1980 Vette: rear end swap for a 1996?

[vetski179]

I've read some posts on this forum regarding 1980-82 Vette rear end. Is it a Dana 44? And is a 1996 a Dana 44 as well? If it's the same, would there be any advantage to a 1996 rear into my 1980 Vette? Gross HP for my planned engine may be 500+ LS1 HP. Thanks.

 

[Hib Halverson]

They are both Dana 44s but they do not interchange because of significant differences rear axle case assemblies.

 

[vetski179]

Thank you Hib for the reply. "Significant differences rear axle case assemblies" aside, is the internal strength similar? If the build of my car goes as planned, the car would see street duty almost all of the time, with very little drag racing type action.

 

[Hib Halverson]

My knowlege of the rear axle assys on late C3 and 85-96 C4 manuals is not sufficient enough to answer conclusively, however, I'll guess that the C4 housing might be a little more robust.

As for the durability of the OE 80-82 rear axle, it's going to depend how much drag racing, how much torque and what kind of rear tires.

 

[vetski179]

Virtually no drag racing, and street tires

 

[jordan126]

80 rear end

I've read some posts on this forum regarding 1980-82 Vette rear end. Is it a Dana 44? And is a 1996 a Dana 44 as well? If it's the same, would there be any advantage to a 1996 rear into my 1980 Vette? Gross HP for my planned engine may be 500+ LS1 HP. Thanks.

that wont fit,but why dont you mount a 63-79 iron differential to your 80-82 crossmember,alot of people have done this on hi-horsepower 80-82's

 

[GTR1999]

The 80-82 diffs are weak and the bearing caps break. The iron unit is much better in stock form but even that needs attention. I've built them for 1000hp setups(12 bolt) for up to say 500hp a blueprinted iron unit will be good for st and some strip use. They are costly to convert as well so you should think about what you plan on using the car for and if you're going to keep it a long time.
I think my threads with this info are still here, if you can't find them you can PM me and I'll link you to all the threads.