dana 44 or dana 60 rear in a BIG BLOCK VETTE!

grumpyvette

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
I ran and still (at least temporarily)run a DANA 36 in my 1985 vette with a 383 that makes about 475 flywheel hp BEFORE I hit the nitrous....if I don,t use slicks and only street tires the traction (or lack of it) acts like a fuze that tends to prevent the full torque loads from impacting the rear suspension, but I don,t do hard launches either, I baby the car off the line and play catch-up in the mid and far track, the few times Ive run slicks Ive twisted off u-joints and half shafts rather quickly and Im sure the rear is marginal,but the dana 36 has held up so far, but even the dana 44 is MARGINAL (but obviously better) in my opinion.
In my big block 1968 vette I destroyed the stock rear the first time I used slicks, I installed a custom fitted dana 60 live axle and tubbed the rear, adding a 4 link suspension on that car, it cost me a small fortune but with a 13.7:1 cpr 496 BBC I didn,t really have a choice.
Im on a pension so moneys darn tight but eventually Ill install a similar engine and a 4L80E trans in my 1985 vette and a similar rear suspension

you might find HOOVERS MODS INTERESTING

http://www.myphotosonline.biz/albums/ph ... FInstalled

http://www.strangeengineering.net/websi ... stallation

but keep in mind hes using a ford 9" which is lighter in weight and lower in strength than a dana 60
ImageScaler


the dodge viper uses a dana 44 with its v10, so its obvious its can be built to handle abuse,
if your willing to dump a pile of money into, the parts and machining and heat treating you can build a nice solid dana 44 but once you start looking at the cost vs strength , it becomes rather obvious that theres other routes you can look into, if your car is used mostly for drag racing and street use where a standard live rear axle will work, as an option.
all you need to do is place a dana 60 rear gears, and axle and differential housing, next to a dana 44 to see its basically a waste of time building a dana 44 if a dana 60 can be used , due to the very obvious differance in component sizesdana 44 /vs dana 60 u-joints (most all the other parts are at a similar ratio in size) example the 10 bolt ring gears 8.5" vs 9.75" for the dana 60
44vs60_ujoint.jpg


DANA 36 vs DANA 44

The C-4 Dana 36 was the only axle available in 1984 Corvettes. In 1985, Chevrolet brought out the Dana 44 which was similar to the 80-82 Corvette axle, but not interchangeable. The Dana 44 axle is considerably stronger, but not indestructible. The Dana 36 and the Dana 44 (44's in some autos and all manuals) axles were used through 1996.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/cc ... to_01.html

The Dana 44 is much larger than the D36. The 44 has a larger, "beefier" carrier/components to handle larger (lower) ring and pinions, and increased torque.

603967 GM 44 REAR 1980 CORVETTE
605172 GM 36 REAR 1984 CORVETTE
605180 GM 36 REAR 1984 CORVETTE
605220 GM 44 REAR 1985-87 CORVETTE
605239 GM 36 REAR 1984-86 CORVETTE
605260 GM 36 REAR 1985-87 CORVETTE
605321 GM 36 REAR 1988-90 CORVETTE
605322 GM 44 REAR 1989 1/2-90 CORVETTE
605365 GM 44 REAR 1988-89 CORVETTE
605417 GM 44 REAR 1990-90 1/2 CORVETTE
605490 GM 36 REAR 1990 1/2-96 1/2 CORVETTE
605491 GM 44 REAR 1990-96 1/2 CORVETTE
605492 GM 44 REAR 1990 1/2 CORVETTE

http://www.mirrockcorvette.com/corvette-parts-guide-wheels.html

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...nk-to-some-c4-corvette-wheel-tech-info.12099/
offsetdiagram2.jpg

Corvette%20wheel%20offset%20chart.jpg

Look at the size difference, especially at the case above the yokes:

2259a.jpg

Dana 36

2259b.jpg

Dana 44

And visit

ikerds.com

Who were kind enough to supply the pics...

another option

http://www.azzatochips.com/C4_Suspensions.html

corvettetorque.jpg

a good visual example of why you might want to upgrade the drive train in a corvette before installing that killer 700 hp plus stroker engine

I had a 1969 camaro with a stock 12 bolt rear that I twisted into scrap behind a 13.7:1 compression 496 big block with crower stack injection, and a tubed rear with slicks, back in the 1970s, I spent what at the time was a huge amount of cash on having it rebuilt with new axles bearings brakes and posi, new gears etc. it lasted about a year, I found a dana 60 with aftermarket axles, gears and bearings for sale locally and purchased it from a guy that had wrecked his hemi cuda, I changed the mount brackets for the springs and drive shaft and raced the car for 5 more years with zero issues and the guy I sold the camaro too had raced it for 20 plus more years without breaking anything.
now as far as I'm concerned thats proof that the dana 60 is a stronger platform than the 12 bolt differential.
http://www.strangeengineering.net/m...rac-lock-35-s-t-axles-leaf-spring-mounts.html
when it came time to put a stronger rear differential in my 1968 corvette I had several far more knowledgeable older friends help me fabricate a 4 link rear suspension and find and modify a similar DANA 60 rear for that car and I raced that with ZERO problems for several years
 
Last edited by a moderator:
hey grumpy is there any companies making new dana 60's or are we just limited to whats already produced? i remember several years ago strange or moser decided they were going to start making brand new bolt in 12 bolt assemblies for alot of gm cars and that got the chevy guys all happy that they didnt have to use the 9 inch anymore for their builds.
 
philly said:
hey grumpy is there any companies making new dana 60's or are we just limited to whats already produced? i remember several years ago strange or moser decided they were going to start making brand new bolt in 12 bolt assemblies for alot of gm cars and that got the chevy guys all happy that they didnt have to use the 9 inch anymore for their builds.
Click to expand...


well after using the search feature a little more creatively i found these

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=4525&p=37599&hilit=dana+60+swap#p37599

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=1282&p=11861&hilit=dana+60+swap#p11861

that pretty much told me more than i thought i ever needed to know about dana 60's! cant believe how much info youve packed into this site grumpy. thanks
 
DSC_1594.jpg

yes its very unfortunate that there's no commonly, available, and reasonably priced, independent rear differential,available to the performance car enthusiasts,with large disc brakes in the compatible width, and easily retro fitted suspension mounts that I'm aware of, in most local salvage yards , similar to the corvette rear suspension, that has the strength of the dana 60 rear differential.
yes there are custom fabricated solutions, if you have a very healthy bank balance , but nothing based on a dana 60-70- or ford 9" or heavier duty independent G.M. differential
http://www.strangeengineering.net/
housingdiagram.jpg

its my understanding that strange engineering will make custom S60 rear differentials
and a read disc brake differential thats basically a DANA 80 desin is FAR stronger than any original corvette rear differential


ok basically a P.I.T.A. due to clearance issues, ...you can drill and tap a drain plug or just use a fluid pump like most guys do too drain and refill the differential.

ALWAYS CAREFULLY VERIFY AND check your service shop manual for the correct lube to use,

http://www.harborfreight.com/gear-oil-and-fluid-pump-61746.html
24159.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-66418.html

16308.jpg


the new stuff is, Dexron LS Gear oil 75w-90 with the friction modifier already added in......not synthetic, but the mechanic said, "this is the stuff that GM is recommending in TSBs for just this issue...."...product number is 1#88862624

the suggestion to just change the differential gear oil, to a good compatable synthetic,almost always reduces friction losses

and perhaps order a magnet to place on the outside surface of the rear differential too trap and hold metallic debris,
that naturally comes off the gear wear surfaces to help reduce the wear,

that fine metallic crap floating around suspended in that differential gear oil could cause thats very easily reduced.

syngr1.jpg

syngr2.jpg

syngr3.jpg


http://www.magnet4less.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_27&products_id=254
 
Last edited by a moderator:
it was back in the 1970s when I owned and raced that big block injected corvette with the 4 link rear and dana 60 differential, I remember the differential originally came from a 1970 hemi Barracuda, I purchased a 4 link suspension kit from some place in California and i had a great deal of far more experienced help , because at the time I didn,t know crap as I was about in my early 20s, I learned a great deal about welding and measuring and using a MILL and LATHE but I was basically CLUELESS about the rear suspension without help at that time,I was basically trusting in several older guys that were my mentors at the time! I remember a great deal of the fiberglass boxes needed too be cut and removed and eventually custom made and replaced and modified for clearance which at the time freaked me out totally when the older guys started hacking up parts of the floor of my 1968 corvette and inner fenders etc. then the fuel tank was pitched in the dumpster and i needed a fuel cell, all the mods cost a good deal more cash than I expected, (THATS ALMOST ALWAYS THE CASE) because a dana 60 rears a good deal larger than a G.M. 10 bolt corvette rear , and the battery box storage behind the seats and fuel tank on a stock 1968 corvette prevent the 4 link install , even after you take out the old independent suspension and modify the rear frame rails and weld in the link pivot bar locations (second picture)
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/cc ... ewall.html
heres some pictures that look vaguely familiar, I wish Id taken measurements and lots of clear pictures at that time
4linkx1.jpg


4linkx2.jpg

4linkzxx.JPG

4linkx3.jpg

4linkx4.jpg
 
I live just 1 hour driving time away from Strange Engineering.
Used thier products & Race Axles for over 20 years.
Zero issues.
8-second Race Cars.
1 1969 BBC RACE CAMARO COMPETED IN THE FASTEST CAR SHOOTOUT NATIONWIDE 4 YEARS STRAIGHT .
SOMETIMES OVER 1000 HP NITROUS SHOTS.
DOUBLE STACKING NITROUS PLATES. CUSTOM DRILLED NITROUS SPRAY BARS.
IT ALSO WON THE BYRON WORLD OUTLAW WHEELIE CONTEST 1ST & 2ND YEAR RUNNING.
Factory Mopar musclecar Dana 60 Narrowed.
Big Tire car.
Tubbed.
Star wars 18-point Chrome moly race cage.
Turbo 400 trans with brake.
5,000 or 5,000rpm stall used.
Redline 8,000-8,500.
Brodix Race Heads.
 
I built the Dana60 in that Race Car.
Strange Race Hy-Tuff Axles. 40-spline.
Aluminum Full race spool.
4.88 gears.
Then switched to 5.14.
DANA 60 NEVER BROKE .
3,200 LB RACE WEIGHT.
Low 9's.
1994-1999 .
 
good stuff... didnt realize you had to hack up the fiberglass to install it like that... i figured you did since you mentioned tubbing the car but just for the install of the control arms thats kinda scary!
 
There are several methods to install a solid axle Phil into a C4 Corvette.
If you Back Half you install New Frame Rails.
Sorta Pro Stock Style.
The other way is to weld the 4-Link forward mounting brackets into place.
Center rear. Tack Weld.
Build your Coil over shocks brackets & upper mounts.
Locating link or diagnonal bar last.
For postive 60' foot time launches install a race anti roll bar kit.
The Transmission mount is the hardest ti figure out on a C4.
Must build a custom crossmember & tie into left & right rear frame rails.
Its never been done at home yet. Solid axle 4-link.
Race chassis ship & $10k spent at least.
Or buy Racecraft or Jesse bolt in.
No Dana 60 option. Let alone Pontiac 9.3 rear.
You get 12-bolt Chevy or 10 bolt with prefabbed bolt in kits.
Jessee had a terrible Rap. Talked to him on the phone.
Wanted $5k right now up front. Wait 1 month....Told him I am using a Pontiac 9.3, what's that ????
Wrong dude. Hung up. Called back 1 month straight day & night.
Ah Fuck You Asshole.....
Grumpy was supposed to be the 1st ever Dana 60 C4 link.
Then I came along. Same wish but with 9.3.
Got married. Had kids. Bought my Farmhouse with wife.
Left my 87 C4 vert together always. Runs & drives.
410sbc built & on stand.
Worthless with Dana 36.
Ni logic sense & instal& blow rear imnediate.
Strange Coil over shocks my wish to buy next.
 
I am sure Grumpy & you Phil have followed my Recent thread on DC C5 TECH.
I clued all in a Dirt Cheap way to install a Dana 60 or Ford 9" or even my 1957-58 Pontiac 9.3 into a C4 &C5 Vette.
Not much fabbing involved either.
Use a pair of Longitudinal Mounted pair of Leaf springs.
Exact as my 1970-1/2 Trans Am is layed out un the rear.
Want to stagger the rear shocks.
Add Comp Engineering Slide A Link Tractuon bars as My old Poncho has too along with Big Mickey Thompson Drag Radials.
Not high tech but will work. Chassis Tuned, Good for Low 9's on Motor launches.
I think only Grumpy caught that.
Front spring eye mounting point key.
Rear shackles just along for the ride.
NHRA SUPER STOCK STYLE.
THEY DO THE IMPOSSIBLE WITH NOTHING.
 
im not on digital corvettes but i get the jist of what you're saying... thats a good inexpensive idea. i need to learn more about chassis technology and suspension geometry before i even begin daydreaming about stuff like this... the opportunity to make something awesome is there, and so is the opportunity to fuck it all up royally
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top