C3 conversion for CSX style chassis

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by moore_rb

This viewpoint is based mainly on the lazy language used in Internet forums. No C2 or C3 Corvette's rear end was a 10 bolt, nor are any of the parts interchangeable with a 10 bolt.

but since the Corvette's rear diff case was held on with 10 bolts... well, there you go... It's a 10 bolt.

The first C2/C3 diff was offered with the 1963 Corvette. Every single one of them from 63 to 82 used a 8.125 inch ring gear, and a Pinion with a 2.125 inch bearing shaft.

The first Corporate 10-bolt differential was offered in 1970 (7 years later) and used a 7 inch ring gear and a 1.75 inch Pinion bearing shaft.

In reality, the Corvette's rear diff design is slightly similar to the later, stronger 8 inch 10 Bolt diffs, but it can also be said that the Corvette diff (and the later 10 bolts) were effectively a scaled down 12 bolt diff, with a shorter pinion shaft, and a 1/4 inch smaller ring gear.

The ony way you are going to break a well built C2 or C3 cast iron diff is if you are dumping 1000+ lbft of torque through it with 33 inch drag slicks.

on street tires, even 1000HP is going to light the tires (especially on a 2500 pound car) long before any diff pieces start breaking...

Huh? Yes, they were all 10 bolts, which refers to how many bolts are holding the ring gear on the differential. The rear case is being held on by 8 bolts if I recall.

Do whatever you want, but I have a friend here with a small block Cobra (347 cid) and it is putting out 510 hp and 490 Ft lbs of torque. That is pretty close to the much hailed L88 427 of the late 60's. If I were going to invest a fair amount of money in a totally new rear end in my Cobra with my bored and stroked all aluminum S/O, I would go with something a bit better than a Corvette rear end.