1969 Corvette Stocker - Page 2

Chad Rhodes · 08-08-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/ST4707

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I really am looking at the Corvette due to engine setback. The only drawback I see is the use of a transverse spring with a solid rear and short trailing arms.

shoot me an private message and I will try and help you out with the IRS, and I can also recommend someone to do the straight axle conversion if thats the route you want to go.

Rich Biebel · 08-08-2009, 08:26 PM

I recall the issues with the IRS Corvette rears a little. When Bernie Agamen built his Corvette he was given an ok to use a std solid rear axle. When he showed up at the racetrack the story changed and he had to change it back to the IRS type rear. He broke that thing numerous times as I recall. Now that was a big tire car and a 454 but they were not all that fast back then compared to today's stockers. I was pitted next to Muni Haddad at Maple Grove one year and they were workjing on the rear of their Corvette. I was wrestling with my own issues but on his next run Haddad crashed that car badly and went up and maybe over the guardrail. I heard it was a half shaft failure......I'd be hesitat to race one if it had a BB without using the solid rear...

Personnaly I'd run the 350/300...Cam is pretty small but hey scads of guys run that cam and go fast with low compression 350's...Same cam.....Those cars are nice and make very nice racecars. There is a '68 327 for sale on this site I think.....Real nice loooking car.....

X-TECH MAN · 08-08-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

I beg to differ on that. A properly set up Swing Axle will live behind a big block just fine. Greg Eaton runs mid to high 8's on a Tom's differential IRS. You do have to know what you are doing but the Tom's stuff is 100% reliable in a stocker. Its also an advantage on a marginal race track.

I had the "TOMS" complete swing axle also known as Henerys stuff. I got all of mine from Leon Maranian when he went to S/S and a dana rear. It is really strong but your not supposed to run a spool...Just a posi unit with a swing arm assembly (NHRA rules) though some do run a spool. Several have ended up in the wall because of using a spool instead of a posi (Muni Haddad for one???) when a half shaft or U joint breaks look out.. Your on borrowed time with a high HP big block. Its up to you. If i was going with the small block I would stay with the swing axle. I ran mine for 3 years with a small block and a 4 speed (7 inch tire days) with out a failure but as soon as we went to the S/S rules of 1972 (larger rear tires) I ran into breakage. One tip....align the rear with 1/8th degree Positive camber with the swing axle and use a heavy rated (pound) transverse spring.

Chad Rhodes · 08-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

I had the "TOMS" complete swing axle also known as Henerys stuff. I got all of mine from Leon Maranian when he went to S/S and a dana rear. It is really strong but your not supposed to run a spool...Just a posi unit with a swing arm assembly (NHRA rules) though some do run a spool. Several have ended up in the wall because of using a spool instead of a posi (Muni Haddad for one???) when a half shaft or U joint breaks look out.. Your on borrowed time with a high HP big block. Its up to you. If i was going with the small block I would stay with the swing axle. I ran mine for 3 years with a small block and a 4 speed (7 inch tire days) with out a failure but as soon as we went to the S/S rules of 1972 (larger rear tires) I ran into breakage. One tip....align the rear with 1/8th degree Positive camber with the swing axle and use a heavy rated (pound) transverse spring.

Well dad's been racing IRS vettes since 1970, and we have had zero failures since we went to the Tom's stuff. I also know Leon pretty well. If you really study the forces and physics behind these rear ends its not a big issue. The Tom's 1480 stuff is damn near bulletproof if you follow a few rules. Hint: the car shouldn't "squat".

Oh and about the spool issue. ANY car would do that if it broke an axle with a spool. The big issue is the outer axle and the Henry's/Tom's/Peppy's/etc solved that. Regular maintenance, and some good knowledge of geometry and physics goes a long way on these cars.

S/ST4707 · 08-09-2009, 04:21 PM

Guys, Now have finally decided to build a car I will go to a solid rear end. Chad, I will PM you to find out who you recommend for the solid rear end. Thanks for the input.

mopar68 · 08-10-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

I don't know about competitive but I'd build a '68 L88. Stick only. Real mans car!

Ditto!

M68

Bob Bender · 08-10-2009, 04:05 PM

[quote=Rich Biebel;134033]I recall the issues with the IRS Corvette rears a little. When Bernie Agamen built his Corvette he was given an ok to use a std solid rear axle. When he showed up at the racetrack the story changed and he had to change it back to the IRS type rear. He broke that thing numerous times as I recall. Now that was a big tire car and a 454 but they were not all that fast back then compared to today's stockers. I was pitted next to Muni Haddad at Maple Grove one year and they were workjing on the rear of their Corvette. I was wrestling with my own issues but on his next run Haddad crashed that car badly and went up and maybe over the guardrail. I heard it was a half shaft failure......I'd be hesitat to race one if it had a BB without using the solid rear...

The half shift broke in the lights............he went a long way on his top......but he was "OK"..........

KEN BUGAJ · 08-10-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

I beg to differ on that. A properly set up Swing Axle will live behind a big block just fine. Greg Eaton runs mid to high 8's on a Tom's differential IRS. You do have to know what you are doing but the Tom's stuff is 100% reliable in a stocker. Its also an advantage on a marginal race track.

Tom's stuff would be the way to go.
You'll never get the 427/400 3X2 to run with the Camaro's
The 390 Hp has a problem with the intake, It's junk.
If I were to do another Corvette it would be with Tom's stuff and the L-88 Automatic,
We ran SS corvettes year's ago with Tom's stuff, It held up to 700 hp plus.
Why put the solid rear in a Corvette and make it like a Camaro.
You take the best part of the car away.
With the 502's in Top Stock Matt Morgan and I had the same HP.
He always ran the same ET but I would run a bit more speed. (I had a 12 bolt solid rear)
I have the feeling the IRS would run a bit quicker.How much, That's the question.

Bob Pagano · 08-10-2009, 06:53 PM

I have also ran some vettes, listen to Ken, go here and read. The Toms stuff works along with the Dragvette Products link system works. You even get halfshaft loops and drive shaft loop, all quality stuff.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/1...es_shafts.html

S/ST4707 · 08-10-2009, 07:00 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions. I will read up on both rear end solutions.

08-08-2009, 08:26 PM	#12
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker I recall the issues with the IRS Corvette rears a little. When Bernie Agamen built his Corvette he was given an ok to use a std solid rear axle. When he showed up at the racetrack the story changed and he had to change it back to the IRS type rear. He broke that thing numerous times as I recall. Now that was a big tire car and a 454 but they were not all that fast back then compared to today's stockers. I was pitted next to Muni Haddad at Maple Grove one year and they were workjing on the rear of their Corvette. I was wrestling with my own issues but on his next run Haddad crashed that car badly and went up and maybe over the guardrail. I heard it was a half shaft failure......I'd be hesitat to race one if it had a BB without using the solid rear... Personnaly I'd run the 350/300...Cam is pretty small but hey scads of guys run that cam and go fast with low compression 350's...Same cam.....Those cars are nice and make very nice racecars. There is a '68 327 for sale on this site I think.....Real nice loooking car..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 08-08-2009 at 08:34 PM.

08-09-2009, 04:21 PM	#15
S/ST4707 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker Guys, Now have finally decided to build a car I will go to a solid rear end. Chad, I will PM you to find out who you recommend for the solid rear end. Thanks for the input.

08-10-2009, 04:05 PM	#17
Bob Bender VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,733 Likes: 1,599 Liked 459 Times in 90 Posts	Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker [quote=Rich Biebel;134033]I recall the issues with the IRS Corvette rears a little. When Bernie Agamen built his Corvette he was given an ok to use a std solid rear axle. When he showed up at the racetrack the story changed and he had to change it back to the IRS type rear. He broke that thing numerous times as I recall. Now that was a big tire car and a 454 but they were not all that fast back then compared to today's stockers. I was pitted next to Muni Haddad at Maple Grove one year and they were workjing on the rear of their Corvette. I was wrestling with my own issues but on his next run Haddad crashed that car badly and went up and maybe over the guardrail. I heard it was a half shaft failure......I'd be hesitat to race one if it had a BB without using the solid rear... The half shift broke in the lights............he went a long way on his top......but he was "OK".......... __________________ Bob Bender 144 O/SA 2010-2012 National Record Holder

08-10-2009, 06:53 PM	#19
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 241 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker I have also ran some vettes, listen to Ken, go here and read. The Toms stuff works along with the Dragvette Products link system works. You even get halfshaft loops and drive shaft loop, all quality stuff. http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/1...es_shafts.html __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

08-10-2009, 07:00 PM	#20
S/ST4707 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1969 Corvette Stocker Thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions. I will read up on both rear end solutions.