I have the stock(as far as I know)rear end in my car with 3.73s(If I am wrong please let me know). My buddy has a rear out of a 98 Z28 with 3.42s. I can have it for free. So I have a couple of questions.
1) Should I get it
2) Will my stock GTA rims fit
3) Which is the better rear end in terms of strength
4) If i do get it should I throw in my gears

Any info would be appreciated

Brian

 

**** if you get rid of the 373 give it to me cause what i have is 273 one wheel burn out geras and they suck
so if you get the 4th gen gears let me know on your old ones

 

YES!!!!

Even if you don't install it, that's at least $300 your firend just gave you.

If you just "think" you have 3.73s, you at least need to pull the diff cover and check to be sure...you may already have 3.42s if the rears been swapped.

Your wheels will fit but will stick out just a bit further than before.

I'd put my money on the 4th gen rear being a bit tougher, but it is still a 10 bolt, just like your present rear.

Throw the 3.73s in if you feel you need them, but to save some money, just get the 3.42 rear and trade it off for a 3.73. That will be cheaper than having gears installed unless you do it yourself.

My .02...Ed

 

I would do everything myself(my and my buddies). it is kind of cool because my buddy had a 95 V6 Camaro and bought that rearend, then he sold it and got his 98 Z28. So the rear end is just sitting there and he said I could use it if I wanted. So I thought I would check here to see which is best.
Thanks
Brian

 

3.42's are stronger than 3.73's (2.73's are stronger than 3.42's LOL so what?) The axles are 2" longer on each side so your wheels move OUT 2 INCHES! Bad News. It does have better brakes, though. Note that the newer car wheels are more prone to being bent than the earlier, more centered wheels. The newer housings seem to be more prone to bending than the older ones but you never know what Dukes of Hazzard manouever has been pulled! EEE

 

An 89 GTA has either 3.27 or 3.45 according to the tech data on this site. It's a 9 bolt that is stronger than a 10 bolt.
Is anything wrong with the one you already have.

 

I thought you could special order 3.73's from the factory.

 

There is nothing wrong with my rear end. I just have the option of putting in a 4th gen so I wanted to know if I should.

Brian

 

If it's not broke, don't fix it.
If it was me, I would stick with what you have. Nothing better about a 4th gen rear and the width won't work with your wheels very good.
If you need to look at the available rear-end ratios for thirdgen f-bodies:
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

 

if its free then take it. the brakes on it are bigger then stock. The rear is no stronger then previous 10 bolts. if you do put it in and have access to a welder I would consider welding the axle tubes al the way around. the factory spot welds them. you will see when you look at it. do it before you install it.