Most of the early 4 Cyl f-bodies came with 3.73s. Will this bolt right into my 84 Camaro H.O. with Drum Brakes??? The last owner changed my 3.73 gears to 2.73 gears. The Drums are all the same in the 4 cyl's and the 8 cyl's, correct?? The 4 Cyl brake lines still have metric threads, right? I figure that I can get one from a junk yard REAL cheap.. especially if I say its from a 4 cyl Camaro. Later on down the road, I will buy the 28 spline axles and buy the limited slip Unit from SLP for $99. Sounds like a good idea, right??? I should then have 3.73 posi pretty darn cheap. Tell me if I am missing something.

Thanks,
John

 

The differentials themselves didn't change based on the engine; i.e., a 3.73 in a 4-cyl is the same as a 3.73 in a V-8. What axle was standard changed with engine/tranny combo, though.

From what I understand, the metric brake lines started in '84. I found this out when putting an '86 axle in my '82. If your 3.73 axle is older than '84, just swap the brake cylinders from your '84 axle, or buy new ones (I got a pair on-line from Parts America/Checker for <$15).

As far as the SLP and 28 spline axles = cheap, don't know I'd go that far. Don't forget the cost of setting the gears up, which is not a one-time, do-it-yourself job. A better way IMO, would be to get a PowerTrax conversion, which you can do yourself: About $325, plus gear lube and cover gasket; vs. $99 for SLP unit, plus ~$200-300 to swap/set-up gears, plus cost of 28 spline axles, however much that would run you.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car. Rescued w/86 LG4/TH700R with all harnesses, sensors, ECM, etc. 2.73 open. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LB9 w/ZZ3 cam, exhaust, paint, etc.).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. Currently 396 .030 over, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited October 19, 2000).]

 

What is the 'Powertrax Conversion'?

 

Won't I still have to do a gear change??? Also... what type would I get. The code on the differential shows it's an 87 2.73 posi.. but the tires do not spin in the same direction... Is it Fried??? Do I still buy a locker for posi??

Thanks,
John

 

There was a post way back (from Vader IIRC) who pointed out that 4-cylinder S-10's had 3.73 gears in them that bolt right in to our cars...

Steve

 

The code on the diff may not be correct. It could have been changed at some time. Pull the cover and see what you have. And double check the gear ratio. The power-trax is a great unit. I replace my open 3.08's in my 82 4 years ago with 3.73 richmond gears(for a series 2 carrier), powertrax locker, all new bearings(axle bearings included), and synthetic lube. I run the **** out of it and it holds up great. About 600 bucks in parts. The other way would involve the slp limited slip, gears, bearings, axles, and lube. All new would be about 550-600 bucks in parts--and it wouldn't have the traction of the powertrax. Used would save you some money.
Another thing to think about:
If you go the SLP route, why buy a whole used rear-end when all you need is the gears.
If you go with the powertrax/used rear-end, you could buy a complete rear-end, (3.73 / 3.42 open)and install the powertrax without removing the gears from the carrier.
What ever you do, don't cut too many corners.
If put together correctly, a rear-end will last a long, long time. Put together poorly, it may last 50 feet.



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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Scauffiel, every S10 blazer that I found in junkyards, with the GT4 "3.73/posi" rear axle, used leaf springs. Otherwise, the axle looked the same. I suppose some coil spring perches could be welded on? Unless the S10's Vader was describing had coil spring axles.

Talk about frustrating tho... to keep seeing S10's with the GT4, and not being able to use them.

OH- Supposedly the axle shafts, gears, and carriers are the same between the S10 and F-bodies. It's just the outside axle housing that's different. So maybe that's what Vader meant. But why pay $200 for someone to install used gears? Might as well have new ones installed.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards