Da Wiz

As is probably very obvious, I need some eduma-kation on what the differences are between these two carriers. I have a 2.59 gear in my 94, with an automatic xmission. I would like to run a 3.54 gear if possible, based on conversations with autocrossers and reading things on this forum. The car is a daily driver, so I don't plan on going any higher than that.

Can someone either enlighten me on the different carrier and gear combinations, and the reliability considerations? I am going to put my foot in this thing frequently, but it is definitely not just a track car.

Thanks in advance for your help. :cheers:

hngacurv

Summit offers 3.54 gears for the Dana 36 for $320. The Dana 44 is just a lot stronger and can handle more HP/TQ.

Fuzzy Dice

Put simply, the Dana 44 is a much beefier, heavy duty rear end...all the C4's from 1985 to 1996 with a six speed tranny got the 44 while all the auto tranny's got the 36...torque is the killer of the Dana 36...I run 3:73's with a 36 and I drag race regularly...I race on street tires and spin a lot...this spin is what saves my Dana 36...if I put sticky tires out back to stop the spin I would break the lightweight 36 to be sure...I will be changing to a Dana 44 in the near future...good luck

Da Wiz

Thanks Hngacurv. I am assuming I have a Dana 36, but is there a way to identify for sure? I will have it up on stands this week replacing the brake pads and shocks. I would assume the housing is stamped.

Thanks a ton.

I take frequent trips from Florida to N.C. and over to Mississippi. Anyone out there running the taller gears have any input on mileage/rpm at 70-80 mph?

I gotta tell ya, I really want to toast a friend of mine off the line. He has a C5, which will toast my C4, but I want to make him sweat a little. He keeps bustin my chops with comments like "Didn't your car come with a calendar instead of a speedometer?" and stuff like that. Great guy, but I really want to gig him at least once.

:cheers:

Da Wiz

Hey Golfboy1,

You are running an automatic, right? What kind of mileage are you getting on the highway?

Sounds like I need to be searching out a 44. Are you happy with that 3.73 gear? I have no interest in top end, things happen too fast at 150 plus. Accelleration from 0 to 100 floats my boat.

Thanks again. :cheers:

HOWSER

I'm running a 3.75 in the rear of my 93. I get around 22mpg on the highway running 70-80, and around 16-18 in the city (if I stay out of the throttle). That's with all the mods you see in my signature.

I hope this helps.

Eric

Strick

Is this completely accurate? I thought the 6 speed came out in 91. All ZFs got the 44? Ya learn something new everyday. :)

vader86

It would be better to say that all manual trannys from 85-96 got the D44 carrier. ALL 6speeds have it, and 4+3s 85-87.

84 was all D36.

Da Wiz

Always such a valuable education.

I have not done anything internally to my engine. Just the standard things, TB Bypass, K&N, Open lid, 52mm TB, MAT sensor relocation, yada yada yada. Will changing the gearing inside the 36 to 3.54 or 3.73 allow the 36 to continue to be reliable and survivable?

:smash: :cheers: :smash:

Arisa

Send him my way :reddevil I'm starting to enjoy jumping on C5's :lolg:

Wadoka

Down, Arisa! Down...!

Heh...you need to give us the name of the shop that did your exhaust. Guys, Arisa had the meanest, best-sounding car at the Cruise-In, that I heard.

Da Wiz

Really?? What type of exhaust system do you have Arisa? And what gear are you running? The Flowmasters I originally had on my 94, coupled with a 2.59 gear almost drove me out of the cockpit due to the resonance. I changed back to the stock system....miss those ponies, but not the resonance.

:cheers:

Mr Mojo

This is from the service manual showing the difference in the covers.(click for larger view)
Also, the gear ratio will be stamped on the rear and a part number, but it won't say "Dana 36 or 44"

Also, found out that some '85's came with a Dana 40 which is the same as a 44, but the 44 has more reinforcing ribs on it.

And finally, the six speed came out in 1989.


Also, Arisa's car sounds awesome, definitely the best sounding car there.

tuband

As you can tell from my sig, I have a 94 A4 and a 90 ZR-1. My 94 had the 2.59 gears and I wanted more performance but since I do a good bit of interstate travel I was concerned about going to 3.54 or 3.73. I was ready to settle for 3.07 but located a 3.31 pumpkin already set up .... it has been my best mod so far (and the Corsas are real close on that list). The difference in fuel economy has been neglible .... I travel between Augusta, GA and Atlanta from time to time and actually got slightly better mpg with the 3.31 gears using cruise control at the same mph as I always cruise. Not sure why since I now cruise at about 2400-2500 rpm instead of 1900-2000.

I definitely would prefer a D44 because it's simply built to withstand more abuse, but since I don't take the 94 to the strip and don't use drag radials, I figure I'm OK.

Mr Mojo

George, I think it's because the engine isn't lugging at 2500 RPM. I've found in the mountains that I get much better mpg in 5th at 2500 than in 6th at 2000.

Fozzy_Bear

I have a related question;
At what engine torque should you consider going to a 44? I am rebuilding my engine later this year and I'll be upping the power. I don't want to blow up the rest of the drivetrain and I really don't want to spend the cash to redo the entire car.
I have a 86 vert that came from BG making 340 lb/ft of torque. I have been thinking that as long as I stay below 395 (roughly 15% more than stock) that I should be safe. Is this consistant with what people have experienced?

Aggravated4life

Fozz,
I think as long as you dont shock the rear end with sticky tires/slick controlled launches at the track,youll be ok.Theres been a few people who said they took their cars to the track many times with no problems with the D36.However,not until they began to "hook up" alot off the line alot,they seen breakage.
I dont know the ideal power number to say "hey,its time for the 44" but then again,when you rebuild the motor,only you can find out over time,depending what you do with the car.
With near or under 400 lbs of torque and street tires,I doubt youll be able to break the D36 that easy because of wheel spin.That is,if its mainly a street car.If youre building a 1/4 mile car,then I would upgrade to the 44 just for the strength factor.Age and mileage may also be a factor in how long the rear end can last and how its used.
I wouldnt worry about it unless you do break it down the road and then do need the upgrade.
:)

Da Wiz

Mr Mojo, Tuband

Thanks for the real world info. If this keeps up I may actually make an informed, thoughtful decision.....This could blow my entire M.O.

:cheers: