The differential is a system of gears that allows different drive wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds, for example when your 1978 Chevrolet Corvette is turning. Your outer wheel travels a longer distance on a wide turning radius, therefor it needs to rotate faster. Without a differential the outer wheel would slip making your 1978 Chevrolet Corvette much harder to handle and wear your tires out at a dramatic rate.

When browsing for a differential there are different terminology you will run across and its important to understand what each one is. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) the differential is alongside the transmission inside a housing, and the unit is called a transaxle. Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles the differential is between the rear wheels and connected to the transmission by a driveshaft. All-wheel-drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles add a centre differential or a transfer case to distribute power front and rear.

The simplest and most common differential is the "open differential". It gained its name because the wheels can always turn independently of each other. Its main drawback is that if one wheel doesn’t have traction, such as if it hits ice, it still gets lots of power. It spins helplessly, and you go nowhere. To combat this situation, some manufacturers use electronic systems that detect spinning wheels without traction and send signals to partially engage brakes on that wheel to channel the engine’s power to the other wheel on solid ground. A hydraulic differential lock can be temporarily engaged in a difficult off-road situation when one of the drive wheels digs deeper into snow, mud, or sand.

If you are an enthusiast looking for better vehicle handling for cornering, faster acceleration on the street, strip or track then you may benefit from installing a high-performance ring and pinion set with different gear ratio’s. Browse our digital shelves for your 1978 Chevrolet Corvette to find a huge assortment of premium racing differentials and related components, such as durable and lightweight differential cases, housings, rings and pinions, spider gears, and much more.

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Dana 5-213X
Please Note:

Some images might not represent the actual product

Dana 5-213X U-Joints
for 1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL

$24.71

Save: $3.22
Sale Price:

$21.49

Estimated Ship Date: Today

In Stock - 7 New In Stock
EnginePositionFit NotesFitment Notes
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
 
At Transmission
 
Drivetrain: RWD
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
At Transmission Drivetrain: RWD
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
 
Rear Differential
 
Drivetrain: RWD
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
Rear Differential Drivetrain: RWD
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
 
At Transmission
 
Drivetrain: RWD
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
At Transmission Drivetrain: RWD
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
 
Rear Differential
 
Drivetrain: RWD
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
Rear Differential Drivetrain: RWD
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
 
At Transmission
 
Drivetrain: RWD
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
At Transmission Drivetrain: RWD
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
 
Rear Differential
 
Drivetrain: RWD
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
5.7L V8
Rear Differential Drivetrain: RWD
,
MOOG 329-10
Please Note:

Some images might not represent the actual product

MOOG 329-10 U Joint Fastener
for 1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL

$14.23

Save: $1.86
Sale Price:

$12.37

Estimated Ship Date: Today

In Stock - 27 New In Stock
EngineFit NotesFitment Notes
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
ALL
 
U-Joint Location: Differential
Drivetrain: RWD
With automatic transmission: With automatic transmission
fits U-joint 369.: fits U-joint 369.
With manual transmission: With manual transmission
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
ALL U-Joint Location: Differential
Drivetrain: RWD
With automatic transmission: With automatic transmission
fits U-joint 369.: fits U-joint 369.
With manual transmission: With manual transmission
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
ALL
 
U-Joint Location: Differential
Drivetrain: RWD
With automatic transmission: With automatic transmission
fits U-joint 369.: fits U-joint 369.
With manual transmission: With manual transmission
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
ALL U-Joint Location: Differential
Drivetrain: RWD
With automatic transmission: With automatic transmission
fits U-joint 369.: fits U-joint 369.
With manual transmission: With manual transmission
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
ALL
 
U-Joint Location: Differential
Drivetrain: RWD
With automatic transmission: With automatic transmission
fits U-joint 369.: fits U-joint 369.
With manual transmission: With manual transmission
 
1978 Chevrolet Corvette ALL equipped with
ALL U-Joint Location: Differential
Drivetrain: RWD
With automatic transmission: With automatic transmission
fits U-joint 369.: fits U-joint 369.
With manual transmission: With manual transmission