84FromHell

I'd like to put some 3:54s in my Dana 36 but I'm wondering if it might be money better spent changing to a Dana 44 with 3:45s (if I can find one).
I hate to think about spending 1Large on a rear that may explode the next time I lay on the gas.

Thoughts anyone?

vader86

the 36 cant take drag slicks, the ratio makes no difference in how much power it can take, but over 400lb ft might start pushing it

D44 will be able to take just about anything you throw at it, down to about 1.4-1.5 60' times. So if you upgraded, you probably would never have to worry about it again.

Caboboy

Hey Bill, how are you?? :seeya

I think it's a question of the difference in cost vs. your intended use of the car. Like Vader says, if you dump any torque at all and hook up, you're on borrowed time. On the other hand, I don't see any problems occasionally spinning street tires with a D36.
What do you figure the difference in cost would be???? Probably just the actual cost of the unit, since everything else is a constant (maybe a little more because of installing the batwing I guess). I got a complete unit off EBay for 600 bucks or so, but I was patient and Chicken Hawked them for a few months. If you decide to go on one, shoot me an IM and I'll turn you on to the guy I got mine from....... he was terrific!

Tim

Mr Mojo

If you are going to use drag radials and race a lot, go with a 44, if you stay on street tires and race occasionally, the 36 should be fine. Although I must say, my 36 didn't last long and I was on street tires.

A complete used 44 will run you about $1400, you will get the carrier, the cover, the driveshaft and driveline support. This is from Contemporary Corvette, 1-800-367-8388, prices in your area may be better or worse, but that seems to be the going price. If you find one cheaper, ask yourself why.
What else will you need to buy? Things like that.

I believe ZIP does an exchange for $800 plus core for both the 36 and 44, but I don't know what available gear ratios they have.

Zora

Dana 44 is the way to go. :yesnod:
I know someone who has had 3 Dana 36s....and the Vette does not see the track that much. Once is all it takes sometimes.....a few on the forum have been lucky.
Go with the 44 and you will not have to worry about it. :cheers:

93 ragtop

I have a dana 36 and have made a little over a 100 passes with it now. The last 30+ passes were with the new 3000 stall converter. I had a lot of 1.80's and a few high 1.70's times. So far no problems. One important thing to do is be sure you pick someone who has experience with vette rearends. But with all of this being said I wish I would have gone with the 44. If it breaks its going to cost a lot to get it home, not to mention, then Ill be buying a 44.
If your intentions are only street use and drag use with street tires and a few mods then you probably will be ok, but once you start racing it seems you are never satisified and you want to make it quicker.

TunedPort 335

Aren't the Dana 44's the same thing as a GM 10 bolt..except designed with Independent suspension?? Correct me if I'm wrong

Mr Mojo

Also, no matter which you go with, paint stripes across the halfshafts. That's a good way to find out if they are starting to twist and then eventually break.

84FromHell

Thanks to everyone for all the good input!

I should have given a little more info on what I plan to do with the car.
I doubt I'll ever run at the track or use drag tires. Right now the car (my 94) is stock outside of a hypertech and K&N. Somewhere down the road I may put a 100 HP shot of nos on it.
Right now I'm leaning towards just doing the job once ala 44.
Does anyone know if there might be a market for my 36 with 2.59s?

Tim I will be getting hold of you to pick your brain one of these days :cheers:

dppeaden

Dana 44 will take more abuse than the 36.

Phil-tha-Rush

I have a 36 (automatic)

BUT this has ALWAYS puzzled me.

This IS a highperformance car?
Obviously GM is aware that the 44 is more durable?
WHY, for 10 years did they put 36s in some cars, and 44s in others (6 spds).

why NOT put the better unit (DANA 44) in EVERY corvette.


I guess they were trying to save PENNIES?? :mad :mad

BubbleHead

I say if you are going to upgrade... UPGRADE!!! I went with a Dana 44 because I was in the right place at the right time! :D

And as a side note, you will notice a great difference between 2.59's and 3.54's! :D :D :D

Sharky Guam

Duh! If you got the increase in power, it seems like a no brainer to upgrade.

CORKVETTE1

ah yes it does anytime you go numericly higher there is more teeth on the ring gear sometimes on the pinion also but what we are conserned about is the ring gear the more teeth means smaller teeth in the same ring gear smaller teeth more prone to breaking its that simple :cheers:

Lord Odin

I am SOOOO glad I read this thread. Wow. I was thinking about getting some 3.54's as well but I plan on putting a supercharger in this setup later on. I won't put slicks on this (not even for drag racing) because this is my daily driver. If I stuck with the Dana 36, it might have had some serious problems? Man, I guess I'll just go with the Dana 44 then. So the 44's come with 3.45 by default? They do come with auto's, yes? Is there anything special we should know about them? Anything at all?


[Modified by Lord Odin, 12:18 PM 11/23/2002]

Vic'89

The Dana 44's come is different gear ratios.

Vic