I kicked around trying to do a 8.5 rear for my Malibu and I would love to have one. But between locating one anymore and the high costs, it doesn't seem possible right now. Is there a donor car upgrade that can be done? I have heard about a Camaro 7.625 rear or something like that. I would like to have 3.42 gears and a posi if possible. This car will just be a driver so I am not really concerned about hooking it with slicks and breaking it. Thanks.
What is a budget upgrade for a 7.5"?
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The 7.5 that is in your Malibu will accept the gears and positraction units from the later model Camaro's with the 7.625. Only difference is spline count on the axles. Your Malibu would be 26 spline while around 1988 the 7.625 went to a 28 spline axle. I have a 79 Monte Carlo with 7.625 4.11 gears and a Detroit Locker with 28 spline axles from Toms Differentials all in the original 7.5 housing. Years ago I knew people who worked at American Axle (Chevy Delevan) here in Buffalo who assured me the axle housings were the same and that the 7.625 parts would work. Gm was putting the 7.625's with 26 spline axle components in G bodies from around 1985 until 1988. My 88 SS Monte Carlo has a 26 spline 7.625 rear axle from the factory.
3.42 posi carrier out of a camaro and 28 spline axles out of a grand national are good relatively simple cheap upgrades.
If you have street tires the 7.5 will last a long time.
If you have street tires the 7.5 will last a long time.
8.5 axle in the Grand National and 442 uses the same outer axle bearing but is 28 spline. They are a perfect fit. As for the years Camaro I believe its 3rd and 4th gen (82-2002) that used the 7.625 rear. Also check S-10 but stay away from the Gov Lock lockers. The 4th gen Camaro's often had the Torsen style LSD units.
I am planning the same thing.
From my research, you want to move to a higher spline count. 28 seems to be good, but this necessitates new Axles..
This is the Posi Unit, Ring, Pinion and Bearing kit Ive been looking at, except the kit I want is 3.73. The kit here is the same, except the 3.42 you specified:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=222499953538
Then the Axles from Moser:
https://www.moserengineering.com/1978-88-G-Body.dept
$525 for the kit, $273 for the Axles puts you at around $800 for the switch for parts. I ave no clue about modifying rear differentials, so I would be looking at having the kit installed..
-Gonz
From my research, you want to move to a higher spline count. 28 seems to be good, but this necessitates new Axles..
This is the Posi Unit, Ring, Pinion and Bearing kit Ive been looking at, except the kit I want is 3.73. The kit here is the same, except the 3.42 you specified:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=222499953538
Then the Axles from Moser:
https://www.moserengineering.com/1978-88-G-Body.dept
$525 for the kit, $273 for the Axles puts you at around $800 for the switch for parts. I ave no clue about modifying rear differentials, so I would be looking at having the kit installed..
-Gonz
This is the place I purchased my Detroit Locker , axles (Toms KA's) and bearings from.
http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/
http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/
Find a junkyard 28 spline center section, 28 spline stock 8.5” axles on ebay. Mine has held up to one 1.6 60 foot and 20-30 low 1.8’s on slicks. I still don’t trust it. But its a decent upgrade for sub $200 depending on your area.
Actually any 4th gen camaro 93-02 has 28 spline carrier. Early were often eaton clutch style, once you get into 98+ you either had torsen or auburn cone style.
Some 94-96 caprices had clutch posi and 28 spline axles but the camaro is a easier find and often better shot.
Some 94-96 caprices had clutch posi and 28 spline axles but the camaro is a easier find and often better shot.
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