I know that a gear swap is something that can cause big problems if done incorrectly, my question really is how hard is it actually to do? I know people that have done it and had no problems and people who have done it and had the opposite result... kaboom.

 

Actually swapping in new gears is not hard to do (in my opinion and experience). I swapped a posi carrier into my car that a friend found me for $20, for kicks. I had to take everything out except the pinion, and put it back. That was all fine.

I think having everything working well afterward is very uncertain from what I have heard. Like you said, some people I know had a fine install and some have had nightmares, even from a shop.

So this is why I personally don't ever want to try it. The risk of me screwing something up somehow with the gear lash isn't worth it to me. Knowing me, I'd find some way to do it wrong.

Not hard to do but it seems fickle in the end. Just my take on it.

Edit: I don't think I made much sense there :blah: It's been a long time of staying up studying for finals. What I wanted to say is that the physical install is very doable, but having is work problem-free afterward is not.

 

Pulling the gears and changing is a cake walk actually. You could have it done in a few hours (pinion is a bit of a PITA). It's getting the shims, backlash and pattern set correctly which takes experience. More importantly you have to have the right tools. That's the biggest problem for most people. You need a bearing puller, press, and backlash dial indicator. The first two tools are expensive but the dial indicator can be had for $45. I sold mine to shoebox.

 

Mike^^^, I was potentially going to get a used set of 3.42's from a guy recently to put into my car, but I would have had to use a spacer behind the ring gear........................I was told NOT to do that by more than one person, because like you were told, with longer bolts being used, they were more prone to snapping --- it actually happened to my dad's friend's Chevelle at the track! Considering the "weakness factor" of the 7.5" rear end already, I opted for a gear set intended for the 2-series carrier. HTH

 

Moving to LS1 Tech...

 

I wouldn't try it yourself unless you've got someone there to show you how to adjust everything.

The install is simple ... the setup is a pain.