Still have some research to do on what I've got, exactly but so far I'm pretty sure it's an open diff with 3.08 stock from '83.

How difficult is it to install a limited slip and change the gears in the diff? A buddy of mine is gung ho to help me out but I wanted to ask here to get some info.

What's a good unit that is relatively cheap? What are some things to watch out for while doing this project?

Any help is appreciated.

 

If you have a 10 bolt not difficult at all. Basically buy a truetrac and the gears you want and bolt them in.

 

sweet. Thanks. So my buddy wasn't making it sound oversimplified. I'll trust his judgement. Now I have to wait for the snow to melt (again) so I can get to work.

 

I'd leave setting gears up to a pro (and all the tools he'd require).

JamesC

 

ok. now I have my doubts. is there a thread where details are listed for this type of thing?

 

Not that I know of, but check the following link and you may get an idea of what's involved:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...4-10-what.html

JamesC

 

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showth...t=install+posi
Here is how you install a Posi. This is much simpler than installing gears. Setting up a set of gears requires setting the pinion depth, backlash and bearing preload. This is NOT a job for an amature. If you have lots of patients and are willing to learn then you can do it. You will need a few special tools for the job and you must know how to read the contact pattern on the gears so that you know what adjustments need to be made to the pinion depth and backlash. Setting up a set of gears requires assemble and disassembly of the rear end many times until everything is just right.

Your buddy is probably eager to do it because it's not his money that will be wasted if it gets screwed up. I always recommend the Eaton Posi. This is the best street/strip differential for most GM cars in my opinion. The Auburn is cheaper, but it isn't any good either. The Truetrac is good if you like corners better than drag racing. A good installation kit will make the installation much easier.

 

Ahhhhhh. ok. Thank you both. Good stuff.

 

I'm getting ready to attempt the same thing with my '87 Formula. It's got 2.73s, I'm going to 3.73s with the new T56. Here's some good links that I found that explain what all is involved in setting up the gears. It would seem the hardest part is setting the pinion depth, due to the pinion bearing needing to be pressed on, and the fact that it has to be taken off to change the shims.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...all/index.html

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...tructions.html

http://www.differentials.com/install.html

Just like everything else, it's going to take time, patience, and a willingness to learn an entire new set of terms and techniques. It'll also help to find somebody experienced in the swap to have on call, as well of course as a shop to press in bearings.

Just my $.02,

-Levi

 

hmmm. Well, I've looked through all the links and it looks do-able but not necessarily something I'm probably ready to tackle yet. If I was to have a pro do the gears would it make sense to buy the limited slip and hand it off to them to do at the same time? Seems it wouldn't be worth putting that in just to have the shop open it all back up to replace the gears.

Or what about buying a rear end in good condition and replacing the entire rear end with a posi and gearing I want? Would it be easier or make more sense to do that and possibly upgrade to disc brakes when I do that? I guess I want to get the biggest bang for my buck both financially and effort-wise.