Corvette Solid Axle Info

[Ben Kallies]

I actually did break an inner axle with a Tom's -style IRS setup. When it broke on the starting line, the car made a hard right and pointed me directly at the tree. Granted, I also run a 4-speed, which is harder on parts. I've seen automatic-equipped cars run a good deal of horsepower through a Tom's setup without any trouble. I have to say however, that the IRS would hook anywhere, and I had it working pretty well - yanking the front tires a good three feet or higher. The biggest advantage to a solid axle in my opinion is less maintenence and parts availability. With a 12-bolt IRS the special ring gears are a little more difficult to come by, and are more expensive than a standard 12-bolt gear. I wanted to run a 4.30 gear at one time, and I couldn't find anyone who had one in stock. One final note: My solid axle setup is about 115 lb lighter than my IRS. Just my 2 cents. Good luck

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Ben Kallies

I actually did break an inner axle with a Tom's -style IRS setup. When it broke on the starting line, the car made a hard right and pointed me directly at the tree. Granted, I also run a 4-speed, which is harder on parts. I've seen automatic-equipped cars run a good deal of horsepower through a Tom's setup without any trouble. I have to say however, that the IRS would hook anywhere, and I had it working pretty well - yanking the front tires a good three feet or higher. The biggest advantage to a solid axle in my opinion is less maintenence and parts availability. With a 12-bolt IRS the special ring gears are a little more difficult to come by, and are more expensive than a standard 12-bolt gear. I wanted to run a 4.30 gear at one time, and I couldn't find anyone who had one in stock. One final note: My solid axle setup is about 115 lb lighter than my IRS. Just my 2 cents. Good luck

Ben, glad you posted. I had never heard of anyone breaking one until now. what kind of 4 speed and clutch did you have? what were your average 60' times? I agree that the IRS will hook in a car wash, or on a dirt road, etc. As for the rear gears, and good machine shop can turn modify a standard 12 bolt PRO gear

[Ben Kallies]

Chad, I run a Jerico 4-speed with a Mcleod soft-loc. I had around 900-950 lb of pressure at the time. My 60 ft times were around 1.52 tripping the lights with the rear tires. I agree that a competent machine shop can turn the ring gear down, but I figured that you're going to want to have it heat treated again after the machining is done. That seems like a lot of hassle to change gears, not to mention the cost. What combination do you run? -Ben

[Mr.L-88]

The reason that I asked this is that before the safety loops were part of the IRS plan I witnessed something that made me a little bit gun shy of the whole beefed up IRS deal. A guy that I knew decided to try out his jet boat engine in his Corvette. He let his wife run the car and it spit the Pass side half shaft through the floor, back of the pass seat, and was captured by the seat leather which was pushed out about 6-8" from the normal location. Very lucky day for them. This is why I asked the questions that I did.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Ben Kallies

Chad, I run a Jerico 4-speed with a Mcleod soft-loc. I had around 900-950 lb of pressure at the time. My 60 ft times were around 1.52 tripping the lights with the rear tires. I agree that a competent machine shop can turn the ring gear down, but I figured that you're going to want to have it heat treated again after the machining is done. That seems like a lot of hassle to change gears, not to mention the cost. What combination do you run? -Ben

427/235 stocker. th-350. avg 60' in the mid 1.30's ( one 1.40 on the rear tires)

[Mr.L-88]

You guys have been great! Thanks you all so much for the helpful information that you have sent to me through the PM's and email.