Okay so here's the deal.

I've been planning a blown 383 swap into my RS for a while now but I obviously can't do much until the suspension and rear end are in place without frying the stock 10 bolt. The suspension for all intensive purposes is near completion, so for the last 6 months I've been researching rear-end options.

I've got 17x11" ZR1 wheels on the stock rear end with 2" spacers on each side to accommodate the backspacing.. so in order to make these work without spacers I assume that my only option is to buy a brand new housing that's 3.5-4" wider.

I also assume that my only two really good options for this are a 12 bolt and a 9", but I really don't know what to do. I believe that the 9" requires fabrication to mount it in our cars, so I am leaning toward the 12 bolt, but I've heard horror stories about 12 bolts "whining" after they're put in so I'm a little nervous.

I'm also worried about the funds. I would like to be able to do this entire thing for $1,500 or less... but realistically I think I’m looking at $2100+ with the parts, and 3.73 gearing. (I built the hell out of a 700R4, so I am not worried about the ratio at all.).

Space isn't a problem, I have places to work on the car, and it’s just the equipment that is the problem. I'm really stuck at a crossroad here and I don't know what to do. Can anyone offer some advice to a 4th year college student who really wants to get this project moving?

 

Nothing wrong with a 12 bolt thta would make the gears whine unless there Richmond. Of course Richmonds can whine in any rear end reguarless of make.

The easyest route is the drop in 9in setup. If you do a search on this fourm under (9in) you will find all the information you need. You can even order one with the correct spacing for your application. Did I mention it bolts right in

 

i know my experience isn't 3rd gen related, but it comes from being around cars for a long long time.
On my 79 TA i installed the 9" rear.
pros:
strong
heavy

cons:
heavy
sucked up power

these come right off the top of my head.
why do i list heavy as pro and con?
i felt it balanced the car more, meaning the back end didn't feel as light, so i can almost say cornering improved. keep in mind this is a street only car.
i did turn about 200-250 more rpms on the highway, and the car feels slower. slower again because the 9" takes more power, and is heavier. but it's beefie and when i launch it, it hits much better, compared to the 10 bolt, meaning launches straighter where the bolt felt squirly, again more rearward weight


my friend had grenaded a few 12 bolts, with XYZ done to them. to me i think it probably wasnt setup correctly, this was in his 79 TA with a healthy motor and real hardcore hook up. he didn't want the 9" cause of taking power up.

the flip side, i have seen, and heard, many times over of people modifying 10 bolts to be just as strong as the 12 bolt, thus saving weight and power consumption, and these are behind BOP power plants, aka torque monsters

if i were to do a rear in her 88 formula, i'd have to think how it's going to be used.

if it was a heavy street/track car, i'd go Dana 60
otherwise, i think i'd consider a 10 bolt 8.5 rear then either a 9" or 12 bolt, but again it's persoanly prefernce, and how hard the car would hook would determine what rear to run

i can tell you, getting a new rear under 1500 complete is not gonna be easy, by the time i shipped mine and all, i think i was near $3k from currie, they gave me the best pricing compared to some other places i called.

since it seems like you will have "meaty tires" and going with a supercharger, you'll probably want either the 9 or 12 bolt, and if i recall the 12 bolts are easier housing wise to mount.

 

If you plan on doing a 9", (or a 12 bolt for that matter), there are a few ways you can go about it. Here is a thread of one way to go about it. You dont have to have it totally assembled. On the other hand you can get a "complete" bolt in rear, but it will cost more.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=275872


I broke down the total prices in an older thread, on the route I went. I bought the complete bolt in deal from Currie. Ill see if I can find it.

 

Found it. This is just a FYI, as you might want to go with another route, in the range you are willing to spend.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=276903