Axle upgrade package - axles, studs, nuts, Yukon/ARP/Dorman Options

[00 SS]

I'm surprised they discontinued the LS1 version and not the LT1 version since the LS1 would have worked in all 4th cars without modifications. I think they goofed.

[Blainefab]

I'm surprised they discontinued the LS1 version and not the LT1 version since the LS1 would have worked in all 4th cars without modifications. I think they goofed.

I agree - BUT, I've seen other mfr axles in a LT1 housing with the smaller LS1 hub dims. I get a Superior shipment in next week - if they discontinued the lowest wholesale cost part number, and then "updated" the LT1 hub dims to be universal, it would have been a sneaky way to do a 50% price hike.

[Blainefab]

OK, I got my shipment of Superior axles in and have been mulling over the changes they made to them. Good news is that they did reduce the diameter of the hub to match the LS1 dimension, so these will fit LT1 or LS1 or Corvette wheels without modification.

They did away with the reluctor flange, so will not work on a TCS car with ABS/TCS functional.

The change that had me concerned is that they made the stepdown from major to minor diameter near the hub end instead of at the spline end, so for about 20" of the shaft length, the diameter is 1.245" vs 1.340" dia for OEM or old Superior axles.

An engineer I trust feels that the midspan of the shaft is not the most highly stressed area, and Superior says they have had no issues with them, so I'm going to let my customers decide if they want to purchase or not.

Alloy is still 1541, journal dia is the same, spline dia is the same, splines are still rolled. Stud mounting flange is slightly thicker than old Superior or OEM.

These axle are 1# lighter than OEM, and 2# lighter than the old Superior.

Old Superior on left, new Superior in the middle, OEM on right:
bigger pics here: big pics

(IMG:http://www.blainefabrication.com/products/wheel_spacer/IMG_2560.JPG)

[TSHACK]

OK, I got my shipment of Superior axles in and have been mulling over the changes they made to them. Good news is that they did reduce the diameter of the hub to match the LS1 dimension, so these will fit LT1 or LS1 or Corvette wheels without modification.

They did away with the reluctor flange, so will not work on a TCS car with ABS/TCS functional.

The change that had me concerned is that they made the stepdown from major to minor diameter near the hub end instead of at the spline end, so for about 20" of the shaft length, the diameter is 1.245" vs 1.340" dia for OEM or old Superior axles.

An engineer I trust feels that the midspan of the shaft is not the most highly stressed area, and Superior says they have had no issues with them, so I'm going to let my customers decide if they want to purchase or not.

Alloy is still 1541, journal dia is the same, spline dia is the same, splines are still rolled. Stud mounting flange is slightly thicker than old Superior or OEM.

These axle are 1# lighter than OEM, and 2# lighter than the old Superior.

Old Superior on left, new Superior in the middle, OEM on right:
bigger pics here: big pics

(IMG:http://www.blainefabrication.com/products/wheel_spacer/IMG_2560.JPG)

Alan It also looks like the radius between the axle shaft dia & the hub taper/step is larger. which would be a good thing. Or I'm i seeing things again.

This post has been edited by TSHACK: Apr 3 2009, 02:18 AM

[Blainefab]

Surprise! Superior has re-activated the LS1 axle part number. I ordered some 6 weeks ago, not really expecting them to ship, but they showed up yesterday!

They are LS1 hub size, so fit all wheels, Fbod and Y bod. See above post, for pic - far left axle.
They have the larger dia shaft, so are the same weight or heavier than OEM.

They have the ABS reluctor flange, so will work in both TCS and non-TCS cars.

My cost has come down a bit, so I'm lowering the package price to $295
Package still includes 2 Superior axles, 10 ARP 2.5" long studs pressed in place, and 10 Dorman lug nuts. OEM thread size and pitch.

Bearings/seals/longer studs, etc also available. ARP 2.5" and 3.25" GM knurl, and 1/2" screw-in in stock. Dorman lugnuts in stock.

2 sets in stock, for shipment Monday.

More available, disti is showing 2 weeks, but probably longer. Price subject to change on orders beyond these 2 sets.

[mustbnutz]

Alan,
I'll take one of those sets.
I'll PM with contact info and we can work out the details.

[Rob Hood]

PM sent

[rlewi771]

Reviving an old thread here, Alan, what do you currently offer for a third gen axle package. I'll be using an Auburn Racers diff so I'll need 28 spline. Thanks

[Blainefab]

Reviving an old thread here, Alan, what do you currently offer for a third gen axle package. I'll be using an Auburn Racers diff so I'll need 28 spline. Thanks

I'll check pricing on that - so it's a 10 bolt, I believe late (90-92?) 3rd gen? Not a Dana, and not a 9bolt, right?

This post has been edited by Blainefab: May 7 2012, 11:53 AM

[rlewi771]

Reviving an old thread here, Alan, what do you currently offer for a third gen axle package. I'll be using an Auburn Racers diff so I'll need 28 spline. Thanks

I'll check pricing on that - so it's a 10 bolt, I believe late (90-92?) 3rd gen? Not a Dana, and not a 9bolt, right?

Exactly, a 10 bolt. The later ones (I think you're about right on the year range) got the 28 spline so I think there would be an offering for the third gen length with the 28 spline. Mine currently is a 26 spline, but the Racers diff only takes 28 spline, so it will be a good upgrade anyways. Thank you.

[Blainefab]

Reviving an old thread here, Alan, what do you currently offer for a third gen axle package. I'll be using an Auburn Racers diff so I'll need 28 spline. Thanks

I'll check pricing on that - so it's a 10 bolt, I believe late (90-92?) 3rd gen? Not a Dana, and not a 9bolt, right?

Exactly, a 10 bolt. The later ones (I think you're about right on the year range) got the 28 spline so I think there would be an offering for the third gen length with the 28 spline. Mine currently is a 26 spline, but the Racers diff only takes 28 spline, so it will be a good upgrade anyways. Thank you.

Yukon lists the 28 spline, 30 3/8" length axle 10bolt for the 91-92 Camaro - they are the same 1541H alloy steel as the 4th gen axles. Same price, listed below. My disti has local stock. UPS ground shipping to Reno $25, total $460 PayPal to: ablaine@cruzio.com add extra studs/nuts/etc for no extra shipping cost.


Package includes:
1 Pair Yukon Replacement Series axles for 93-02 4th gen non TC cars
or, 91-92 3rd gen 28 spline disc brake
10 ARP 100-7708 2.5" long wheel studs, pressed in place
10 Dorman short, open bulge lugnuts with 19mm (same as 3/4") hex

Cost is $435, plus shipping plus CA sales tax on orders shipped to CA address.

for the front, extra set of 10 ARP studs $32
for the front, extra set of 10 Dorman lugnuts $16

Extra long 3.25" ARP 100-7713 studs are available, set of 10 $72

[rlewi771]

or, 91-92 3rd gen 28 spline disc brake

My rear end was originally a drum brake rear. I have used drum to disc conversion plates from flynbyeperformance, will this matter? Was there a difference in axle shafts between a drum and a disc rear?

[Blainefab]

or, 91-92 3rd gen 28 spline disc brake

My rear end was originally a drum brake rear. I have used drum to disc conversion plates from flynbyeperformance, will this matter? Was there a difference in axle shafts between a drum and a disc rear?

My disti says they have no separate part number for the drum brake axle, and they have an app note that says 'disc brake axle works on drum brake'. The only difference may be OD of the hub will be different in order to index on a drum vs a disc.

Does the flynbye conversion change the hub dimension, or just adapt the backing plates to the caliper abutments?

[NU_BLUE]

I've got a question, Alan. I got those 1/2" spacers you sent me last week and I'm wondering if the 2.5" ARP studs are adequate. I wish I had a pic. The stud goes all the way through the nut with about ~1/16" or maybe 2 threads showing. To me that looks like about 1" of thread engagement.... Is that enough or do I need to get the longer ARP studs? I figure it is but I thought I'd ask.

This post has been edited by NU_BLUE: May 9 2012, 09:49 PM

[Blainefab]

I've got a question, Alan. I got those 1/2" spacers you sent me last week and I'm wondering if the 2.5" ARP studs are adequate. I wish I had a pic. The stud goes all the way through the nut with about ~1/16" or maybe 2 threads showing. To me that looks like about 1" of thread engagement.... Is that enough or do I need to get the longer ARP studs? I figure it is but I thought I'd ask.

Jeff - You are good - If there is any of the threaded portion of the stud sticking out past the nut then you have plenty of thread engagement. The ARP's are threaded all the way to the end, so easy to verify proper engagement visually. For other studs, OEM and Moroso, for example, with the bullet shaped starter nose, you have to count the number of turns of the nut to verify proper engagement.

The OEM nuts only have about 1/2 of their length threaded, I recommend replacing them at least once per season. The Dorman lugnuts that I stock are fully threaded, providing a little extra security, but I still life them out yearly.

FWIW a related topic that I just resolved with another customer - the ARP studs are not useable with closed end lug nuts - they are long enough that the nut will bottom on the stud before properly loading the wheel.

[rlewi771]

or, 91-92 3rd gen 28 spline disc brake

My rear end was originally a drum brake rear. I have used drum to disc conversion plates from flynbyeperformance, will this matter? Was there a difference in axle shafts between a drum and a disc rear?

My disti says they have no separate part number for the drum brake axle, and they have an app note that says 'disc brake axle works on drum brake'. The only difference may be OD of the hub will be different in order to index on a drum vs a disc.

Does the flynbye conversion change the hub dimension, or just adapt the backing plates to the caliper abutments?

It only adapts backing plates to caliper abutments. Come to think of it, I cant really recall how the fitment of the rotor is over the axle, nothing has ever struck me as incorrect about it. Either way, sounds like those axles will do the trick. Thank you for your time checking it out, when I have the funds together i'll give you a shout.

[GlennCMC70]

Alan, looks like I need a set of these for my LT1 CMC car. I'll send you a PM.

[Blainefab]

Alan, looks like I need a set of these for my LT1 CMC car. I'll send you a PM.

Glenn - I emailed you an estimate, will get firm pricing and leadtime Monday.

One thing I forgot to mention is that if you want to use spacers thicker than 5/8" you'll need the longer 3.25" ARP studs - I can put together the package with those instead of the 2.5" ARP's for +$40.

The CMC and AI track width allowances changed, for 2012 I think, and I've sold quite a few 3/4" and 1" spacers since.

[GlennCMC70]

Half inch spacers is plenty. Track for 4th gens went down to 74.

[Blainefab]

Alan, looks like I need a set of these for my LT1 CMC car. I'll send you a PM.

Glenn - The package price from last year is still good on these, and my disti has local stock. UPS gnd shipping to TX is $38:

I looked at using the TC spec axles, they have the ABS tone ring boss right where yours cracked, my SWAG is that the extra steel might prevent the cracking - but they are about 1/4" shorter than the non-TC axles, so won't work in a non-TC housing.

1 Pair Yukon Replacement Series 1541H steel axles for 93-97 4th gen non TC cars
10 ARP 100-7708 2.5" long wheel studs, pressed in place
10 Dorman short, open bulge lugnuts with 19mm (same as 3/4") hex

Cost is $435, plus shipping plus CA sales tax on orders shipped to CA address.

for the front, extra set of 10 ARP studs $32
for the front, extra set of 10 Dorman lugnuts $16

Extra long 3.25" ARP 100-7713 studs are available, set of 10 $72