Will any rear end out of any 3rd gen bolt up to my car with NO modifications? I have drum brakes now, and the rear I am getting has drum brakes, so the swap sounds like it will be straightforward. I'm going to stay with Drums in the rear right now becuase I'll be putting a 9" with Disc brakes under there early next year, and I just need something to hold me over till then. Thanks guys.

 

If your current car is a 3rd Gen then the answer is yes. I just did the switch myself. Mine was from drum to disc though.

When you do switch to disc in the future, don't forget to change your proportioning valve...


------------------
James

1987 Pontiac Trans Am GTA - 305 TPI - 700R4

http://www.seven-of-nine.com/gta.htm

 

I second that... yes!

If you know your rear drums are working perfectly, you can even put them onto the rear you're getting.

If you're putting an 82-83 axle under your car, those brakes have SAE fittings, as opposed to the 1984-current's metric fittings. The solution is to use your brake lines and wheel cylinders on the 82-83 axle. Unless, of course, you can find the right adapter in a parts store.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited November 28, 2001).]

 

Cool. Thanks guys. The rear end still has the brakes on them, so the swap should be pretty easy. I am pretty sure the rear is from an 86, but I'll try to find out. Thanks again guys!

 

Actually 82 to present f-body diffs will all fit. External mounts are all the same. The 93-present diffs are 2" wider one each side though.

The 82-92 diffs did change slightly over the years. The housing casting changed to try and relieve some stress on the pinion bearing. There were also a few internal changes such as the slightly larger ring and pinion set (7 5/8" instead of 7.5"). They also upgraded the axles in 90 to 28 spline from the smaller 26 spline. Your 92 will have 28 spline axles. If the diff you are getting is pre-90 then you're downgrading to 26 spline. If all you want it for is for the gears, it would be better if you just did a gear swap instead of the whole diff. If it's just a temp diff until the 9" then go for it.

Other than that and whether or not it has disk or drum brakes, all 82-92 diffs are externally identical for swapping. V6 diffs are the same as V8 diffs.

This is only in referance to the GM 10 bolt diff. There is also an australian Borg Warner 9 bolt offered as a performance diff and a very rare Dana44 diff.

------------------
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: 11.447 altitude corrected to 10.99
Best MPH on a time slip: 119.42 altitude corrected to 124.86
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 493
Best 60 foot: 1.586

Racing at 3500 feet elevation with a typical race day over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

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

 

Thanks for the help guys. The only reason I an doing the swap is becuase I can get one for fairly cheap, my drum brakes are not in the best of shape, and I have a slightly bent axle, which causes INSANE vibrations. I also need to inspect the panhard rod and lower control arms. I've got some kind of clunking noise when I go around corners, and it feels like my car is becoming unstable

 

Stephen, Tom is correct about the brake lines.

But, since Scott thinks he has an '86, it will fit with no modifications as you say.

------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4, 2300 stall TC. Ported World 305 heads, Crane PowerMax 2050 cam. ZZ3/4 intake, oil pump, pan & baffle. Accel HEI SuperCoil & module. Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" catback w/dual-opposite Flowmaster 80. 2.93 limited slip. Spohn SFCs waiting to be installed. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily year-round driver. Best ET, speed TBD...
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7:1 forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Holley 750VS w/4150 conversion, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 700 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

I found that out the hard way Put a newer rearend under the '82 and had to change over everything grrrr

------------------
'82 Z28
LG4 305 .030 over, performer intake, holley street avenger 670, xe 256 cam, tes headers, 3 inch single exhaust, spintech muffler, 14 x 3 inch drop base k&n.