what are the visual signs to tell if a rear is a 4th gen or a 3rd gen.

 

you will need to take a tape mesure and see how wide it is.

but to your specific question. it will look just like the 3rdgen one but has a sensor on the pumpkin for the ABS

 

They all have disc brakes too, I believe they are larger in diameter than the thirdgen ones. And an inch longer on each side, and most of them either had 3.23's or 3.42 gear ratios unless they were 6cyl.

 

I used to think no 4th gens had drum brakes until I saw one that did.

In the Fast and Furious 2, I think its the yellow 4th gen camaro, its got drums on it.

I have a 4th gen rear from a 2002 SS on my car. I like it though i do need something that can handle more power.

 

Yeah i like my 4th gen rear too mines from a 97 3.42 gears 200.00 cant beat it.

 

ok, how about this.

how much work or money would be involved to change a non-posi 3.73 4th gen rear to posi? and whats better to have, one of the spring loaded limited slips or one of them no slip ones that lock.

 

Does this mean you have a non-limited slip rear end with 3.73s in it now? Why? To answer your question, you just need to change the carrier. I would put a Torsen unit in. The hold up better and no clutches to wear out.

 

right now its open differential with 3.73's. i plan on putting a limited slip or no-slip in. just not sure which i should go. havnt heard alot of feedback about either of them. i dont know all too much about them cept they got ones with the springs and clutches and they got the locking ones.

 

You don't want a locker. Other than that, it's up to you. The Torsen Differential is the one with the springs. The plus side is that there are no clutches to wear out.

 

V8's got disc brakes, 2.73, 3.23.or 3.42 gears. Most had posi, some had open, at least the 2.73 rear I had was open and it came from a 94 Formula.
I don't recall seeing a V8 car with drums on it.

V6's got disc or Drum, 3.23 or 3.42 gears and open diffs.

It might vary with the years as well, 93-97 and 98-02.
I had a 96 V6 Camaro 5 speed, it had 3.42 gears, open diff, and drum brakes.

My 96 Trans Am 6 speed had 3.42 gears, posi, and disc brakes.

My friends 98 V6 Firebird 5 speed had 3.23 gears, open rear and Disc Brakes.

 

I've never seen a V8 car with drums either. Best bet is to get your hands on an ss/z28/formula/trans am rear with discs from a 6 speed car. Chances are that it will be a posi/disc rear.

 

the 4th gen rear i got had 3.23's in it...put in some 3.73's. It still has open differential though. i guess ill look into those torsen units. are there any other brands?