I've been doing a lot of research and it seems maybe a 8.8 is the way to go. For one there is a wide range of gears and limited slips that came from the factory in these rearends. There was some info on LS1tech. And it seems like if i run 94-up axles that it will be the right lenght. One of the guys said it was exactly 4"shorter than a 4th gen rear.. so weld some brackets on...swap axles to chevy drilled axles and figure a mini 4link or tq arm? could be done for under 800 easy and take plenty of beating. What is your thoughts guys? would you do it?

 

I think that's a great idea.

My father installed an 8.8 out of an explorer under his Buick Riv (just welded the perches and such... he welds, but I think he went to a shop to have these welds done). Kept the disk brakes and everything.

This isn't camaro related, but gives you info of 8.8s out of explorers...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...plorer8_8.html

 

No one else? I'm surprised more people on this site haven't found new rearend ideas. I cant see spending 2400 on a 9"...so 800 to build a stout 8.8 sounds good. What about building a 9"?or 12 bolt? who alls done it?

 

i did a 9 inch swap.

moser housing and axel kit.

my dad had a detroit locker and 4.11 gears laying around in a carrier

i would say i dont have more than 1500 in my rear thats with an estimated cost of a used locker and gears. housing and axel kit only cost me a grand and it bolted right in

 

There's already at least one thread on doing an 8.8 swap. The torque arm mount isn't easy. Although it can be done, by the time you're done, it can be cheaper to just buy a bolt in 9" housing with axles and install your own junkyard center section.

$1000 for a housing package designed to use your factory brakes. Junkyard center section and if you're lucky, it will have a gear ratio close enough to what you want and a posi. I pulled a 31 spline axle, 4.10 posi center section from a Bronco and it cost me $100.

 

Do a little more research and you will find the Ford 8.8 and Chevy 12 bolt are shockingly similar. "C" clips and all...

 

I still prefer the 9" because it's so easy to change gears, slide out the axles, pull the center section, install a different one with different gears... Center sections are still easy to find for the 9" Fords and reasonable priced if you do some shopping... I have an open one with 3.0 gears for road trips, another with 4.11's and a Detroit locker, then the Saturday night special center section, 6.30's on a spool for that stoplight to stoplight stuff...