rear end??

[J.Rod22]

I have a 88 cutlass with a 307 and a 200-4r. My plans for it are to get an olds 350 and keep the 200-4r and get it built up or buy an already strong enough 200-4r. So my question is what rear end should I get? Which gear ratio?I don't k ow anything about rear ends. Also im I am to get a rear end from a 442, monte ss, or grand national do I also need to grab the driveshaft or am I good with mines? Thanks

 

[carpenter383]

If you can find a g/n rearend that would be a very nice improvment, but anything with about a 3.73 gear should put a smile on ur face. IMO

 

[nycutlass]

depends on how much hp u will have and how hard u will drive it .as for gearing u kinda open at what u want with the overdrive transmission you have so 373 would work out nice .more details on what u doing and i could give u more info

 

[RockSS]

Ok first you do not need a new driveshaft if you already have 2004r unless you go with a 12 bolt or 9 inch... now the rear in your car is pretty much the same as a monte SS just diferent gears the GN rear is the 1 you want its an 8.5" instead of 7.5" you can have yours beefed up and new limited slip but after all the expence its still only good for limited power... GN rear or go buy a bolt in 9" but need some pennies for that. 8)

 

[J.Rod22]

The car is my daily driver im not trying to race it or anything. Im just trying to find a rear end then build my trans so I can have my car ready when I finally get an olds 350.

 

[cdg1984]

If its just a stock 350 youll be just fine with the rear you have, just upgrade the gears.

 

[nycutlass]

if u dont do nasty burn outs and stuff the 7.5 as a daily driver is fine so keep what u have just change gears

The car is my daily driver im not trying to race it or anything. Im just trying to find a rear end then build my trans so I can have my car ready when I finally get an olds 350.

 

[J.Rod22]

Ok how do I go on about changing gears? Is it hard to do?.......and if I found a 3.73 rear end like u guys recommended would I need to change my driveshaft or would my stock one work?

 

[AlanB]

Just a clarification on the drive shaft, you drive shaft will work for any 7.5/7.625 from another G-body. Your drive shaft will not work if you swap in a 8.5 rear from a G-body, in other words from an 84 Hurst/Olds, 85-87 442, or 84? and up turbo Regal. If you go with an 8.5 rear, try to get the drive shaft from the same donor car. Otherwise you will have to get your drive shaft shortened.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

If you've never changed gears then I wouldn't attempt it on a daily driver/sole transporation type car.

The GN rear would be an 8.5" with 3.42 gears. A 442 or '84 H/O rear would also be an 8.5" with 3.73 gears. Personally I would rather have the 442 or H/O rear for the steeper gear ratio. However really both would be overkill for a pretty mild 350.
The Monte SS rear axle wouldn't be much of an upgrade beyond the better gear ratio. They still only had the 7.5"/7.625" rear.

If you do go with an 8.5" you will need to shorten your driveshaft by .99".

What gear ratio do you have in the Cutlass now?