BUD)
It will be fine. All of the ones I have known that brake were people running sticks, big power, lot of drag racing with ET Streets or full slicks, and using a Dual Disk McCleod. So if you include Chad above, there are three that have broken the spider gears using a McCleod that I know off the top of my head. Using a 4L80E with a D44 you should be able to do what you want with it without a care in the world though IMO.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3
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From: Las Vegas NV
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (FoolCrzy)
Ron,
I bought the D44 out of a manual 93. i plan to hook it to a 4L80E and a mdified LS1. Possibly supercharged. All that horsepower is unnecessary I know for the street, but I plan to drive it to shows and special family outings, so the power is mainly for shows.
you guys have been a great help. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the final result.
Mal :flag
I bought the D44 out of a manual 93. i plan to hook it to a 4L80E and a mdified LS1. Possibly supercharged. All that horsepower is unnecessary I know for the street, but I plan to drive it to shows and special family outings, so the power is mainly for shows.
you guys have been a great help. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the final result.
Mal :flag
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (Vette92)
[QUOTE]It will be fine. All of the ones I have known that brake were people running sticks, big power, lot of drag racing with ET Streets or full slicks, and using a Dual Disk McCleod.
:iagree: Plan to go this route but stay with the BFG DR's and keep the launch under 3000 RPM's. The guy blowing out his rear on the dyno has me wondering though.
The 450LBS does make sense. It seems when you cross the 380 ft-lb/RPM line(RWTQ) at launch, the trouble begins for six speeds. In a 396 stroker that is around 2800-3200 RPM's. Even though the H/C Z06's with the Mcleod Dual disk and slicks are dumping the clutch at 4000 RPM's with no problems, they still are under 380 ft lbs.
Anything can happen though.
[Modified by Red Rocket, 3:25 PM 3/28/2003]
[Modified by Red Rocket, 3:27 PM 3/28/2003]
:iagree: Plan to go this route but stay with the BFG DR's and keep the launch under 3000 RPM's. The guy blowing out his rear on the dyno has me wondering though.
The 450LBS does make sense. It seems when you cross the 380 ft-lb/RPM line(RWTQ) at launch, the trouble begins for six speeds. In a 396 stroker that is around 2800-3200 RPM's. Even though the H/C Z06's with the Mcleod Dual disk and slicks are dumping the clutch at 4000 RPM's with no problems, they still are under 380 ft lbs.
Anything can happen though.
[Modified by Red Rocket, 3:25 PM 3/28/2003]
[Modified by Red Rocket, 3:27 PM 3/28/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (Red Rocket)
Even though the H/C Z06's with the Mcleod Dual disk and slicks are dumping the clutch at 4000 RPM's with no problems, they still are under 380 ft lbs.
A friend back in Texas was sidestepping the clutch off the line on spray, making 599 lb-ft at the wheels on DRs. He broke spindles, output shaft yokes (4+3 output shaft yoke is small), and U-joints (until he replaced them all with BruteForce joints), but never hurt the diff itself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
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From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (CorvetteZ51Racer)
U-joints (until he replaced them all with BruteForce joints),
Chris
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (Vette92)
I ran the nuts off my D36 with no problems with slicks etc. Never missed a beat. Short times were 1.7s with the d36. I recently swapped to a d44 with the new engine.
I think the higer the gearing you stay with the safer you are. The teeth are fewer on the ring with higher gears like 3.07s, and less with lower gearing 3.73 etc. The lower gears seem to be weaker. iF your gonna have 600hp, there is no need to go any higher than 3.07s. :cheers:
I think the higer the gearing you stay with the safer you are. The teeth are fewer on the ring with higher gears like 3.07s, and less with lower gearing 3.73 etc. The lower gears seem to be weaker. iF your gonna have 600hp, there is no need to go any higher than 3.07s. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: How much HP does a Dana44 handle? (56ChevyBusinessClass)
Malcolm, the guys breaking 44s are running with slicks and 4.10 gears. With 3.07s and street tires, I'd bet (Vegas :lol: ) your rear will have a long and healthy life. :cheers:
