ERICSCHEVY

Just had a general question for my friend in regards to his 1962 Nova..... Will a complete rear end from a 1969 Chevelle fit onto his 1962 Nova ?

AlkyIROC

You might want to try asking on a Nova web site but I'd say no. They're probably different lengths. The Nova uses leaf springs and the Chevelle uses coil springs.

ERICSCHEVY

Hey , thanx for the quick reply ! I kinda figured that, but just wanted to make sure. On a different topic, I have a rear end form an 89 iroc, it is a 9-bolt with a posi. It has been running great, however ,I am about to install a 487 hp LT1. I don't know to much about these 9 bolts? Can a 9 bolt handle that kind of power or should I get a fourth gen rear end ?

AlkyIROC

The fourth gen diff is weaker. It has the same weakness as a third gen 10 bolt diff except it has stronger 28 spline axles. A fourth gen diff is just as strong as a 90-92 third gen diff which also has 28 spline axles. You can't put fourth gen axles in a third gen housing.

Third and fourth gen diffs and the 9 bolt have some strength but were never a real high performance differential. They will all break eventually. You roll the dice and take a chance.

I pushed a 9 bolt into the high 11's with 3.27 gears. I switched to a beefed up 10 bolt to get a better gear ratio and pushed it into the low 11's. I then installed a 9".

ERICSCHEVY

What rear end from what year car would you recommend ? Should I build up my 9 bolt ?

AlkyIROC

A diff from a 90-92 third gen is your best bet. It's unlikely you'll ever find a third gen Dana 44 since it was never in a factory production car. They were available from GM as an over the counter diff and were available in the SLP Firehawk. There are no other junkyard options for a stronger diff.

Your only other choices are an aftermarket 9", 12 bolt or Dana 60 designed to bolt into a third gen.

You can use the 9 bolt but replacement parts are expensive and hard to find as the diff is from Australia.

big gear head

The '62 Nova rear end is very narrow at 58 inches total. The Camaro rear ends are all wider, especially the later ones. The '78 to '87 G body rear ends are about the same width, but not very strong and the suspension is different. The '65 to '67 Nova rear ends will bolt in and are better than the '62 rear end.

kent624

i was thinking of putting the diff from my 90 bird v6 but are the gear ratios better meaning shorter for better acceleration? And can that handle a stock 305