I am putting a LT1 and A4 out of a '97 Z28 into my '80 Camaro Coupe. I will probably replace the suspension parts with '80 Z28 parts as I hear it's suspension was pretty good. I need some advice on what to replace the rear end with. This will be one of my 'just for fun' cars, and the motor will not remain stock for long. What rear could I install that I wouldn't have to worry about breaking the first few times I take it to the track? I'm also thinging 411's. Of course I'm not looking to spend more on the tranny than I bought the car for. :P Any suggestions?

 

The suspension in those cars is crap, as it came. It's leaf springs. You can add those high-school looking "slapper" bars and that helps some; but most people who are really reious usually end up back-halfing them and putting a 4-link or ladder bars in them.

There's no difference that I know of between the plain Camaro suspension and the Z28 suspension, except that they added a stabilizer bar. But I don't know that for sure, as I never fooled around with the plain Camaros anyway.

The rear that's in it should be fine, at least for a while. It's a 8.5" 10-bolt IIRC. One of the ones of those that I had, a 79 Z28 4-speed, I put 4.10s in; it was OK except that the motor was so utterly gutless. I don't think you'll have to worry about tearing it up with a stock LT1 as long as you keep fluid in it.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Any other suggestions?

 

depends on your budget really. if you don't mind spending the green get a mosar rear so you never have to worry about it. over kill is great.