what rear ends were in third gens from the factory?

 

7.5 10 bolt.
B&w 9 bolt

and some slp cars got Dana 44's.
Iirc

 

and someone is trying to convince me posi is the same as limited slip. can anyone explain this?

 

It is. "posi" is the gm marketing name for a "limited slip" axle.

 

Or the other way around .

JamesC

 

ok so there was open and then there was posi rears. just trying to clear the confusion

 

Yes, 3rd gen camaros cane with posi/limited slip/locking differentials as well as open differentials.

As well as many different gear ratios.

As well as 26 and 28 spline axles.

As well as drum brakes with cast iron and aluminum drums.

As well as disc brakes with iron calipers or aluminum calipers.

That should just about cover all rear end relayed variations.

 

If you have a 10-bolt:

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

If you have a 9-bolt:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...now-about.html

JamesC

 

how do i know what rear end i have? its B&W 9 bolt. i was told it is posi but could it be locking dofferential or posi or limited slip?

 

I don't think the 9 bolt came with a locking diff, just posi and open. The locking diff is commonly called a gov lock. It acts like an open diff until one wheel spins then these little locks grab teeth to lock the diff. It's common to find the locks or teeth broken off since they're not very strong. The only way to tell if the diff has a gov lock in it is to pull the rear cover for inspection because spinning a wheel will act just like an open diff.

A posi on the other hand uses a friction material in either disk or cones design to grab both axles together. Rotating one wheel will cause the other to rotate in the same direction while an open diff will rotate in the opposite direction. When turning corners, one wheel turns faster than the other and the friction material takes a specific amount of force to break free to give you differential action in corners.

Considering the age of third gens, don't expect to find a factory posi in good condition. The friction material wears out over time and most are in need of repair or replacing. It can be a lot cheap to just buy a new posi especially if it's a 10 bolt. If you have a 9 bolt, parts are rare and expensive.

 

Posi and Positive Traction are trademark names for the Eaton limited slip differential that was used in the Chevy 10 and 12 bolt in the '60s and early '70s. The name caught on and was soon being used to describe all limtied slip differentials in all brands of cars. So Posi and limited slip are the same thing. A lockin differential could be te Eaton Governor Lock or the Detroit Locker. Then there is the spool and mini spool, cone and clutch type limited slp and the wrm gear differentials. I'm leaving some out, but that is all that comes to mind righ now.