hi, being relativaly new to camaro's i have a quick question for you guys. i want to swap in a rear disc unit with posi. I am not loaded so I will be purchasing a used unit off of ebay. My real question would be can i directly swap in a unit from a fourth gen or is there extensive work involved here?

by the way my camaro is a 91 RS.. pretty much stock with minor suspension upgrades.

thanks in advance.

 

If you are talking about a complete rear end swap then it is pretty much a bolt in, but the over all width is 4 inches wider. Tire clearance might be an issue.

Your '91 will have 28 spline axles and the correct housing ends to do a disc brake swap. You could put the 4th gen brakes on your rear end. If you have the ability to set the backlash then you could also swap in a 4th gen posi into the rear end that you have.

 

The 4th gen is a direct bolt it & while it is almost 4" wider (almost 2" per side), the stock rear 16" wheels do not stick out. They sit pretty much perfectly flush with the fender lips.

 

Other than the upgrade to disk brakes, there no more strength in a fourth gen diff to your 91 diff. It might be easier to just buy disk brakes.

 

stephen... while what you say is un doubtedly true one strength i am looking for is the posi rear end. basically i must have posi and disc brakes. if you have any specific suggestions you should let me know. i was only looking at the rear unit off of a fourth gen because those are more readily available in my area.. not to say i couldnt find a third gen parts car.. just looking to keep things as simple as possible.

also.. i dont want the wussy stock rear gear ratio...

 

Swapping the complete rear end is going to be easier for you. If you can set the pinion depth, bearing preload and backlash then you can swap the parts over to your rear end. If not then swap the complete rear end and get some wheels with the correct back spacing so that you don't have problems with the tires rubbing.

 

No doubtedly, a 4th gen swap is MUCH easier. A few bolts, breed the brakes & your done.

Unless you KNOW how to set up the ring & pinion, just swap in a 4th gen rear. Or if you find a drum brake 3rd gen rear you want, get it & swap on 4th gen disc brakes

I mght get the IMSA-style flared rear quarter panels & a 4th gen rear. If I go with a 4th gen rear, my Snypers will stick out about 1.75" & I think the IMSA fenders give 1.5", so I'll look into that more, when I actually have the $ to spend.

I want bigger brakes & posi. I have those on my 9-bolt & I'm NOT giving those up!

 

No need to buy new wheels, iif you still have the stock 16x9s. It seems like I hafta post THESE pics every couple of months....STOCK 16x8 wheels w/245s & a 4th gen rear...NO STICKING OUT!




Side pic won't display.....

 

If you have easy access to an inexpensive 4th gen rear end than i say just swap that in. Its easier to do a whole rear swap than to swap out the internals, especially if you dont know what you are doing. If you do go the 4th gen route, than try and get one off an LT1 car if you plan on using the stock 15in rims. The LS1 calipers dont really fit the 15in wheels(at least what i have been told). I just did this swap to my 91 RS.

The main thing that stops people from swapping in a 4th gen rear is the width, most people dont have money to upgrade rims and the rear at the same time. Here are a few pics of my 91 rs with a 4th gen rear, stock 15 in rims with 235's and stock suspension.



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Looks like you beat me to it stephen. Does seem like every other week were postin up our cars in these threads to show that the wheels do not stick out. lol

 

Wat spacers did u use to put back the stock 3rd gen rims.

 

Spacers would only push them out further...Those are STOCK 16 x 8s, bolted directly on a 4th gen.

 

oh i see. so if someone wants 4th gen rims on a third gen spacers r needed but when some one wants 3rd gen rims on a 4th gen u dont need spacers, that is weird. i dont think its right there should be spacers for 4th gens to put 3rd gen rims like there is for 3rd gens.

 

I need to find a 4th gen rear...any specific year I should be looking for? What about 4th gen rear with 16" iroc rims? Any backspace issues?

 

saber, have you ever had any problems with the tires hitting the fender when you go over a speed bump or something? I will have a 4th gen rear on my car once it gets warmer here, and i will be running the stock 15" rims, and I want to be sure I don't have any problems with the tires hitting the fender.

 

I second skiroulertx447 comment on the possibility of the tires hitting the fender. I'm looking at buying a 4th gen (96) rear from a z28 onto my 85 disc brake rearend (the 4th gen has disc brakes). It's nice to hear that I won't have to switch my rims though. Can I get a confirmation as well on both these comments?

 

Trust saber. I'm sure he out of all people would know if the tires rubbed. The 4th gen rear swap is the absolute way to go if you are looking for a cheap way for higher gears, a posi unit, AND disc brakes. For around $300 on average for a 4th gen 3.42 posi disc brake rear, the deal can't be beat. It bolts right in and stock wheels can be used.

 

Ok thats good, I have differential already, so i'm glad i don't have to switch rims, and i got mine for $100 less than that