3.42 Rear Upgrade
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
3.42 Rear Upgrade
I was doing some research on a 3.42 rear upgrade on my 1989 5.7 Iroc. There seems to be so much out there like do i need a spacer or not etc etc. Is there anywhere on the site that lists all parts needed for the swap?? By the way its a 2.77 G80 rear.
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
I would just grab an 87-89 rear out of a V6 camaro or firebird from the junk yard for $75.. Direct bolt in, just put one in my formula a couple weeks ago. You have to grab the speedo gears to.
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
If you have a 10-bolt, you might check the following FAQ for info on gearing and brakes:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-10-bolts.html
JamesC
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-10-bolts.html
JamesC
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Everyone STOP and think for one second...2:77 ratio = BW 9-BOLT 2-series carrier.
Not a lot of things are going to work for this guy unless he gets correct answers.

Not a lot of things are going to work for this guy unless he gets correct answers.
Last edited by DJP87Z28; Jun 29, 2010 at 06:15 PM.
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
The OP may need to simply double-check what's in his car. While 2.77's are 9-bolt gears, 3.42's belong in a 10-bolt.
Johnny, should your car be a 9-bolt, check the following link:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...now-about.html
JamesC
Johnny, should your car be a 9-bolt, check the following link:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...now-about.html
JamesC
Last edited by JamesC; Jun 29, 2010 at 04:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Hey , just was reading through my service manual it shows 2.77 are the borg warner rear which i believe is the 9 bolt. So forget the 3.42 i guess i am really looking for 3.45's correct?
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Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
JamesC
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Thats getting a little more involved than i was hoping......Why weren't the 5.7s standard with the 3.27s? 2.77 does not seem like the best performance option for the top engine Iroc. I know you could order the G92 so why weren't the ordered more often or like i said STANDARD.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Wow it seems i am going to have a hard time finding a 3.45 ring and pinion!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Well got what i hope is a good deal on a 3.27 posi housing and ring and pinion out of a 89 GTA for $275. Ive been looking for a few weeks and it seemed reasonable, he says i will need to replace the bearings though. Now the question is do i wait to try to find 3.45 ring and pinons or go with the 3.27s which would have been stock G92 upgrades????
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Petal Ms.
Car: 1990 Iroc
Engine: 6.0
Transmission: 4l65E
Axle/Gears: 373 zexel torsen
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
You might want to check the splines 26 or 28? You probably have 26 and the 89 could be 28. Anyway something else to look at.
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 13
From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
9-bolt parts aren't hard to find. Just less places to get them, but that doesn't equal hard.
9bolt.com is the 1st place that comes to mind. To go from a 2.77 to a 3.45, your going to hafta change the carrier too, not just the ring gear & pinion.
9bolt.com is the 1st place that comes to mind. To go from a 2.77 to a 3.45, your going to hafta change the carrier too, not just the ring gear & pinion.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Dustytrix:I have an 89 and the part came out of an 89 so wouldn't i have 28 also?
big gear head: i absolutely will be having it installed any tips on added pieces i may need?
big gear head: i absolutely will be having it installed any tips on added pieces i may need?
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
All 9-bolt rears for f-bodies use 28 spline axles.
JamesC
JamesC
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Get a good installation kit. This will make it easier for whoever installs it. Get a good quality kit, not a bargan brand. Some that I don't like are Ratech and Richmond. Some of the better kits are DTS, Yukon and Tom's Differentials.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Will do thanks!! Any thoughts on if i should hold off on the install until i purchase 3.45s? I assume i will feel a nice difference from 2.77 to 3.27 just wondering if its worth the move to 3.45
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 10
From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
I did the 2.73 to 3.42 upgrade.( 10 bolt ) I'm really glad I chose the 3.42's. Any thing less would have been a wast of time and money in my opinion. In your case I say get the 3.45's. Throw a Eaton Posi. in there and be done with it.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; Jun 30, 2010 at 11:59 PM. Reason: add info.
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 10
From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
No Eaton Posi. for a 9 bolt. Thats a shame. How about a LPW support cover than. Well I looked at LPW"s site and could not find one for a 9 bolt ether. But I did find this = http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...entgasket.aspx
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; Jun 30, 2010 at 08:12 PM. Reason: add info.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Woolwich NJ
Car: '89 L98 G92 Iroc /'11 GS Vett
Engine: L98/LS3
Transmission: 700R4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.27 B.W./3.42
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
Thanks for all the help!! I guess it will take a few weeks before i get the 3.27s installed so if i come across a 3.45 ring and pinion before ill go for it.
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 429
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From: Mt.Holly, NC USA
Car: 1988 Camaro, 1986 S10, 2000 Harley
Engine: LS6
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.75 9" ford trac loc
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade
I also think this would be your easiest and cheapist option. I just recently did this. If you find a manual trans, V6 car in those years it will have a 3:42 gear, autos are, I think have 3;23,but I would double check either one. Pop off the rear cover, takes 5 minutes. Always check before you buy. Dean.
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