C4396STROKER

Hey guys, how do I tell if I have a Dana 36 or 44.. 88' Automatic car. I've heard the autos usually come with the Dana 36 but there was also an option (RPO G44) for a Dana 44. Someone scraped the RPO codes off the car so being able to tell what it came with stock is not as easy as looking at the codes now, plus Idk if it's still in stock form... Any ifno would be well appreciated, thanks guys!

Black89Z51

Look at the top of the back cover. If there's a bolt there, it's a 36. No bolt at the very top, it's a 44.

toptechx6

96GS#007

Stock for the auto cars was a D36. There was no option to upgrade to the D44 on the autos, only an option to get the "performance" gear ratio (3.07)

C4396STROKER

Beautiful, that makes my life much easier. Thanks guys!

IAFF alumni

Related question...

If the 'performance' gear in a D36 is a 3.07, is it possible to get a little deeper... like in the mid 3's to wake up an automatic car?

I don't need a 150mph car (with the stock 2.59's), but a little quicker in town and on the highway would be a nice option to have with a little deeper gear.

Black89Z51

Absolutely. You have quite a few gear options available. Check out Randy's Ring and Pinion.

toptechx6

Many here suggested 3.73's when I asked a similar question so I purchased a set from one of the members. The improvement when driving stoplight to stoplight was impressive and the car would catch rubber on the 1-2 shift after the change.
For me however the 3.73 ratio was too steep for freeway driving, the higher rpm and associated noise was annoying and made normal conversation difficult at highway speeds.

I eventually swapped out the D36 for a D44 with the 3.45 gear set that is standard in the manual trans cars. For me something in that range is almost ideal for an LT1, low end is still excellent without the engine being wound up on the freeway, just my opinion of course. The 3.54 ratio available for a D36 should give similar results. Consider doing a higher stall speed converter at the same time, it will complement the gears and you will already have the exhaust and C-bear removed for the gear change.

C4396STROKER

Okay so my next question guys, how much power can a Dana 36 handle?? I would like to do the D44 swap but that's gonna be closer to this winter before I have the extra fundage.

toptechx6

Lots of guys have put a lot of power threw the D36 behind an automatic because power application is more gradual. Manual cars would likely break one quickly.

C4396STROKER

I'm expecting 400-450 RWHP, 396 stroker so it should have a fair amount of tq.

toptechx6

If you are happy with the gear ratio, use it untill it breaks, in the mean time save up for a D44.

C4396STROKER

Great minds think alike! haha Although I think I'm gonna throw a 3.45 spool in it

red L98

Dont spend the money on gear swap for a dana 36 . keep the 3:07 gears , it will live longer .

85vet

If you have sticky tires and hook - you will be on borrowed time - the Dana 36 cannot handle the torque a 396 stroker can put out. Save your money for a Dana44 or a solid rear. You will have plenty of power with 3.07's if you have the performance gears.

C4396STROKER

Lots of good advice guys, mucho appreciated too! Maybe this is a dumb question but will the C3 and C4 rear ends interchange??

85vet

No, they do not

Bon Air

Don't make a mistake and buy cheap gears-OEM Dana is ONLY way to go. After market's
are cheap for a reason, too noisy.
Bon Air

vader86

Torque breaks things, but there is not concrete limit to what it can take. With slicks on it, it could even break at just beyond stock levels.

So with a 396, if youre street driving it, it can last pretty much forever. The tranny will die first.

If you put slicks on it, it may last 1 run and it may last 1000 runs. It'll blow when the instantaneous tq delivered is more than the pieces can handle.

I'd just drive it til you get everything sorted out, or til it breaks, and then swap over to the D44.