I've been oogling over buying a Currie, Moser or Strange rear for the '83Z for a week or so now, and I could use some advice.

I'm now really leaning towards getting a Strange 12 bolt kit #PRG200. It comes set up, assembled and is a bolt in (minus brakes).

I called Strange on the phone because thier website says "OEM brake kit may have to be modified or replaced". Well, the guy I spoke to said some OEM brake backing plates may only have three holes, and thier tube flanges have 4 holes. I currently have aluminum drums on my 10 bolt. And he didn't seem to know what I'd have to do in order for those to work.......-Or he says I can upgrade to adapt 93-97 rear discs for 115 bucks more. Which should I do, adapt or find me some 4th gen brakes??

Also, I currently have 3.73:1 rear gears in the 10 bolt, along with the T-5 with a .59 ratio 5th gear (1-4 are stand ratios)....1st gear is almost useless already - I have to shift to 2nd FAST - like halfway across an intersection...it's pretty steep already.

But - I'd like to gear it for street/strip use, but still be reasonable on the highway. I'm thinking about 3.73's again or perhaps something like 3.43's.....Is there a good way, or a formula to determine which works "better" for street/strip use, or is it "trial and error"??

 

Well, after much himmin and hawin, phone calls, price comparisons etc... I decided on a Moser 9" with 31 spline axles, true-trac posi standard width, standard Chevy wheel pattern and studs and includes 11" drums. In my mind, prices were so close that shipping cost was an issue.

Currie offered the same setup, at 200 more and shipping was outrageous at 280 bucks!!

Boiled down to Moser or Strange because they're much more local to where I'm at, so shipping was only half outrageous. Both say they'll back up any defects or other problems. Moser ships there 9" rears in pieces (housing, thirdmember, axles etc) so shipping is 85 bucks....Strange said they could do it that way too if I wanted. They were within 80 bucks of one another, so Moser won! Both seemed knowledgible though.

Arrives in 5 days!!!...wahoo!!

 

The flange they're talking about should be the same as any of the 10 bolt disc rears used in thirdgens or fourthgens. I don't think you'd have an easy time putting your drum brakes on.

 

If you're talking about the 12 bolt I was considering getting, it's the disc caliper brackets Strange sells that adapt to the hub and allow use of 93-97 disc brake calipers and rotors. I think minor fab work is required to put 3rd gen disc brackets on, but don't quote me on that....My car has rear drums.