Hey guys, my uncle has a 95 LT1 Camaro and he just blew the rear end. What is a good differential and axle set up for this car? What size is the stock differential and what gears does it have? How many spline? Is there anything else my uncle would need besides the axles and differential for the install? I told him he might as well upgrade while he's in there, so we're trying to find a good setup. I'm a Ford Mustang owner so I don't know too much about Camaro's. But I do love these cars . Who said Ford and Chevy couldn't get along lol. Anyway, thanks for any help guys!

Tanner

 

If he's got some money, a 12-bolt rear end from Strange (or Moser, but I'm leaning towards Strange for my own) is a lot stronger than the factory 10-bolt rear. It'll cost about $2000-2500 depending on options (posi, traction control) and will come as a fully assembled rear with whatever gear ratio he wants.

There are other less expensive options, but the factory 7.6" 10-bolt is known to be weak, and if he broke it once, he'll break it again. The 12-bolt isn't quite as strong as a Ford 9", but it's lighter, less expensive, and delivers more power to the wheels (i.e. less driveline loss). Unless your uncle has visions of 800+ RWHP, a 12-bolt will suit him fine.

 

If he wants to know what gears he has, he can check his door jamb or glove box for the RPO codes sticker and compare to this:
A4
GU2 - 2.73 (2 series)
GU5 - 3.23 (3 series)

M6
GU6 - 3.42 (3 series)

 

If he gets a 12 bolt differential, does it have to be a 7.6" to fit with the stock driveshaft and U-joint? I don't see why a Moser unit could cost $2000, because I've seen some Detroit Lockers for like $700.

How many spline do the stock axles have? What axles would be a good upgrade? 31 spine?

 

there's 2 new axles to come to the market for our cars.

1 is a ford 9" direct bolt on with a moser pumpkin

second is what i'm going with and that's a dana 60. it's only 1700 decently prepped (spool and 33 spline axles, any gear you want from dana) and can be about 400 cheaper than moser or strange, both of which have whine and clutch problems. the dana can be equipped with the 3 or 4 series carrier, locker or LSD or spool, any gearing you want, enough ***** to handle just about anything you can throw at it until you hit 9's. and it's bolt on, no mods needed except maybe moving the PHR back a little for clearance.

 

you'll need a new DS...well, it's suggested. the u-joint options arent small enough to include the dinky joint that comes on the stock piece. you either get a 1310 or a 1350 u-joint option. you could convert from stock on one side to 1310/50 on the other but then that would be the weak point and you'll likely shear the joint if you have enough power to need a 12 bolt. it's only about 250 for a new ds so i'd rather get the new one. i bought one off ebay that was a stock shaft with a 1350 yoke and joint installed. 100 bucks.

 

Where do you get some of the info you post?

The 9-inch has been available for the 4th Gens for at least 8 years, hardly "new".

Since when do Strange and Moser 12-bolts suffer from "whine and clutch problems"? It's the Dana 60 that everyone is complaining about being very noisy. Both the 12-bolts can be equipped with a 3 or 4 series carriers, run the Eaton HD posi, a locker or spool. The Strange 12-bolt is a total direct bolt-in, including stock DS length (although if you have enough power to justify an upgraded rear, you probably want more than the stock DS strength and the stock front slide clearance).

 

Its not a "12 bolt differential" for $2,000.... its a complete rear axle assembly, with things like the 8.875" ring gear, heavy duty axles, c-clip eliminators, full welded axle tubes, etc.

 

I went with the Moser 12 bolt and options. It was approx $2700.00 shipped complete with 33 spline axels. Also went for the Detroit Tru-trac diff option with 3,73 gears. I destroyed the little 7 1/2 Zexel-torsen. So far, it's been running good, and, I like the rear torque bias of the geared diff case. Good for the street and especially corners.

 

get a 9 inch, i just ordered mine after destroying my stock one twice in 3 months, got a moser 9 inch, 35 spline full spool with everything needed to install for around 2400, if you dont want a full spool itll cost a little more, but if you plan on making and real power in the future 9 inch is the way to go