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3.42 Rear Upgrade

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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 01:31 PM
  #1  
johnnymotz27's Avatar
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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.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 01:36 PM
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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.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 02:48 PM
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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
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #4  
84 z28's Avatar
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From: Rochester NY
Car: 1984 z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 4.11
Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade

Just grab a thick gear set in 3.42 ratio.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #5  
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Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (SOLD)
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.

Last edited by DJP87Z28; Jun 29, 2010 at 06:15 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 04:06 PM
  #6  
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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

Last edited by JamesC; Jun 29, 2010 at 04:14 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 06:14 PM
  #7  
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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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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 06:18 PM
  #8  
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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

Originally Posted by johnnymotz27
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?
Correct. Since parts may be difficult to locate for a 9-bolt, you might consider a 10-bolt replacement with a gear ratio and brakes that meet your approval.

JamesC
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 06:27 PM
  #9  
johnnymotz27's Avatar
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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.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 06:37 PM
  #10  
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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

Good Point
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 07:06 PM
  #11  
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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!!
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 08:38 PM
  #12  
johnnymotz27's Avatar
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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????
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:04 PM
  #13  
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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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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:05 PM
  #14  
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Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade

Do you know how to set up a ring & pinion set, or will you be taking it to someone else to set it up?
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:06 PM
  #15  
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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.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:12 PM
  #16  
johnnymotz27's Avatar
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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?
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:14 PM
  #17  
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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
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:15 PM
  #18  
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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.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 09:21 PM
  #19  
johnnymotz27's Avatar
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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

Originally Posted by big gear head
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.

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
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 12:27 AM
  #20  
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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.
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 04:36 PM
  #21  
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Re: 3.42 Rear Upgrade

There is no Eaton Posi available for the 9 bolt. The 3.45 will be nice if you can find one. The 3.27 isn't bad and will be a nice improvement over the 2.77.
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 07:22 PM
  #22  
Ron U.S.M.C.'s Avatar
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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.
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 08:01 PM
  #23  
johnnymotz27's Avatar
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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.
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Old Jul 2, 2010 | 09:42 AM
  #24  
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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

Originally Posted by thirdgen4me
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.
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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