which 98-02 camaros/firebirds ls1 models had the 3" dia. aluminum drive shaft with vibration dampeners? also would the rear end out of one of these vehicles be a big upgrade for my 89 firebird that is currently stock? I don't know a whole lot about rear ends, so i need some advice as to which one to get? do you have to match them up with the engine in any way? also are the transmissions compatible from the 4th gen?

 

i thought i read all 98+ or 99+ LS1 cars got the aluminum drive shaft. The rear end isn't completely an "upgrade" persay...a 1999 10 bolt is very similar to a 1989 10 bolt. The 98+ axles are 1.5" wider on each side. The rear discs have 12" rotors instead of the offered '89 11.5" rotors. The 4th gen rear axle is guaranteed to be a 28 spline axles, where your '89 has a chance of still having 26 spline axles, which very simply put...the 28 spline axles are slightly stronger. And the gears inside are 10 years newer. So it's all up to interpretation on your idea of an "upgrade." The rear axle and drive shaft will bolt right in our cars with absolutely no alterations or modifications. The e-brake cables are debatable on simplicity, but there are many threads that have covered how to work with what you have or how to create a custom set-up. The transmissions i have heard do fit...but i haven't researched it greatly. I know you can very easily put a T56 transmission to a 3rd gen engine with no big problems, but other than that i don't know it all. If you would like to do more research...use the "search" feature in the red tool bar above. It has been covered again and again, in every combination you can think of. You will surely get almost all the answers that you need in just a half an hour of searching. Good luck!

 

The driveshafts & rear ends from 4th gens are both a direct bolt-in.

Chances are, the gear ratio in the 4th gen rear end will be different that your one is now, which will only affect your speedometer reading. If it is different, your speedometer wil read high or low, depending on the change.