I have a 1982 Z-28 with a GMPP 290/350. The car has the stock 4 speed transmission and stock open rear end (2.73 I believe?). Long story short, the rear end recently failed on me and I am looking to buy a rear assembly from hawksmotorsports to get a Posi and disk brakes. I would eventually like to get a T56 transmission, or at least a T5, but will not be doing so for a while. Should i simply replace the rear end with the same gearing as i have now or look to change the gearing? I'm not planning on racing aside from maybe a few casual track days. Its primarily a cruiser. Thanks all!

 

So I'm assuming it has a Borg Warner ST10 with a 3.42 first gear. You will see some improvement in acceleration by going to a 3.23 gear and it will still run pretty good on the highway. I wouldn't go past a 3.23 without an overdrive transmission. If you go to a T5 then you could go with a 3.42 or maybe a 3.73 gear. A T56 is going to be a lot of work to install and expensive, but stronger and would work well with a 4.10.

 

I would try and find a used rear assy. in 2.73 -3.23.

Then save up for the gearing you want, as a matching combo.

The V8 T5 and 3.73 is nice. The T56 depends on what gearing it has.

 

Thanks everyone, I'm thinking about doing the rear end now and tranny later, but maybe I will just buy it all together. I'm just gonna buy the kit from hawks, keep it simple. I think I will go with a 3.42 but I will have to look into the gearing of the specific t5 I will be getting. Actually I might as well check that out now. Thanks again all!