I need a stronger rear for my Iroc. Since I dont feel like dropping 2500$ for a custom Moser or Currie, I would like to search a friendly local junkyard for a 12 bolt. I don't know much about rears (other then the 3 POS 10 bolts that I have destroyed). I know that depending on what it came out of it will be very different then what is under my Iroc. I could handle welding the LCA brackets and coil spring mounts, but I don't know about the torque arm mount.. Is the length from right to left the same as the stock 10 bolt? Anything else that I need to consider? Any suggestions would be appreciated, I am tired of going through these 10 bolts!

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Mike C
88 Iroc 5spd
355 TPI, AFR 190s and lotsa other mods
April feature ride at Sethirdgen.org

 

You don't have to use the torque arm. That's what makes those aftermarket 12- bolt rears so expensive, they cast their own housings. You could buy a southside machine ladder bar kit and throw away the torque arm.

Everything else just welds to the 12-bolt housing.

 

If the 12 bolt swap was as easy as getting a junkyard 12 bolt, you would see alot more 12 bolts in thirdgens--mine included.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, current red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

 

However you won't like using ladder bars on the street so you're better off buying a moser or currie housing.

Looking for a 12 bolt to fit won't be easy. The only ones that are narrow enough for a third gen were in first gen f-bodies and then it'll probably need a rebuild, gears, posi, bearings, axles etc.

If you find a wider one it will probably also need a rebuild plus spending the money to get it narrowed. By the time you're done it will be cheaper to buy a currie or strange. Look at the big picture.

If it's not going to be used in a race car only then a simple ladder bar system is all you need. (plus the rebuild)

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley