Transmissions and DrivetrainNeed help with your trans? Problems with your axle?
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This will be of course with a T56, the T5 is not going to handle 1 good launch with the Dana, i do not feel lucky
Well then, I expect it will take more punishment than most T56 clutches can dish out. So you better upgrade that if you want the Dana to be the weak link.
I bought my Dane 44 from A.J. Foyt Chevrolet, over the parts counter in 1987 or 88. It has been on my car for 20 years. I have had about 7 different motors in that time, none less than about 300 RWHP, up to about 500RWHP, and often 1-200 HP of N2O on top of that. I generally run DOT auto cross tires on the street, currently Kuhmo VictoRacer 275-40-17 (tread wear of 50), and ET Streets at the track (10.5x26x15).
In the 6 months before getting it, I wen t through 3 10 bolts. Primarily damage resulting from twisting the housing.
I figure I have more that 300,000 miles on it. I have never had to do anything to it (unless you count changing the oil). It has been the most trouble free part of my car since the day I installed it.
Now you may not think much of my anecdotal experience, and I don't have experience with 8.5" 10-bolts of 7.5" 9-bolts. But I am a firm believer in the Dana 44!
I'm searching for info on the Dana 44 and this is the kind of experience I can relate to.
Anyone else have seat time with one of these?
I recently came across the origional 10 page installation instructions that came with mine. Not much usefull information, but some good pictures!
If you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to answer any I can.
I'm looking at this as a replacement for my 9-bolt.
Consensus is that it's stronger but only marginally. I hear there is better aftermarket support though.
Looking at your 1/4 mile time it would seem that it can take a fair bit of abuse. My 9-bolt broke the pinion on my first sub 13 second pass (one full tooth) however did manage to stay together for another 10 or so passes the same evening. Even managed a 300 mile tour to get home breaking another tooth along the way. I'm not sure if it's up to running next season on slicks even with a thorough rebuild and fresh gears.
Do you have a recommendation one way or the other?
Being an OEM replacement does it use the OEM rear disc setup?
Yes, it uses the OEM rear disk setup. The early ones (like mine) were set up for the iron calipers and if you want PBR's instead you have to press off the axle bearings to replace the caliper brackets to get the PBR brackets on.
The later ones let you replace the brackets without removing the bearings, or so I'm told.
As far as the strength, I understand that the 9 bolt is only a little stronger than the 10 bolt. I went through 3 ten bolts in a matter of months running 13's before I got the Dana 44. I've now had it for 20 years running 11's (low 11's now) and never had to do anything to it.
Now I bought mine new, so if you get a used one there is no telling what it has been through. You may very well get a really good 9 bolt that will last longer than a used up Dana 44. But I would be surprised.
I've gone through a crap load of info on the Dana 44. GM Performance Parts Catalog # 14044853.
What I haven't come across is a single document with the axle spline count.
Earlier in this thread is reference to a 30 spline axle (sofakingdom) but nothing else.
I recently found the origional 10 page installation instructions that came with it. It doesn't say anything about the axle splines, and I have never bothered to count them.
FYI:
14044853 is 3.31:1 ratio (what I bought)
14044854 is 3.92:1 ratio
14044855 is 4.09:1 ratio
I'm picking up a 14044853 as well as a 3.73 gear set. The case break is between 3.73 and 3.92 so that's as much ratio I can get without swapping out the posi carrier.
Which posi does your diff have?
As far as the installation instructions go, if you have the time and the technology I would like to see a copy of it. I've got a binder full of literature and that's something that I'd like to add.
I picked up the Dana over the weekend. It's only seen service as a spare for a SCCA Camaro racer. Appears to be immaculate, at least on the outside. TracLoc posi and two sets of gears. The original 3.31 and some 3.73's.
What I have to do now is source out some rear discs. It only came with the backing plates.
I just bought a 1983 Z28 and it has this Dana44 rear under it. 3.31 posi ratio with a 5 speed trans. <This car has the factory fiberglass functional hood. Is this an 82 leftover? The dana44 axle appears to be factory installed?
The 82-> mid 83 Crossfire Injection cars came with the functional ABS hood. The Carb'ed Z-28s from the same time frame came with a non-functional ABS hood (That's what I have, except I made it functional)
The Dana 44 was not available until the mid 80's, so it could not have origionally come on your car. I've heard that it was sometimes installed under warranty, but most people had to buy them over the parts counter, like I did.
__________________ If it breaks, make it stronger.
If it doesn't, try harder.
First (Official) Antique 3rd-Gen. 29 years and counting!
I'm lucky enough to have one of these GM Parts Dana 44s under my '91 Formula. I mean really lucky! I first put the rear in my 1984 Trans-Am for road-racing in the Camaro Mustang Challenge. When I sold the car the rear went with it, the new owner took out the Dana 44 and sold the car. Finally I got the rear back this year! It has a Detroit Locker in it, we'll see how that goes as a street car!
__________________ '84 Trans-Am CMC Race Car SOLD!
'91 Formula WS6 TPI 5spd street car
'94 TA 2006 CMC car
'97 TA Purdy Car
I ran the vin and it comes back an 83 Z28 with the H engine 5.0 ho and were 3223 cars with that option with the 5 speed. Now this has the functional hood. Thats odd. the hood is broke on the drivers hinge area.
I will be selling the Dana 44 disc complete take out as soon as i can post in the for sale board. Its a 3.31 Posi dana 44 disc brake with sway bar,u bolts and tourque arm..ect
Quote:
Originally Posted by esc
The 82-> mid 83 Crossfire Injection cars came with the functional ABS hood. The Carb'ed Z-28s from the same time frame came with a non-functional ABS hood (That's what I have, except I made it functional)
The Dana 44 was not available until the mid 80's, so it could not have origionally come on your car. I've heard that it was sometimes installed under warranty, but most people had to buy them over the parts counter, like I did.
Is the hood properly ducted, or does it just dump into the engine compartment?
The only ones I have seen that were ducted were the CFI motors. I have one of those intakes. I plan on using it as a starting point to make mine close. Right now, I just have holes.
__________________ If it breaks, make it stronger.
If it doesn't, try harder.
First (Official) Antique 3rd-Gen. 29 years and counting!
I ran the vin and it comes back an 83 Z28 with the H engine 5.0 ho and were 3223 cars with that option with the 5 speed. Now this has the functional hood. Thats odd. the hood is broke on the drivers hinge area.
I will be selling the Dana 44 disc complete take out as soon as i can post in the for sale board. Its a 3.31 Posi dana 44 disc brake with sway bar,u bolts and tourque arm..ect
Why sell it? Plenty of parts available for it and with forged axles pretty much impossible to break unless you are putting a rocket engine in it!
I will be selling the Dana 44 disc complete take out as soon as i can post in the for sale board. Its a 3.31 Posi dana 44 disc brake with sway bar,u bolts and tourque arm..ect
Send me an email, I'm interested in talking to you about this.
The hood is ducted. I am trying to find the build sheet. It is a wierd optioned car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by esc
Is the hood properly ducted, or does it just dump into the engine compartment?
The only ones I have seen that were ducted were the CFI motors. I have one of those intakes. I plan on using it as a starting point to make mine close. Right now, I just have holes.
