Hey all,
I've got a 2.73 rear end on my 88 IROC vert, did a tranny swap to T-5. 305, but I think the engine was rebuilt, runs pretty strong for a 305. Not taking it to the track, just want quick around town, etc. Advice? What would you put in? Wouldn't mind rear disc brakes. Something posi, I assume? Thanks!

 

You probably want to get a 3.42-3.73 9 or 10 bolt posi rear end. It will feel like another car.

 

thanks zman. I took it to the local IT shop to try to get a speedo gear...they said the 2.73 was for a 4 cylinder. Told them it was standard for the automatic. Recommended a 3.73. My issue is with the 700R4, I was taching at like 2200 at 75mph or so. Since the T-5 it's more like 3K+. I thought with the 3.73 it would really be up there. I'd like to be able to drive to Cleveland, couple hundred miles without it thaching at 4K. Seems like I've seen lots with the 3.42. If I knew what I know now, I think I would I'd have done a T-56. Not really a gearhead (noob, I guess) so I'm learning as I go. But it is SO MUCH FUN with the stick. Plus with the headers, Flowmaster, it sounds great. Just want it perfect.

 

Get a set of 3.42"s or 3.45"s if you have a 9 bolt. Your better off swapping in a new rear end though, with disk brakes while your at it. Just go to your local JY and start popping diff covers off and counting ratios. I wouldnt go for 3.73"s though if your driving this thing daily, i think anything above 3.45" is overkill for a street car.

 

Sounds like you've got 3.23's already...... I'd stick with them and get the right speedo gears for the t5.

 

Go to a jy and pick up a 10 bolt. most are 3:42 posi.

 

I just put a 3.27 in my TA project car, better off dropping the whole thing and starting from scratch..

 

someone offered to sell me a 3.27, 9 bolt, 4 pinion posi Borg Warner with disc brake brackets. I've got a 2.73. Would I notice a decent difference with that? What he's offering sounds good...

 

In all honesty, I would stick with a 10 bolt rear. The 9 bolt rears are a bit stronger, but new replacement parts for them are virtually non-existent. You can get bearings, seals, etc., but there's no source for new posi carriers, and they're prone to burning out often. My suggestion would be a 10 bolt with either 3.23 or 3.42 gears. Either of those ratios work superb with the T5 on a street car, and they won't wind it up too high on the freeway. Btw, I was just up in your neck of the woods visiting my dad. He lives in Beavercreek.

 

No way! Hope the weather was better than it is right now. Cold & snow flurries, windy. Thanks for the input Pat. I think it will be a 10 bolt, I'll see what I can find 3.23 or 3.42.

 

Lol. As far as the weather went, I got there a few days after the hurricane winds and the massive power outage. Got there on a Sat., and we didn't get the power back on until the following Wed., so for those first 4 days we just sat around twittling our thumbs by candlelight! The good news on your end is that there's quite a few guys around there that part out 3rd gens, so you shouldn't have too much trouble tracking down a good 10 bolt. I would've gone on a parts shopping spree while I was there if it wasn't so expensive to ship anything large all the way back here! I did manage to smuggle a gallon jug of that great apple cider from Young's dairy in my suitcase though. Take care, Pat. P.S. Looked at the pics of your car in your vbgarage. Pretty sweet, lots of potential!

 

crouchman..how much did the t5 swap cost you?...i went from 2.73 to 3.73
in an auto car...but is is the best thing ive done so far