HICKORYSTIX
New member
has anybody used auto fab 4 link to install solid rear end in c3 corvette
auto fab rear axle convrsions on c3 corvettes
- Thread starter HICKORYSTIX
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bill81vette
Moderator
Welcome to CAC
Enjoy!!!
I've never seen one,but....
Perhaps in a race car!!!!
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Enjoy!!!
I've never seen one,but....
Perhaps in a race car!!!!
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Hib Halverson
Technical Writer for Internet & Print Media
There'd be no reason to replace C3 IRS with a straight axle unless you were drag racing. In fact, there are some classes which prohibit the use of IRS.
Looks like that set-up is pretty robust with a 9-in Ford axle.
The problem for some with a four-bar is learning or figuring-out how to set it up to work right once it's installed.
Obviously, to do a DIY install you need welding experience and some chassis-building know-how.
Looks like that set-up is pretty robust with a 9-in Ford axle.
The problem for some with a four-bar is learning or figuring-out how to set it up to work right once it's installed.
Obviously, to do a DIY install you need welding experience and some chassis-building know-how.
GTR1999
Well-known member
As Hib said the 9" is certainly robust. This swap has been around for a while and while I have not installed one some on the various forums have done them. I believe one such build was documented on DC a year or two ago.
Depending on your application, HP, trans, traction, and driving style an vette IRS can be built to hold up. I do them all the time using Tom's Differential parts. If you have the tools and experience to build a diff you can buy the parts direct from Tom.
If I recall correctly and 9" swap is about $5k?
Again depending on your application a vette IRS could be less or a lot more.
If you have already reviewed your options and selected this one, good luck those that have them seem to be happy. If you have questions on the vette IRS build up I can answer them if you like.
Depending on your application, HP, trans, traction, and driving style an vette IRS can be built to hold up. I do them all the time using Tom's Differential parts. If you have the tools and experience to build a diff you can buy the parts direct from Tom.
If I recall correctly and 9" swap is about $5k?
Again depending on your application a vette IRS could be less or a lot more.
If you have already reviewed your options and selected this one, good luck those that have them seem to be happy. If you have questions on the vette IRS build up I can answer them if you like.
Hib Halverson
Technical Writer for Internet & Print Media
GTR1999
Well-known member
Hib,
I could be wrong but I thought that was about the cost of that kit. There is another 9" IRS on the market as well, I have not worked on one of those either but some who priced them out told me close to 9-10k by the time they are done? A Tom's 1480 12 bolt is less and has been track proven the past 35-40 years. Not saying any are bad or not worth the money, just different options for different applications.
Me, I have built a lot of HD vette IRS in 10, super 10 and 12 but I have a blueprinted 10 in own 72 since that is all I need. My son on the other hand blew up 10's a couple of times, bent 1350 axles, so finally I built him the full 1480 12 to keep his car on the road- however what really kept the car on the road the past 4 years is the fact he now has 2 kids of his own and the vette sits in his garage!
I could be wrong but I thought that was about the cost of that kit. There is another 9" IRS on the market as well, I have not worked on one of those either but some who priced them out told me close to 9-10k by the time they are done? A Tom's 1480 12 bolt is less and has been track proven the past 35-40 years. Not saying any are bad or not worth the money, just different options for different applications.
Me, I have built a lot of HD vette IRS in 10, super 10 and 12 but I have a blueprinted 10 in own 72 since that is all I need. My son on the other hand blew up 10's a couple of times, bent 1350 axles, so finally I built him the full 1480 12 to keep his car on the road- however what really kept the car on the road the past 4 years is the fact he now has 2 kids of his own and the vette sits in his garage!
Hib Halverson
Technical Writer for Internet & Print Media
Tom Watt made good stuff. When he was still in the L.A. area, I worked with him on a number of magazine projects. He always told me that if I went drag racing with my 71 BBC, I'd need his 12-bolt conversion. Never went drag racing with the car...at least not seriously...so I had him do the stock axle with his caps, bolts, axles and the limited slip set-up.
I still have the drive axle he built for me back in the 90s in the car, today.
I still have the drive axle he built for me back in the 90s in the car, today.
- Thread starter
- #8
HICKORYSTIX
New member
Drag racing c3 corvette
Hi Gary;
I have a 1976 corvette, I built a 383 for it making 450 hp? I have 4 speed Muncie with 3;55 gears. I will be racing it 1 0r 2 times a year,possibly with sticky radial tires. would a super 10 diff stand up and would you need stronger half shafts and stub axles?
Gord
Hi Gary;
I have a 1976 corvette, I built a 383 for it making 450 hp? I have 4 speed Muncie with 3;55 gears. I will be racing it 1 0r 2 times a year,possibly with sticky radial tires. would a super 10 diff stand up and would you need stronger half shafts and stub axles?
Gord
GTR1999
Well-known member
Hi Gord
Well a lot depends on usage. Your power level at 450hp and probably close in torque wouldn't require a 12 bolt conversion, is borderline on a blueprinted 10 and really right in the range I designed the super 10 for which is 4350-550hp. Note: this is based on the real super 10 that I designed I can't say what the knockoff versions can do. Add in Cryo and it's a stout diff, I just built one for a guy on CF- if you go there look up Bmans super10 thread- a lot of pictures and his was also cryo treated. That took me close to 40 hours to build.
So back to usage. What breaks a vette diff? - shock loading, diff design, and usage. We ran our 75 with 375 hp and up to 550hp at the track with hard launches and yes it came apart in many areas. The stock Muncie and super T10's come apart with hard abuse, we cracked 2 open like an egg at the track. Completely wasted them. If you have a super case Muncie I believe they are much stronger but we never ran one to see. He's using a Tremic 5 speed now. The diff's on this car broke as well, first a blueprinted 10, then I built a 1350 12 and the axles bent, finally stepped up to building him a 1480 12 and that worked so far but as mentioned having a family now limits his vette use to the street, no time or money to drive 120 miles to the closest track anymore.
What I suggest you do first before you spend a dime, and I'm not trying to sell you anything, is do your homework. If you want the links to all my thread on diff's, arms, etc let me know or look on DC they are all there for anyone to view. Although with the photobucket deal going on now I don't know how long all those pictures will be up so I would get them read soon. I have all in my file but I don't know if I am going to go back 10 years and dig them all up again.
With limited track use the super 10 should work, heavy track use go to the 1480 12bolt, bypass the 1350 and you can have full IRS with strength. Now with that said, I have one vette buddy with a nice 700hp 67 that he beats up every chance he gets and he's running one of my super 10's without cryo. Will he break it, maybe I hate the term bulletproof as used by too many rebuilders these days, the military has some HD bullets so is anything really bulletproof? I wouldn't beat on it.
PS- get a scattersheild, weld in frame gussets, go with solid diff mounts or the aluminum pucks, check the frame to diff bracket for cracks in the snubber bushing hole, and consider Tom's 31 spline outer axles. Use a stiff steel spring and QA1 adjustable shocks.
Here are some videos I found of my son's 75, this is with the 1480 in it. Ah kids!
Corvette 144 b&m blower - YouTube
Corvette dyno 560rwhp 655rwtq - YouTube
Well a lot depends on usage. Your power level at 450hp and probably close in torque wouldn't require a 12 bolt conversion, is borderline on a blueprinted 10 and really right in the range I designed the super 10 for which is 4350-550hp. Note: this is based on the real super 10 that I designed I can't say what the knockoff versions can do. Add in Cryo and it's a stout diff, I just built one for a guy on CF- if you go there look up Bmans super10 thread- a lot of pictures and his was also cryo treated. That took me close to 40 hours to build.
So back to usage. What breaks a vette diff? - shock loading, diff design, and usage. We ran our 75 with 375 hp and up to 550hp at the track with hard launches and yes it came apart in many areas. The stock Muncie and super T10's come apart with hard abuse, we cracked 2 open like an egg at the track. Completely wasted them. If you have a super case Muncie I believe they are much stronger but we never ran one to see. He's using a Tremic 5 speed now. The diff's on this car broke as well, first a blueprinted 10, then I built a 1350 12 and the axles bent, finally stepped up to building him a 1480 12 and that worked so far but as mentioned having a family now limits his vette use to the street, no time or money to drive 120 miles to the closest track anymore.
What I suggest you do first before you spend a dime, and I'm not trying to sell you anything, is do your homework. If you want the links to all my thread on diff's, arms, etc let me know or look on DC they are all there for anyone to view. Although with the photobucket deal going on now I don't know how long all those pictures will be up so I would get them read soon. I have all in my file but I don't know if I am going to go back 10 years and dig them all up again.
With limited track use the super 10 should work, heavy track use go to the 1480 12bolt, bypass the 1350 and you can have full IRS with strength. Now with that said, I have one vette buddy with a nice 700hp 67 that he beats up every chance he gets and he's running one of my super 10's without cryo. Will he break it, maybe I hate the term bulletproof as used by too many rebuilders these days, the military has some HD bullets so is anything really bulletproof? I wouldn't beat on it.
PS- get a scattersheild, weld in frame gussets, go with solid diff mounts or the aluminum pucks, check the frame to diff bracket for cracks in the snubber bushing hole, and consider Tom's 31 spline outer axles. Use a stiff steel spring and QA1 adjustable shocks.
Here are some videos I found of my son's 75, this is with the 1480 in it. Ah kids!
Corvette 144 b&m blower - YouTube
Corvette dyno 560rwhp 655rwtq - YouTube
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