currently on the car is a 10 bolt, im planning on going with a 3.73 detroit locker. But my question is, can a 12 bolt axle fit under the car without having to tunnel it or any other clearance issues?

 

No stock axle besides one intended for 82-02 Camaro/Firebird will fit into a 82-02 Camaro/Firebird.

The issue isn't "fit", "tunnel", "clearance", or any of that. It's the suspension design, primarily. Our cars use a COMPLETELY different design from the 4-link in a Chevelle or full-size, and from the leaf-spring setup in Camaro & Nova.

That said, a number of aftermarket vendors make 12-bolt housings with the provision for our cars' torque arm, springs, & panhard bar, so that they bolt right in.

 

then if i cant take a 12 bolt off a truck (or whatever) would a 3.73 ten bolt hold out some decent HP/torque?

 

Well, the LS1 cars came with basically the same 10-bolt our cars did, so, ... draw your own conclusions.

Kinda depends on what you want to do with the car.

 

Also depends on the transmission, how sticky the tires are and several other things.

 

well i guess im looking for s little more specifics about the rear end, im seeing after some digging that the rear end can only hold around 400 hp, assuming the rear end is a 7.5 inch (most common) is that just a stock diff, or is it the axle itself thats weak? i dont want to waste my time and have it break, its all going together at the same time so id like to find a way to make the stock axle work just slapping in a better diff. if the camaro was that hard to beef up because of the rear end i highly doubt there would be a lack of info about it, i just need some insight. im good for swapping parts out, but as far as replacing parts and car builds this is my first, so please any info would be helpful


https://www.chevydiy.com/history-and...differentials/
here is my source of info on the rear end that i have found so far. it does not say if its the rear diff that cant handle much more than 400hp or if its the axle itself.

 

The ring & pinion usually break first. If you have the 26 spline axles then they can be a problem. Upgrading to 28 spline axles isn't a big deal, but the ring & pinion are still the weak part.


If you plan on going big with the power then you need to invest the money in an after market rear end, like a Moser 12 bolt or a Quick Performance 9 inch.

 

It would be a good idea to post exactly what you are planning to do with the car.
What engine with what internals? not just 400ishhp
What trans?
What tires?
What chassis mods?

The we could help you with suggestion for a rear end

 

going with a 5.3 LM7, going with a 102mm intake, undecided on the cam, but i was thinking about getting a zo6 kit and tossing that on,. for now i have a 700r4 that im having beefed up, hardened everything, and a slight shift kit.. down the road would like to upgrade the trans to a turbo400 and slap a 76mm turbo on it. RN im just working on the motor and the internals. but once the motor is done ill expect to be right about 500hp and 400-475 torque. if the rear end that is on there is so different is everyone thats working on there cars on here going with an aftermarket custom 12 bolt 30 spline? i mean if thats the case it looks like the rear end is going to come first then ill work the internals on the motor.

 

Run the 10 bolt until it breaks and install a 12 bolt or 9 inch when needed. Chances are the gears in the 10 bolt will hold up as long as you have hard street tires on it. As soon as it gets traction it's probably going to break.

 

No traction=no problem