doing a rear end swap... 3channel/4channel/tc questions

Im getting a rear end out of a 2002 SS with 3.42s... I dont know traction control and im not sure if this rear end does either, but i can find out. I also dont know if its a 3 or 4 channel ABS... How can i find out if mine is 3 or 4 channel ABS?

If i have a 3 channel, and that has a 4 channel can it still be put on my car? Also what if it has traction control? Like i said i dont have traction control...

I really want this rear end cause im getting it dirt cheap, i just need to know if I have to the EXACT same stuff as that rear end does... Thanks!

You should really get a rear-end with the same options as your current one. If you have TCS and the new rear-end doesn't, that won't work same thing for vice versa.
AFAIK, the 2002 rear-end is a 4 channel and yours is a 3 channel. I'm pretty sure that also won't work.

Damn... anyway to make this work? like deleting the ABS? if so, how?

I believe you can make it work but you have to delete your ABS. There is a way to put a diff. rear in your car and keep the ABS but it is kind of involved. I will let everyone know how it goes when and if i complete it.

Originally posted by Nox1d3
Damn... anyway to make this work? like deleting the ABS? if so, how?

deleteing the abs, ha. Just hook it up. When the ABS realizes the sensors aren't working right it will just set off your light and won't interfere with anything. It'll work fine, u just won't have ABS.

If you want to make a four channel axle compatible with a 3 channel car you just have to bore the metric sized hole in the top of the differential and add a $20 tone ring to the ring gear.

I swapped a 4channel rear into my non TC car.

-brent

deleteing the abs, ha. Just hook it up. When the ABS realizes the sensors aren't working right it will just set off your light and won't interfere with anything. It'll work fine, u just won't have ABS.

If you want to make a four channel axle compatible with a 3 channel car you just have to bore the metric sized hole in the top of the differential and add a $20 tone ring to the ring gear.

I swapped a 4channel rear into my non TC car.

-brent

How did that work out for you. I did the same and have the ABS light on. How exactly can I make this work?

-Dustin-

You will need ls1 rear brakes too. The lt1 stuff wont ever get aligned right on ls1 rear.

How about a 4 channel LT1 rear?

-Dustin-

Cant give you a good answer there. I went from 3 channel lt1 rear to 3 channel ls1. I shimmed here and shimmed there on the lt1 brakes to get them on and working. It would still go through a set pads in a few months. The alignment of where the rotor sits vs the caliper is different on ls1 to lt1.

I finally bit the bullet and bought ls1 brakes. No issues since.

For the 4 channel swap above....
Just an idea, just run one of the 2 rear channels into your single channel. It will only read the one sensor then, but should pulse correctly.

Thats what my buddy said to do, just make a custom plug for it and as long as it got a signal it would work again. See thread in Brake section.

-Dustin-

Cant give you a good answer there. I went from 3 channel lt1 rear to 3 channel ls1. I shimmed here and shimmed there on the lt1 brakes to get them on and working. It would still go through a set pads in a few months. The alignment of where the rotor sits vs the caliper is different on ls1 to lt1.

I finally bit the bullet and bought ls1 brakes. No issues since.

For the 4 channel swap above....
Just an idea, just run one of the 2 rear channels into your single channel. It will only read the one sensor then, but should pulse correctly.


Surely you changed the backing plates???? I put a rear from a 1999 in mine..........changed the backing plates on the rear and have had NO problems.

wow this is an old thread

Surely you changed the backing plates???? I put a rear from a 1999 in mine..........changed the backing plates on the rear and have had NO problems.

I tried using both LT1 and LS1 backing plates. My experience dealing with this was on a 12 bolt, maybe thats where the difference lies?

For the 4 channel swap above....
Just an idea, just run one of the 2 rear channels into your single channel. It will only read the one sensor then, but should pulse correctly.

I'm getting under there tomorrow to make it work. I'll let you know how that helps.

-Dustin-

I have heard the single wheel sensor works.

I have a 4 channel in my 3 channel car. I was going to try the one wheel sensor to see if it works, just having a slight problem locating one. Think I have to hit the dealer.

FWIW I heard it plugs right into the same harness as your 3 channel ABS.

Hmm, plug and play would be ideal, got anymore info on that?

-Dustin-

Well I got under the car and there is no plug/sensor in the housing like on my old one. I am now lost for trying to make it work.

-Dustin-

The sensor is at the hubs behind the rotors. Did the rear you got come with the sensors?

I dont think it has any sensors. I thought it had one up top but evidently that was my old one.

I think it was out of a 1996 LT1, but I'll have to talk to Cantonracer to verify it. Darkhorse has some LS1 rear brakes I might be able to swap with, perhaps thats the way to go?

-Dustin-

I really want this rear end cause im getting it dirt cheap, i just need to know if I have to the EXACT same stuff as that rear end does... Thanks!

Get the rear dirt cheap and sell it for a competitive price??:shrug: A little extra cash never hurt. Maybe even use it to buy the correct rear.

My $0.02

So I know for sure my old rear had a plug in the stop for ABS. I believe this was 3 channel. The rear I have now, has no such plug and I have access to LS1 brakes, backing plates, and axles. Can I make this work with just those or do I need a whole new ABS unit, parts, etc?

I ask because without ABS I am starting to eat up front pads real quick and it seems the rears arent even braking. The car overall slows like a 100 ton freight train.

-Dustin-

Get the rear dirt cheap and sell it for a competitive price??:shrug: A little extra cash never hurt. Maybe even use it to buy the correct rear.

My $0.02

I posted this thread almost 2 1/2 years ago.. i solved this issue llllooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggg ago. :eek:

Yea, and now I am exploiting his thread to fix my problem :D

-Dustin-

whore! jk have fun... i think i'll unsubscribe to it though :p

Nice times for your car, I just noticed them. I wish I had traction last season so I could see 12's. Thanks to my Nitto's I hope to be there in the spring.

-Dustin-