Opinions on 10 bolt options - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

akmusclecar · 03-03-2009, 05:20 PM

Ok guys here is the deal. My 88 Firebird DID have Posi until a few weeks ago. The driver side tire makes a clicking sound while the passenger tire spins. I called a shop to see what it would cost to rebuild the diff ( worst case scenerio ).

$1750-1800

. This seems a little steep to me. So My other option is buying a diff from car-part.com and having it trucked up here to Alaska. ( shipping is going to kill me

). So my question is what should i look for when it comes to the donor diff? I found a 9 bolt in Cleveland OH for $300 shipping not included. I am at a loss as to what to do

It doesn't help that i was recently laid off from work. Well any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

-Russ

JamesC · 03-03-2009, 05:27 PM

There may be info in the following link which will help you come to a decision--at least where the 10-bolt is concerned:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/tr...-10-bolts.html

JamesC

big gear head · 03-03-2009, 06:03 PM

Do you have a 10 bolt or a 9 bolt? It makes a difference because of the parts that are available for each one. What gear ratio do you have? Disc brakes?

akmusclecar · 03-03-2009, 06:10 PM

I have a 10 bolt posi drum unit with the 3.08 gears. I am trying to figure out what rear would be the best option. I know the 9 bolt is hard to find parts to rebuild it. I can't remember what style posi i should be careful about (cone style), what years used the cone style posi?

big gear head · 03-03-2009, 06:18 PM

The 3rd gen Camaro and Firebird 10 bolt didn't get a good posi. They all had the Auburn or Governor Lock. The Eaton is the one that you want. It is rebuildable and can be tuned to meet your needs. It will also last a lot longer than the others.

akmusclecar · 03-03-2009, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the info reply. If i go with a 4th gen rear, does it matter if it is a traction controlled one or not? And would it matter if it was a ABS rear? I know i wouldn't be able to utilize either system, but it would be easier than trying to find a posi, non TC, w/3.42's.

Sonix · 03-03-2009, 06:26 PM

A NEW, good posi is $500. An install kit is about $100.
A shop can install that for 4hrs labor max ($100hr say), if you re-re the rear for them.
Or you can buy the tools and do it yourself, and pay around $700 total for the deal. That's a good posi. Used on ebay, power trax, etc are less....

big gear head · 03-03-2009, 07:12 PM

You can use the 4th gen rear end. A new Eaton would be around $420.