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I am about to buy some parts to install a 2.73 gearset in my differential. I was wondering if the 2.73 will fit? This car is a 1982 Camaro 5.0 (not z28). Automatic 3 speed. 700r4 coming soon.
Also, I have enclose a photo of a parts list I'm going to purchase after I get some feedback on what I need/don't need. I need to get the pattern compound obviously. I'm open to any suggestions anybody has for my rear end. Hit me up with some good news!
I'm not sure what is in there right now. The bolt for the spider gear broke, and I figured I'd just replace it with something that would get me better gas mileage. I'm not worried about cost too much. If I can save a few dollars, cool... but I want to make it all simple, get the right parts, and start pullin gears and packin bearings
Here is a photo of my differential. I have read that some differentials only take 3.73 and above. I'd hate to waste my time finding out the hard way that a 2.73 won't fit.
count your pinion teeth and ring gear teeth, then divide. thats your gear ratio.
if i had to guess, i'd say you have an open/non-posi, 2.73, 10-bolt already? you'll see better gas mileage when you go to a 4 speed auto.
drum brake rear?
theres a bit more than just swapping gears. have you done this before?
before i spent that much money on an open rear, i'd want a different carrier or install the powertrax type unit.
theres other guys who know more than i about what your trying to do and give great advise.
i personally would be hitting a junkyard if i wanted an open 2.73. probably get one for under $100 easy.
I haven't done this before. I have most of the tools and a press to get the job done. I've watched a 10 Bolt rebuild video a few times through and have the confidence to do this. I want all new parts, as I plan on driving my Camaro for a while.
I can't seem to find the spider gears and the pin/bolt on any hardware sites. Is the spider gear called another name?
You MUST figure out what gears you have right now before going any farther. If you have a 3.23 to 3.73 then you will need to replace the differential too. You can not put 2.73 gears on a differential that had 3.23 to 3.73 gears. There is no point in trying to answer any more questions until you figure out what you already have.
Going to a 2.73 may not get you any better fuel mileage. If you have an overdrive transmission then the 2.73 might load the engine too much and actually make your fuel mileage worse.
The retaining bolt is available almost anywhere. You can get them from GM for about $5 and you can get them off of the HELP board at just about any auto parts store.
I went from 2.73 to 3.73 in my car and its much more responsive and I only lost maybe 1mpg. At 60 mph with the 700r4 I'm only pulling 2200 RPM. I wouldn't have any gear less than 3.23. 3.42 would be the perfect choice
In my opinion you are wasting a ton of your time and money if you buy that list of parts. If I were you I would look for a used rear end and replace the whole assembly. A 2.73 rear is not very desirable and I'm sure you could pick one up in great shape for under $200. And swapping a rear end is much, much easier than replacing the gears
I got lots of good information from all of you. I find security in buying newer parts. I feel safer about my ride that way. I'm sure junkyard ones are good too, but I'm nuts when it comes to keeping things in perfect condition.
As for my rebuild... I'm going to hold off. I'm going to try replacing the shaft bolt first and see if that does the trick. I'll keep you all posted as to what happens to my car.
Thanks for all the info everyone!
I saw a screen shot of a Yukon set for $309, that isn't a good price.
More than once, in Camaros with V8s and 700R4s, I've seen mpg improve when swapping from 2.73 to 3.08 rear gears, and it improves acceleration also.
I have tried used gears many times, never once regretted it.
I have a 94 Camaro with over 310,000 miles on it, the rear gears show no measurable wear, the backlash is still at 0.007", so no worries about running them another 300k miles.
You can find used gears on eBay for $60 shipped, in all the boring ratios. You never see 3.73s for that price, but plenty of the 3.42-2.73 choices.
And for an 82 LG4 Camaro, non-Z28, with the automatic, the only axle offered was 2.73
I'm a bit off the topic, but since you mentioned it, check my posting history ever since I first registered here, and notice how I often skip weeks at a time, because of my work.
If you are referring to my leaving the LSx swap subforum angry and hurt, well, I am done with trying that. If you are one of the ones who bashed that idea, then you should go away and stay away.
To everyone else, I still have a third gen and a lot of helpful knowledge to contribute.
I'm a member of this forum due to the fact that I'm a 3rd Gen fanatic. This forum has been a great resource for information.
I'm headed to Harbor Freight tonight to buy a few tools and start the bolt replacement in the morning. If the fix works, I'll be installing an in-dash nav unit tomorrow afternoon. My long term plan for the car is to get a 700r4 and also install a slightly higher gear ratio than I currently have.
Cosmick, I am a regular visitor to SLC. Gimme a shout if you ever want to try paragliding. I can hook it up for ya
Some of you had mentioned that I could get a whole junkyard rear-end? That's not a bad idea at all. I don't know anything about 8.5 vs. 9.5. I'm guessing I should do the upgrade and get the 9.5? Sorry for my ignorance, but I hope I'm asking the right questions.
Fair enough. Ya learn something every day. I'm not too mechanically inclined, but have seen a rebuild video a few times. I'm going to sit on the car for another day or two and decide if I am better off taking it to a mechanic. I'm probably better off doing that, seeing as how I don't exactly know what I'm doing
where do you live? (your profile isnt finished).
maybe somebody on here might have a rear for sale, or find you one in your area?
or even perhaps give you a hand?
That noise is not a problem. The differential gears (the 4 gears inside the case) are not suppose to turn fast against each other. They are only suppose to turn slightly as you turn a corner. They are not suppose to move much at all. The ring gear and pinion gear do turn fast as you drive. If there is a noise comong from the rear end it would be from those gears or a bearing.
Thanks for the tip on the profile completion. I got it all filled out now. I'm in Longmont, Colorado. I have found the local forum. Not too many people around my area with Third-Gens. I sent a local shop an email and asked for a quote on a rebuild. I do have a garage and some good tools. No press though. Not sure if I trust myself doing importantly calibrated repairs such as this. If anyone knows of any good contacts in Colorado, let me know. I'm joining the Colorado Camaro Club and going to their meeting next month in Denver. I'm sure I'll meet some cool cats at the meeting.
i'm not familiar with the area there but did a quick look on craigslist. heres a used posi rear complete with disc brakes. he's asking $225. maybe you can do some bargaining? or shop around?
Thanks for the info, Joe! I'm still new to this repair game. Luckily I have my own garage and don't mind buying a tool here and there. I'm going to go and look at this rear end tomorrow. Since I don't know much about these units, here's what I imagine I am looking for while inspecting this axle unit.
I'll probably want to turn the drums and listen to the wheel bearings.
Listen for irregular gear clicking in the differential.
Check wheel bearings/seals. (may have to take to a shop?)
Inspect brakes. (I have never done a brake job, but there's lots of youtube videos, right?)
Look for any dings, dents, rust, corrosion.
Open differential case and look at gears.
Missing anything?
I'll post an update tomorrow evening! Really glad I'm keeping motivated on this project and not letting it sit around!
sounds like your on the right track,....research, educate yourself, inspection.
one note, the link i posted was for a disk brake rear, (arguably better brakes). 2 things i would research are,..1, will i need to change the proportioning valve if going from drum to disk brakes? 2, is it a 3rd or 4th gen rear? the 4th gens are slightly wider. there's TONS of info in this forum if you do some research.
but if the rear is in good shape, it seems like a fair deal to step up to a posi, disk brakes, and possibly a better gear ratio all at the same time. looks like he's selling it with some extras already included too, like the torque arm, lower control arms, track bar, etc.
10-25-2016, 08:57 PM
