86 Cutlass drivetrain ques.

[86bluedemon]

Ok, I have a bone stock 86 Cutty with a 307 and an open diff. Curious to know what the stock gears are back there, but real interested in swapping rear end for 8.5" w/ posi. I'm also wanting to swap the slug engine that I have for a 350 small block(either an Olds or Chevy engine will do, not going to be picky) as well as swap the crap 200r transmission for TH350 or possibly rebuilt 200r4 that can handle some power. Here are my questions:

1) What options for rear end swaps are there BESIDES finding another g-body(442, Hurst/Olds, Turbo Regal, etc.) rear end?

2) This is my only car so it will also serve as a daily driver. What combo of engine, transmission, and posi gear ratio will give me decent power, while still being practical to drive everyday?

3) Are there options to have decent power with an OD transmission, or should I just stick with a decent 3-speed?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Lawfree]

Unfortunately, the 8.5 inch Posi Rears that will bolt right into you car without a lot of mods are out of Regal Turbo "T"s; Grand Nationals and the actual HURST 442 (the reg 442 got 7.5 rear). Pricey and hard to find but will bolt right in. If you should find one and can, snag the 2004R and at least the drive shaft too. The nose/yoke on the 8.5" rear sticks out @ 1"" more than the 7.5" rear.
The HURST 442's came with 373 gearsets while the buicks were 342.
Neither will be a big problem with a 4 spd Overdrive transmission, but the 373 might be too much on the freeway with a Turbo 350. Some of the non GN Buicks had that rear axle but no POSI. I got mine a little cheaper because of it. The factory POSI units were not the best or strongest and prolly would need re-building. I had a Moroso "Traction Plus" Eaton Type POSI installed and they are very HD units. IF you put on alot of highway mile, I'd go with the overdrive transmission.

 

[v8power]

find a nice chevy 350, do a intake, headers, carb. and find either a 700 or 200r4 transmission. if you are not making huge power, you could just use the rear end you have an throw some gears and a posi in it. with that you should have a nice driver.
😀

 

[joe_padavano]

Unfortunately, the 8.5 inch Posi Rears that will bolt right into you car without a lot of mods are out of Regal Turbo "T"s; Grand Nationals and the actual HURST 442 (the reg 442 got 7.5 rear).

That's not correct. First, there is no "HURST 442". There were Hurst/Olds cars in 1983 and 1984 and 442s in 1985-87. The 83 H/O got the 7.5" axle. The 84 H/O and ALL 85-87 442s also got the 8.5" axle. The Olds axles were all 3.73:1. The 1985-85 GNs also got the 8.5 " axle, but with 3.42:1 gears. These are the ONLY bolt-in options and are priced accordingly.

You can try and mickey-mouse an A-body axle, but you will need custom upper arms and custom offset wheels. You can also get an aftermarket axle that will bolt-in.[/b]

 

[v8power]

if its out of the SS it is a garbage 7.5 dont stick any money into it because it is not worth it. find a chevelle 12 bolt, or 8.5 our of a GN or 442. or you could go the ford 9 way, but i dont really like them unless you are making mega HP's

 

[midwestls]

didn't some 87-88 SS have it? (the 8.5) I remember hearing someone say some time ago that they had a build sheet that said theirs did. I personally haven't seen/noticed one, but would also like to know I guess

 

[dan2286]

For the engine in your case it would be best to go with an Olds because it bolts right in without having to change anything. The 200 R4 will be able to hold up to the power easily as long as you dont build an engine with tons of power. The 8.5 rear will a great upgrade if you can find them at a decent price. Their is a vendor on here that has some pretty good prices with Ford 9 in that bolt right in, I think you can get the housing w/ axles for around a grand(probably less), plus the parts are new and their is less to worry about.

 

[midwestls]

I vote the 9" as well. For what you'll (usually) pay for an 8.5" used you can usually get a brand new 9" for a little more. There also alot stronger.