I am having my transmission rebuilt and I want to get a new rear end in the near future. But the only thing I know about them is what a posi does and the gear ratio.
My first question, as a daily driver w/OD what would 4:11 gears be like or should I go w/ 3:73.
My second question is what is meant by a 9inch rear and so on.
Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should get.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
UNDERDRIVE PULLEY
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
2:73 GEARS

 

4.11 gears is too much inmy opinion. I would go with 3.73s or maybe even 3.42s (which is what I am getting). A posi is a limited slip system in the rear end that uses a system of clutches to lock and unlock the axels when there is wheel slippage.

When people refer to a rear end in terms of inch sizes, they speaking of the diamter of the ring gear in the rear end. The ring gear diamter size (7.5", 7.75", 8.5", 8.8", 9" ect). Usually the larger the ring gear diamter, the stronger the rear end. That is only true in some cases, the 7.75" IROC rear ends are very strong for their small size. I hope this helps!

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1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission
Borg Warner 7.75" 9 Bolt Rear End with 2.77:1 Gears.

Current Mods: LT4 HOT Cam, Comp Cams 1.52:1 Roller Rocker Arms, Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Performance Resource Chip, Accel Ignition Coil, Cap, Rotor, 8.8mm Wires, K&N Filters, JET TPI Air Foil, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET (w/o LT4 cam): 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

Soon to Come: 7.625" 10 Bolt with 3.42s and Accel TPI Intake Base