Mild 305 cam

[drogg1]

I agree that aftermarket gears are a good bet for a relatively cheap way to increase performance without wasting money.

Yes you can use aftermarket thick gears or buy a ~$50 spacer to use with stock 3 series gears. If you want to do it right I think you'll need at least a dial indicator with a magnetic base (~$40 online). This tool is useful for doing engine assembly as well. Hopefully someone else will chime in about the process or you can do a search here as it has been covered many times.

 

[LukeZ]

Cool, if I can do a gear swap for a couple hundred, I'll consider that as the next project on the list. Thanks guys!

 

[L67ss]

Yeah the gears them self are like $120ish

 

[pontiacgp]

If you are thinking about putting in an engine at a later time to give you more performance why not start looking for a stronger rear end that has a posi instead of putting money into a 7.5" open rear end. The cost of the gears are not too bad but the tools you need to set up a rear end plus to crush the new sleeve is impossible if you don't have the right tools.

 

[bob64]

Richmond 3.42 for series 2 carrier is $249 at summit. Make sure you get a good brand name. Also you'll need a good install kit, seals bearings an so forth.
You can install the old stuff but ?
A good Driveline shop charges 4 hrs billable an up an liability is on them if it blows up.

 

[Texas82GP]

Luke, I would pay a reputable shop to do the ring and pinion swap for you. It's not a job for beginners. You might be able to find a 3.42 equipped 7.5 for a reasonable price and just clean it up, paint it and put it in
That would be a fun project for you.

 

[axisg]

Like Texas 82 said, I would keep my eyes out for someone with a monte ss upgrading their rear. I sold my peg leg 3.42 rear for $150 when I swapped in a 3.73 posi rear that I picked up for $75

 

[bob64]

Well here is a better idea than changing the gears or swapping another 7.5/7.65 into your car !
Buy a A-body 8.5 rearend with the gears an posi you desire(cheap)Someone sells the 4 link kit for them, l think Summit has them an others l'm sure.
If you do some research l believe that the mounts are a inch wider on top of the pumpkin an the bottom trailing arms are the same l believe, springs mount the same.
I have heard of people just forcing the top arms in 1/2 inch with bushing flex, put that's not ideal.
So its a cheap upgraded an will support some HP.
I'm not sure about driveshaft length but that's cheap to get shorten.

 

[pontiacgp]

Well here is a better idea than changing the gears or swapping another 7.5/7.65 into your car !
Buy a A-body 8.5 rearend with the gears an posi you desire(cheap)Someone sells the 4 link kit for them, l think Summit has them an others l'm sure.
If you do some research l believe that the mounts are a inch wider on top of the pumpkin an the bottom trailing arms are the same l believe, springs mount the same.
I have heard of people just forcing the top arms in 1/2 inch with bushing flex, put that's not ideal.
So its a cheap upgraded an will support some HP.
I'm not sure about driveshaft length but that's cheap to get shorten.

the 64-67 version is 2.5" wider than a G body, the UMI conversion uppers work but for the lowers UMI made me a modified pair with Roto Joints on each end to pick the the angle. The rear end is wider but the brackets for the lower are more inboard than the brackets on a G body rear end. The 68-72 version is 4.5" wider than a G body, the UMI conversion uppers work and the stock lower control arms work. The drive shaft needs the be shortened 1" and you need a conversion U joint or change the yoke in the drive shaft for a 1310 U joint

 

[Texas82GP]

My thought on this Luke is that since your car is a cruiser you could cheaply upgrade to a better gear ratio by just bolting in another 7.5. Then later, you could upgrade to a 28 spline posi out of a fourth gen Camaro for cheap and have something plenty strong for anything but racing or severe abuse. The car would be dramatically spunkier and the project would be cheap. All you have to do is keep your eyes open on here or put a want ad and one will come along. Hold out and you will find one locally or within driving distance.