Go Back   Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Transmissions and Drivetrain
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 10-19-2009, 10:17 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
80smetalfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 595
Car: 1989 Suburban / 1985 Cutlass 442
Engine: L05 350 / 455 Olds
Transmission: 700-R4 / 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi / 3.73 Posi

Classifieds Rating: (0)
442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

Howdy,

I just bought an '85 442 to replace my wrecked Cutlass and managed to snag an extra 80's 442 axle (a 8.5" 10-bolt with factory 4 link setup) for only $200 extra (the guy has a collection of 442s and parts). These usually go for about 4 to 5 times that much.

It's already 3.73s with a cone-clutch posi unit. My question is this:

I've searched and read a lot about putting 8.5s from trucks and 2nd gens into a 3rd gen, but has anyone tried/does anyone know about putting a 8.5 from a 442/GN/Regal T-type into 3rd gen. I will certainly get back into a 3rd gen at some point and I'm wondering if I should hold onto this or try to turn a few $$$ selling it to G-body enthusiasts and save for something else.

If I remember correctly, the truck and 2nd gen units were designed for leaf spring setups. This one was not....it was designed for a 4 link setup that I can't imagine is much different than factory 3rd gen stuff...but...I don't really know.

I can post pictures tonight if that would help.

Thanks!
80smetalfan is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 12:29 PM   #2
On Probation
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Logan, UT
Posts: 5,261
Car: '84 Trans Am WS6
Engine: LQ9 w/ Wegner LS6 heads
Transmission: 4L60E, seeking good used NV3550HD
Axle/Gears: 7.5" 3.23:1, posi, swapping to 8.5"

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

If you try to put this 442 axle in a third gen, you're still facing a lot of custom fabrication work.
Atilla the Fun is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 12:51 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
big gear head's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central City, KY.
Posts: 1,624

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

First, the G body rear end is quite a bit narrower than a 3rd gen rear end. Second, the suspension is NOTHING like a 3rd gen. Third, if some G body people found out that you screwed up a G body 8.5 by trying to put it in a 3rd gen they might try to hang you.
big gear head is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 01:39 PM   #4
On Probation
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Logan, UT
Posts: 5,261
Car: '84 Trans Am WS6
Engine: LQ9 w/ Wegner LS6 heads
Transmission: 4L60E, seeking good used NV3550HD
Axle/Gears: 7.5" 3.23:1, posi, swapping to 8.5"

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

Screw those people, they have NO right to say what you can do with your axle, nor punish you for what you do with / to your axle.
Atilla the Fun is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 02:04 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
80smetalfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 595
Car: 1989 Suburban / 1985 Cutlass 442
Engine: L05 350 / 455 Olds
Transmission: 700-R4 / 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi / 3.73 Posi

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

Quote:
Originally Posted by big gear head View Post
First, the G body rear end is quite a bit narrower than a 3rd gen rear end. Second, the suspension is NOTHING like a 3rd gen. Third, if some G body people found out that you screwed up a G body 8.5 by trying to put it in a 3rd gen they might try to hang you.
Yeah...and that's AFTER they put me in front of a firing squad for putting a built small block Chevy into a numbers matching 442 car. :P
So how much narrower is narrower? Could I pull it off with some longer studs and spacers? And what kind of differences are we looking at with control arms and such?
80smetalfan is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 06:12 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
big gear head's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central City, KY.
Posts: 1,624

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

Why not just use a truck housing or a Caprice? Get some good money out of the 442 rear end and put it into another one. The 442 rear end has 28 spline axles and a Traction Lock. You can get something stronger than that. If you get the '99 or later truck housing you will also get larger differential bearings. You could also use a 9 inch Ford, which would be easier to fabricate the brackets and weld it together.

Last edited by big gear head; 10-19-2009 at 08:07 PM.
big gear head is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2010, 11:49 PM   #7
NBC
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 12

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

I just got a 10 bolt out of a truck for free. I want to build a rearend how I want it while mine is still in the car so it's still driveable. Then just swap them out and be done. The one I just squires is out of an 85 four wheel drive but I was told that it has six lug axles. I'm putting it in an 89 rs camaro. Is this an easy swap or not with it.
NBC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2010, 12:36 AM   #8
Banned
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,214
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

Quote:
Originally Posted by NBC View Post
I just got a 10 bolt out of a truck for free. I want to build a rearend how I want it while mine is still in the car so it's still drivable. Then just swap them out and be done. The one I just squires is out of an 85 four wheel drive but I was told that it has six lug axles. I'm putting it in an 89 rs camaro. Is this an easy swap or not with it.
Far from easy.

You'll be switching from a leaf spring suspension to a torque arm suspension.

It'll take a lot of custom fabrication to get it anywhere near usable. And if your welds aren't good or you get the pinion angle wrong? Bye bye bearings....
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2010, 12:39 AM   #9
Moderator
 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 13,966
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 582 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

It doesn't matter what diff it's from. If it's not from a third or fourth gen, it's not going to be a simple swap. The most difficult part of any foreign diff swap into a third gen is how to mount the torque arm. The G-body triangulated 4-link would be much harder to design and fabricate into a third gen. There just isn't a good enough framework or room under the car to do it properly.

Sell the diff to someone with a G-body and use the money to buy a nice aftermarket direct bolt in diff if you need something stronger than the factory diff. It will be a lot easier and cheaper in the long run.
__________________
Hardtail Racing
All engine, no power adders! Bests: 9.029@150.45 (at altitude)
Theoretical sea level performance 8.623@157.05
AlkyIROC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2010, 11:31 AM   #10
NBC
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 12

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

Just curious will any of the internals work?? I have like 2.79 or 2.89 gears and it really isn't working for me,and my wallet is getting a little light. After the engine mods.
NBC is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2010, 11:50 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
big gear head's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central City, KY.
Posts: 1,624

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen

The 3rd gen F body uses a 7.5 inch 10 bolt rear end. None of the parts from the 8.5 rear end will work in the 7.5.
big gear head is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2010, 11:50 AM
ThirdGen
1992 Camaro




Paid Advertisement


Reply

Go Back   Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Transmissions and Drivetrain

Tags
10, 3rd, 454, 85, bolt, camaro, dealer, end, ends, engineering, gen, housing, main, missouri, moser, rear
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

 


1982 Camaro '82 || 1983 Camaro '83 || 1984 Camaro '84 || 1985 Camaro '85 || 1986 Camaro '86 || 1987 Camaro '87 || 1988 Camaro '88 || 1989 Camaro '89 || 1990 Camaro '90 || 1991 Camaro '91 || 1992 Camaro '92


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright © 1997 - 2012 ThirdGen.org. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the expressed, documented, and written consent of ThirdGen.org's Administrators.

Emails & Contact Details