87silverbullet

iTrader: (11)

I am helping a buddy of mine replace the diff from a 2.73 to a 3.42 and I am trying to see if I could gain enough clearance to just drop the trans a little and pull the rear off and put the new one in?

I really don't want to have to pull the whole thing out if I don't have to.

feeder82

Yes no problem just watch the clearance between the back of the intake and the cowl when you lower the TT

87silverbullet

iTrader: (11)

Cool, thats what I needed to know. I pulled a few before when I worked at the dealer but that was over 12 years ago.

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

Like Feeler82 said you can lower diff/trans torque tube assembly enough to get the differential of the transmission and still have enough clearance between the engine and the firewall. I have done it this way quite a few times.

Larry

iTrader: (4)

Are you installing a Z06 differential? I've been looking over six months for one and can't find. The C6 3.42 won't fit. The Z06 requires minimal modification.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

I was thinking that it was actually a C5 automatic that they were working on (though I might be wrong in assuming that), upgrading the base C5 automatic's 2.73s to a manual's 3.42 which can be done much easier in C5s then it can in our automatic C6s.

Larry

iTrader: (4)

You may be right. I guess we were both assuming!

87silverbullet

iTrader: (11)

Yeah its a z06 diff from a c5. We found it on a google search in a corvette only junkyard in Picayune, MS. If you call them make sure they don't try to rip you off. They have $650 on their site and when we called they told us $1350, we told them F U and then they came down when we told them they had $650 on their site.

Yeah we are upgrading a c5 automatic from the 2.73 to 3.42.

Didn't the c6 auto's come with 2.56? I'm not really a vette guy so I don't know.

87silverbullet

iTrader: (11)

How long did it take you to the point of getting access to unbolt it?

When I took out the torque tube and all it took me a little over 2 hours on a lift at the dealer years ago.

Hopefully its like riding a bike, you never forget.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

Yes, the only ratio available in 2006/2007 was the 2.56s. In 2008/2009 a 2.73 rear became optional on base automatics and standard/part of the package on Z51 optioned automatics.
In 2010 all base automatics again came with 2.56s with the only way to get 2.73s being to order a Grand Sport automatic which came standard with the 2.73s, which is how it still is to this day.

paint it black vette

step it up put a set of 3.73 and a 3600 stall before you install and snap some necks

87silverbullet

iTrader: (11)

If thats the case we wouldn't be putting in a whole diff. It's just easier for us to swap it.

The converter will be later down the road and a cam will go in also.

BigMilan312

iTrader: (1)

You don't have to remove everything, just lower it enough to get the old diff off and new one on

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

It took me roughly an hour or so. Once you get back in there it will come to you. It is not bad at all but I have done a ton of trans/diffs/clutches in vettes so it is kind of like second nature.

Larry

iTrader: (4)

An hour to take it out and maybe an hour and a half to reinstalled. And a dealer here in Houston quoted me $700 to change out a differential in my 08.

Imstock2

iTrader: (6)

Yea 700$ for removal/install on a diff is about average... that's the corvette tax...

Red99TA

iTrader: (11)

$650...that seems steep. I bought a used C5Z diff last year for $400 that's just sitting in my garage as a spare.

87silverbullet

iTrader: (11)

Yeah. I looked on ebay and the classifieds on here and couldn't find anything . Ebay had them for 600 but the shipping would of put it over 700. I found that junk yard which was a 20 minute drive away. Plus that diff had low miles. The ebay ones had like 90k+ miles.

Update: The diff is in and the LT's are on. He has the XS Power 3 inch mufflers on. He was supposed to go to the dyno yesterday but couldn't make it. i think he is going to go next week.