C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

How Strong is a Dana 36?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-09-2010, 04:05 PM
  #1  
1981Z06Vette
Pro
Thread Starter
 
1981Z06Vette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock GA
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default How Strong is a Dana 36?

I know they are weaker than the 44, but how weak? I picked up complete front and rear '85 Vette IFS/IRS last weekend, pretty cheap, and was thinking about using the Dana 36 in a project. Also, what is involved in swapping over a Dana 44? Will much of what I have swap over (batwing, halfshafts, etc)?
Old 03-09-2010, 04:25 PM
  #2  
65Z01
Team Owner
 
65Z01's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2000
Location: SE NY
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 0
Received 300 Likes on 274 Posts
Cruise-In II Veteran

Default

I think you are fairly safe if the project is runs an A4 on street tires.

When my '88 Vette was making ~300chp it would pull low 1.9s and mid 1.8s in good weather with no "mishapps".
Old 03-09-2010, 05:29 PM
  #3  
surfer92
Pro
 
surfer92's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2009
Location: vero beach florida
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

D44 will not work in your 81, without major modding, different bolt pattern and suspension setup. Though if you do a search, there was a guy who tried years ago, though I stopped watching the thread so I do not know if he completed the project,, sounded pretty involved.
Old 03-09-2010, 05:43 PM
  #4  
rodj
Le Mans Master
 
rodj's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 29 Posts

Default

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ic-limits.html
Old 03-09-2010, 10:06 PM
  #5  
1981Z06Vette
Pro
Thread Starter
 
1981Z06Vette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock GA
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by surfer92
D44 will not work in your 81, without major modding, different bolt pattern and suspension setup. Though if you do a search, there was a guy who tried years ago, though I stopped watching the thread so I do not know if he completed the project,, sounded pretty involved.
I know it isn't a bolt in, or even an easy weld in. Fortunately, I have a good fabricator who helps me out with stuff like this from time to time. I'm mainly concerned with strength, though...or what is different between the 36 and 44, so I can upgrade it (or if I should just sell it and get a complete 44).
Old 03-09-2010, 10:19 PM
  #6  
surfer92
Pro
 
surfer92's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2009
Location: vero beach florida
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It will do 500hp from what I heard and you can cryo the half shafts and gears, I have 300 rwhp on my son's 93 w/2300 tc and the 2.59's held up well. I did have an issue with cracked driveshaft straps, but I think it was because of the u-joints taking them out.
But setup on a c3, the stress will not be in the same places, so it is hard to tell how much it will take.
Old 03-10-2010, 07:55 AM
  #7  
c-4 lhozwalte
Racer
 
c-4 lhozwalte's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2009
Location: van buren ar
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

how long it holds up is dirrectly realated to how much wheel and tire you have,weight wise.and how much traction you have.imo it would survive behind 500rwhp as long as it didnt hook up until you were going 80mph or better,but what fun would that be?
Old 03-10-2010, 10:36 PM
  #8  
NASCAR314
Drifting
 
NASCAR314's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: St. Peters MO
Posts: 1,322
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts

Default

Dana 36 is fine with 2.59 to 3.08 gears. When you try to go to a lower gear ratio (higher numericaly), like say 3.73, thats when you have trouble. Even with street tires.

I've destroyed 3 DANA 36's with 3.73 : 1 gears
Then I installed a DANA 44 with 3.54 : 1 and have been clean and green since.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:36 AM
  #9  
rodj
Le Mans Master
 
rodj's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 29 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 1981Z06Vette
what is different between the 36 and 44, so I can upgrade it .
Once you have fabricated mounts for a D36 then the D44 batwing and head are a straight swap , only requiring a shorter driveshaft on account of the longer D44 diffhead
All parts outboard of the diff yokes are the same for both D36 and D44 ;bearing in mind there are component differences pre / post '88 ; different spindle / brakes / park brake / shocks/ etc

Get notified of new replies

To How Strong is a Dana 36?




Quick Reply: How Strong is a Dana 36?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:53 PM.