Which rear end for my car

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TeezySupreme

Master Mechanic
Feb 3, 2011
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My 1980 cutlass supreme has the stock rear end what ever that is. I wanted to know which rear would be best for my car 350 rocket i'm going to at least try to get 310 hp and I'm running a 200 r4 transmission need help on the rear end part so i know what to look for a pull-a-part.

And may you also tell me what type cars came with the rear end

3.73 or 4.11??
 
look for an old school, boxy S-10 they seem to have steep gears. The 4 cylinder trucks maybe 3.73:1
 
for the s-10 3.73s came in some 2.8 5spd trucks, 4cyl 2wd blazers got 4.56 gears, they had as much of a variety as the gbodys did, check the glove box for the code that will tell you what the diff is.
 
Alright,thank you guys and no I dont want drag gears i just want a posi rear end
 
martin.ca said:
Then look for a 10-bolt rear end that has the metal tag on one of the cover bolts.... That's what mine has, and it says "use limited slip oil" or something similar.

Alright, thanks ill look today.
 
TeezySupreme said:
martin.ca said:
Then look for a 10-bolt rear end that has the metal tag on one of the cover bolts.... That's what mine has, and it says "use limited slip oil" or something similar.

Alright, thanks ill look today.


I have an 8.5" big boy posi out of a 87 442 that will bolt right up. It has the 3:73 ring gear too.

It may be more than you are looking for though.
 
Unless you can find one from a Gbody that someone has built, you'll have to do some mixing and matching. I believe that all the S10s and baby Blazers used Gov-Locs if they were limited slip. It's more of a locker and they are also 28 spline. Some guys like 'em and some guys hate 'em. I have no opinion on the Gov-Loc but I think they are designed for more of an off-road than a street situation. They had a wide range of gearing. The (pre-'88?) Camaros/Firebirds used an Auburn clutch-type limited slip that were 26 spline but had tall gearing like the Gbody. I think the '88-up were 28 spline but gear selections were a bit better. Gear selection is totally up to you. I think with your Olds 350 a 3.23 or 3.42 would be a good choice as a driver. I'd save 3.73 and 4.11s for track cars.

My combination was 3.42 gears out of a Blazer, Auburn limited slip from an '87 Camaro, Speedway ring gear spacer and install kit. I got the used rearend parts on 1/2-off day for $75 and sold the Gov-Loc from the Blazer on CL for $75. That made my parts cost = zero. The ring gear spacer and install kit was about $120. Be aware that the earlier (pre-'81) Gbody used a smaller pinion bearing.
 
DRIVEN said:
Unless you can find one from a Gbody that someone has built, you'll have to do some mixing and matching. I believe that all the S10s and baby Blazers used Gov-Locs if they were limited slip. It's more of a locker and they are also 28 spline. Some guys like 'em and some guys hate 'em. I have no opinion on the Gov-Loc but I think they are designed for more of an off-road than a street situation. They had a wide range of gearing. The (pre-'88?) Camaros/Firebirds used an Auburn clutch-type limited slip that were 26 spline but had tall gearing like the Gbody. I think the '88-up were 28 spline but gear selections were a bit better. Gear selection is totally up to you. I think with your Olds 350 a 3.23 or 3.42 would be a good choice as a driver. I'd save 3.73 and 4.11s for track cars.

My combination was 3.42 gears out of a Blazer, Auburn limited slip from an '87 Camaro, Speedway ring gear spacer and install kit. I got the used rearend parts on 1/2-off day for $75 and sold the Gov-Loc from the Blazer on CL for $75. That made my parts cost = zero. The ring gear spacer and install kit was about $120. Be aware that the earlier (pre-'81) Gbody used a smaller pinion bearing.


Didn't Monte Carlo ss have decent rear ends? wouldn't they bolt right up to my cutlass?
 
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