I got to thinking about this stuff I've been making for my Z and was wondering if there was any interest in it. If so I'm going to make several sets while I'm at it. check my recent posts and you'll see more about what I'm talking about.

Dana 44 IRS: The brackets I'm making are going to bolt into the car, not be welded in. The dogbones will still require welding the bracket on the car (unless I find another suitable solution) but this would make it nearly a bolt in. I'm making brackets that mount where the factory panhard mount was, and a custom adjustable torque arm that bolts to where the factory tunnel brace is. I'm getting hot on that next week, I've already taken my measurements.

Gen 1 SBC swap for LT1 FI: I made a custom adapter so early smallblocks can be used using LT1 fuel injection not requiring a distributor or DFI. Just to allow for a bigger shortblock. So far so good. It all bolts together. Uses a gen1 pump with spacers. Still requires basic metalworking knowledge for a few small items (like the oil pump drive adapter) but it's easy stuff. Already worked the kinks out on that, now I'm just saving $$$ to finish paying for the heads.

The rest of the stuff I'm doing is just basic things people can do, like swap to TCS, things like that. I have more things that I'm doing but I want to wait to see if it irons out before I get crazy fabbing up stuff.

 

I have always thought the Dana 44 IRS would be interesting for people nore into handling.

 

That's part of the reason I'm doing it. If I can make it a bolt on that would rock for those guys trying to autox and stuff.

 

You may find it does not get the warm reception you are hoping for.
http://frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=5747&

 

I'm using a C4 dana 44. Not a C5 which is a completely different IRS using a transaxle. Since it's stronger and handles better than a solid axle, why not?

I think alot of people dont want to use it because of the work necessary to install. I dont want to permanently change my car so I'm making my brackets bolt in, hopefully without any fab work.

 

What peaks my interest is the SBC1 swap.

 

a well setup SRA w. panhard bar is just as good as an IRS on smooth pavement. I've heard it preached by the best and i've seen it in competition.

 

Dave,
Can you specify what other custom parts your fabbing down the road? Take care

Johnny

 

True, but most roads where Ive been have been less than perfect. That's where the IRS starts to shine over the SRA. I've driven both IRS and SRA rearend cars and there is a night and day difference on uneven or rough pavement.

 

the two are not even CLOSE to comprable when bumps come into play.

I clearly remember racing to school every morning in highschool. Turn nine was the only bumpy one and it was where the C4 would rip past my Z28. If I wasn't ahead by then, I had no chance. The other flat turns were fine. I could make up enough in the straights to beat him through the turns.

turn eight/nine was great. off a long straight, downhill, soft left into eight and then hard right to a banked nine. He didn't have much problem. my solid rear always shot out. Prob be a lot more racing there if it wasn't a school zone.

come to think of it, I cant beleive were still alive. Nothing like going 100+mph on the morning commute to catch a timed light one set earlier, especially when you are in the suburbs of one of the biggest cities in the country


But that was when we were invinceable and knew every road in a 50 mile radius like Gordon knows the brickyard. Im not nearly as smart as I used to be. I used to know it all. Funny how knowlege works backward.

 

That's an interesting statement. I think the rear axles are considered the weak link by most who drag race their C4s. When they are putting out major HP and dedicated to drag racing they go to a solid axle.

 

That's because they're drag racing. When you go in a straight line down smooth pavement it doesn't really matter too much. When you drive corners and go around on uneven pavement, like I said, it makes the difference. I'm not building a drag car so I dont need to 'confine' myself to the use of a SRA.

I've seen the dana 44 cars handle their fair share of junk. Dana 36's are kind of weak though, on prett close to the same level as the 10 bolt. I bet you most of the guys running vettes who drag and choose to use a SRA start off with a dana 36 car.

 

No I'm specifically talking about the 44, since that was what you were referring to. I have a C4 so I know the difference.

Certainly I'd rather have an IRS on my car, and if you're building a street car with near-stock power levels the 44 is fine. Actually, for a street car with near-stock power levels the 36 is fine.

Just pointing out that few C4 owners would agree with the statement that the D44 is stronger than a solid axle.

People drag racing C4s who have a lot of power and don't want a solid axle spend a lot of money on cryo treatment, carbon fiber halfshafts, etc.

 

Conveniently, a new thread discussing D44 failures and possible solutions:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&page=1&pp=20