83' 2.8camaro

hey guys i've got a 83' 2.8 Camaro with the th200c 3 speed trans with a shift kit and i want to put either 3.73 or 4.10's in the rear end. i'm not concerned with gas mileage or getting a lower top speed. my factory gearing is 3.08 and i have 245/50/r16 tires and wheels on it. which would you recommend? with the set up i have, would 4.10's just be too much? with 4.10s would i still be able to cruise 70-75 mph? thought it would be smart to ask some people who would know, before i spend the money this up coming weekend. thanks for taking the time to read my post.

drdave88

iTrader: (3)

The question is why do you want that much gearing behind a 2.8? You can still drive at 70-75, but it will be probably up over 3000 RPM the whole time, probably even higher with a 3 speed trans. What's your RPMs at now at that speed?

83' 2.8camaro

yeah i've decided that 4.10's isn't what i'm going to go for since a buddy of mine gave me insight. do you think 3.73 gearing would be ok on the 2.8 or should i choose something else? he recommended 3.42 gears and a posi or lsd. what do you think? is 3.42 gearing even that much of a difference? it would suck to buy it, have a shop put it in and not see much of an improvement.

83' 2.8camaro

dont know my rpms no tach, i figured id install one myself after i switch the gearing.

drdave88

iTrader: (3)

What is your goal here? It sounds like you just want a bunch of low end torque to the wheels. If you have 3.08 gears, you probably have a series 2 carrier which won't support any higher numerical gear than that. You would have to upgrade to a series 3 carrier in order to use a 3.23 or higher number (lower gear). Having said that......

I think 3.42s would be a nice bump up for you from 3.08. LSD/posi (same thing) would definitely be a nice addition. That will get both wheels applying power to the ground. Keep in mind, you do have an 83 2.8, so you're not going to get a whole lot anyway you go at this. If you do decide to look into an LSD, there are all kinds of 4th gens out there for a couple hundred bucks. Look for the zexel torsen unit. I had one in my 88 and it was a nice upgrade from the one wheel peel without costing me $400-600. I've seen some on fleabay for about $200 with less than 40k miles on them.
Also, make sure you get a good brand of gears or you'll end up with noise that will never go away.
Edit: You'll also need to upgrade your axles since the ZT carrier is a 28 spline, I believe I used S10 axles.

83' 2.8camaro

yeah i'm pretty new at this i'm just a kid and the 83 is my first platform to learn and build on so, yeah..learning as much as possible. i've read thru some forums and people where saying that there are companies that make "wide" or "thicker" gears than stock (or something like that) that allow aftermarket gearing to be installed on my 26 spline and stock 2nd series carrier. i'll find the thread tomorrow and post the info on what i'm talking about. thank you for your reply!

drdave88

iTrader: (3)

From what I've read about those, they tend to have a problem with noise. Do you plan on doing this yourself or having it done? If you're going to have it done, you may want to consider the cost too. Not sure what the car is worth, but is it worth putting that kind of money into the car?
There are plenty of other places to start that might be more beneficial. My guess is, if you do the rear gears, you're not going to get what you think you will out of it.... especially if you leave the stock open differential in there.
That's just my opinion on it, from a guy who's been down a similar road before.

83' 2.8camaro

i bought the car 3 years ago with 80k original miles, and in excellent condition but its still not really worth much but i'm set on keeping this car for life and one day giving it to my son. the reason i want to change the gears is because i have taller rims and tires than stock, and i drive up and down the cajon pass on the 15 freeway here in southern california (huge hill going into the mountains miles long) quite often and its slow going up it. yes i will be paying a mechanic to do the install. yes i will also be having some type of posi put in there(thinking a good brand but used OR a mini spool???) as far as noise goes, ive read that more than likely it wont make any noise with that set up in the 2nd series carrier unless its installed wrong.. so far my modifications are simple, kyb suspension, cut springs, bigger wheels and tires, taller air filter, tuned carb, rebuilt trans with a shift kit and straight piped. i just want to re gear it and put a 3.4 engine in it (because its a easy swap and is a much better engine) and just continue to daily it. i really want to build a 54' business coupe as a rat rod or just a beast street car toy.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

245/50R16s are a stock size. The outside diameter of the tires is close enough to stock that any difference is negligible.

If you cant do a gear install yourself, you'll have hundreds invested to do what you're talking about. Without overdrive, 3.73 or 4.10 gears are going to be turning enough RPM at 75mph, that you'll kill the 2.8 in short order.

It'd be a lot easier and less expensive to just find a 3.23 or 3.42 geared 10-bolt from a later 6cyl with a 700R4 or T5. By only going up a few ratios, with a junkyard rear, you get an easier install, less expense, and you're less likely to go way too far and kill all your top end. Plus it'd have the added benefit of leaving you stock rear unchanged, so you can go back to stock if it doesn't work out the way you planned.

Forget about any kind of spool on the street. For that matter, any limited slip is a waste too. You don't need it behind a carbed 2.8. You'll have $500 in a 10-bolt before you know it, and your car will probably drive worse for your trouble. Go for a $75 used 6cyl rear.

83' 2.8camaro

thanks man that sounds like a plan!, there are a lot of 4th gens at my local yard. i know they are 8.5 28 spline 3 series carriers. my current stock one is obviously 7.5 2 series with 26 splines. what do i need to do this swap? have my drive shaft shortened, or swap drive shafts as well? will the drive shaft from the 4th gen match up to my trans? i have so much to learn i cannot wait to start doing this! also save me a butt load of money.

83' 2.8camaro

oh but hey, 15" wheels ARE the stock size wheels for my car. my current wheels are stock wheels from a 90's camaro, not sure if it was 3rd or 4th gen but they are for sure 16"... my 93 blazer came stock with 15" camaro wheels as well (weird but true). ill post a pic of the car so anyone can see.

AM91Camaro_RS

You can get a rear end from a 4th gen but they are wider. That'll cause your rear wheels to stick out about 2" per side. That being said, 7.5 or 7.625" (same thing) 10 bolt was the common rear end in 4th gens. It will not directly into the car, same drive shaft and all. I am assuming you have the 7.5" 10 bolt in your cart, don't remember if you specified. If you can find a 3rd gen in the junkyard, a v6 with a 5 speed should have a 3.42 gear in it. Later 3rd gen v6 with auto trans should have a 3.24 gear. Down side to buying a rear end out of a v6 car is that it won't be posi from the factory.

83' 2.8camaro

what do i have to do in order to stick a 8.5 in my 3rd gen. mid 90s s10s and s10 blazers have 8.5 rear ends and those are everywhere.

NoEmissions84TA

iTrader: (1)

An 8.5 will not fit in a 7.5 or 7.625" (same thing) 10 bolt.

If you want to keep your rear end in the car, and make it limited slip, then you have to buy
(assuming you will continue to use your 26 spline axles - you said 6 cylinder so no need to upgrade to 28 spline) a LSD for 26 spline axles, and your choice of gears in the ratio you desire (make sure to match carrier series). You will also need an installation kit (seals, bearings, shims, crush sleeve, etc) and a professional to set up and install these items. It will not be cheap.

DREW gave you great advice in post #9.