I recently came across a 3.73 posi rearend off of a 77 caprice classic. I was curious to know if this will fit on a 3rd gen camaro. I didn't want to take my rear end off and it not fit...if this won't fit what rear ends will fit on a camaro, anyone know? The gear ratio really isn't that big of a deal since I don't drag much, I just want a posi rear.

 

I dont know what a 77 would come with, I would imagine a leaf spring set up. If so, no it will not.

 

The only way to fit that rear in your car is to chop off all the brackets and weld 82+ F-body brackets on. And then it STILL won't be the right length.

Any rear from any 1982 or newer F-body will bolt right in, but the 4th gen rears are a little longer and will make your wheels stick out a little (unless you go to 4th gen offset wheels.)

 

I was reading somewhere that only the 82-02 F-Body rears had provision for the torque arm, so other rears won't work.
Correct me if I am wrong.

 

Your probably better off getting a rear off a 3rd gen f-body

 

whats wrong w/ just putting in a posi-traction unit it the rear end u have in it now?

 

IMO its almost a waste of money to build up the 10 bolts that come in 3rd gens

 

Why Darth? If you use the late style 28-spline axles and diff it's the same 10-bolt that came in the 4th gens (just a few inches shorter.) I admit they won't hold up to 500hp even when modded, but how many people run 500hp on the street anyway? And he's not gonna get 500hp out of that iron-headed 355 unless he goes to forced induction/nitrous anyway. Chris already said he doesn't drag much, so he doesn't need a rear that can handle 1.5 60' times all day long.....why spend more than necessary?


Chris I'd recommend picking up a Zexel-Torsen posi unit and sticking it in your stock rearend. It'll be much cheaper than swapping the whole housing and you won't have to deal with speedo calibration issues and loss of gas mileage. You can stick a TA cover on it while you have it open and it will hold up to street use for a loooong time. Slicks will severely shorten it's life, though.


BTW Zepher, you're exactly right. Only the F-bodies use a torque arm...other passenger cars use an upper/lower control arm setup.

 

I guess I just dont have much faith in them. I managed to eat a couple with the lame *** 305 in mine now, so I dont put much stock in them.

But I guess I may have just gotten bad ones, and I ussually trust your advice, so if you say that they can take it I believe you.

 

I don't think I know enough to take the guts out of a rear end and put them in mine(and it work). I've never messed with the axle, just put oil in it when it was low .

 

The 10bolts are extremely week. One good launch and the gears are toast. My brothers been through 11 sets of gears, all installed perfectly by 3 different shops. Also, it was in 3 different housings as well. They will break, it's just a matter of when.
Here are 3 pinions before I tossed them,

 

77 Caprice should have the 8.5 corporate diff, same as used on 71-81 F bods. If you can get it cheap, and the internals are in good shape, buy it and sell off the posi and gears to someone who wants to upgrade the 2.41 one legger under his 2nd gen. You sure it's a 3.73? I don't think that gear was available in those cars from the factory.

Search the for sale sections here and at nasty Z28 to see what these parts are selling for to see if it's worth your time.

 

hmm. This brings up good points. Since that rearend won't fit, does anyone else have any more ideas on a good rearend that'll drop in place. It kind of freaks me out about swapping gears out because I don't know a whole lot about the backend of camaros. The engine and tranny I can do, I've just NEVER messed with a rearend. I think I'd rather change it now in favor a stronger end. so anymore opinions will help .

 

If that's the case I highly recommend the Borg-Warner 9-bolt. It's a lot tougher than a 10-bolt but not nearly as expensive as a 9" or 12-bolt. It also bolts right in. The downside is the price of parts....a gearset will run you about $300 if you want to change ratios. The posi parts are fairly expensive too, so make SURE you get one with a decent ratio (3.27/3.45/3.70) and a good posi. The '89 model also came with better brakes so that's something to look for. Run a search, they've been highly debated here and at TGO.

I'm running a 3.70 ratio 9-bolt now....got it for $430 shipped from Hawk's 3rd gen with all the disc brake hardware and ebrake cables and everything still attached. It even still had good pads! (Although I replaced them on principle.....)



Darth: They can take it pretty well, as long as you don't get traction on the launch.