8.5" rear

[ryanwitski]

I'm just finishing rebuilding a 7.5" series 3 with 3.42 ratio. The problem is I know I'll blow it up again in about three months. My question to you elky guys is where can i find an affordable 8.5" rear for a GN or campatible g-body to put in my Camino? I only found two online for $1,200. They don't have to be posi, I can do that. Thanks guys!

 

[383Camino]

I tried to find one when I blew mine up. I got a 7 5/8 out of an S10 Blazer. Required some out-of-the-box thinking, but it has held together for 4 years and a bunch of dragstrip passes.

 

[ryanwitski]

interesting I did not know a 7 5/8 was that much stronger. Of course it depends the hp. I eventually want a 400 SB with about 500hp+. I blew the 7.5" doing a burnout. I should look into that. It would save me from buying a whole new housing. thanks

 

[Chevyman85]

You should get an 8.5" 10 Bolt out of a GN or Cutlass 442. They are both GBody cars so it will swap directly in. I know there is one guy selling a complete GN rearend for $800 on the site. I've also seen them around for about that price. I think that would be the best/easiest way to get a durable rearend that can handle the kind of power you

 

[ryanwitski]

cutless and 442 huh? sounds good I'll start looking in awhile. Everyone that knows me at all knows i'll blow this rear end out in a month or two. :lol:

 

[elcam84]

Just keep looking. I finally found one this summer.

The GN ones had 3.42 gears while the 442/H/O ones were 3.73. I ended up with a 3.73 but no posi. I would prefer a 3.42 but the price was right.

The 7 5/8 is very slightly stronger. Also later 7.5s went to 28 spline axles.

You can get 28 spline axles then a posi carrier for them and you can go to a 7 5/8 gear but... You will have to find a used set of 7 5/8 gears as all the replacements are 7.5. then use an aluminum cover to stiffen up the rear.

By the time that's all done you have spent as much as an 8.5 and you only gained a 7.5 rear that is marginally stronger than stock.


The 7.5 can live a long time if you don't put good tires on.

 

[ryanwitski]

I will upgrade sometime but not too soon I just rebuilt my old one and i'm sick of seeing the underside of my elky. lol

 

[Chevyman85]

I will upgrade sometime but not too soon I just rebuilt my old one and i'm sick of seeing the underside of my elky. lol

I hear you there! Upgrades usually happen when something lets go!