Cascade Crew

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:32 am Post subject: another rearend question...

we all know i need/want a new rearend so this is looking like a good idea, but i'm looking for some input here.

So I've been eyeballing the craigslist post of a 9bolt BW posi disc rear for a while.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/379997387.html

its a solid rearend, and its a 9 bolt which i really like, but the ratio is a 3.08 and it is missing the brake setup.

is $100 worth it for a start like this? how hard would it be to find a brake setup for this? or should i just wait till i find one complete?

sorry for all the questions Embarassed

~JAKE

Mangus · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:09 am Post subject:

3.08 is for a manual. I wouldn't recommend it for an auto (I don't remember what you have). Also, consider the miles on an '85.

Fish is actually in the same boat - I think he's going to go with a rebuild, although I'll leave it up to him to comment.

9-bolts are good, but I'd find one (any rearend, really) with brakes. I've seen 9-bolts for $250 or less with full brake setups. Unless you plan on upgrading the discs anyway, in which case that rear might be OK.

If you want to drop the cash and plan on making a lot of horsepower, drop in an entirely new rear.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

3.08 is the typical gear ratio for Manual transmission L03 cars. I think most of the LG4's with the stick got 3.23's. Don't know for sure though. One thing to consider though, is that parts are much harder to come by for the 9 bolt, if you break something, and therefore more expensive.

For the price its not bad, but I'd hold out for one that is complete if it were me. As Mangus eluded to, if you're not making tons and tons of power, a 10 bolt should be fine.

I always thought the lowest numerical ratio offered with the 9 bolt was 3.27?

my $0.02

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject:

thanks for the advice.

I found a disc brake setup on TGO for $100 so i was curious.

seems like paying over $200 for a rear that doesn't have the gears that i want or has high milage isn't the best choice.

please convince me if i'm wrong in this thinking

~JAKE

Xophertony · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

makes sense to me. why settle.

have you considered a 4th gen rear? they also have 28 spline axles. it will push your rear tires out a bit though.

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject:

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

the 4th gen rears are your standard 7.625" 10 bolt. The are the same as ours, only 4" wider. I don't see a reason to go that route.

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

At least with a 10 bolt you can put a good PBR disc setup and have a wide selection of gear ratio's. Unless you find a good 3.70 9 bolt with the PBR's like Mike did, I would stick with a 10 bolt.

redlava · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

I thought the 3.08 ratio was a 10 bolt number? I believe stock 9 bolt numbers included 2.77, 3.27, 3.45, and 3.70

Mangus · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject:

Xophertony · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:

i thought 4th gen cars had stronger rear ends then 3rd gen cars. you know, to hold up to LS1 power.

Mangus · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject:

redlava · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:23 pm Post subject:

well that was quick. lol. Anyways I personally think the 4th gen rear looks dumb unless you have 4th gen wheels aswell 2 inches on each side looks like more then you would think. i agree that is probably stronger though than a 10 bolt from a thirdgen.

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

so why would a 4thgens 28spline axle, be any stonger than a 3rdgens 28spline axle? That is what I am getting at.

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

It's not.

But it is also really hard to verify that a 3rd gen rear came from the right year to have 28 spline axles, or that it does in fact have 28 spline axles without disassembly. It is also pretty hard to find 3rd gen length 28 spline axles used. When I put this posi in my car I found out that it was a 28 spline carrier and couldn't find any used 28 spline axles at the time. Had to go with aftermarket. At least a 4th gen rear is guaranteed to have 28 spline axles.

The extra length aside, a used 3.42 10 bolt out of a 4th gen will get you 28 spline axles, if not better a newer posi, and a good disc brake set up.
Jake needs fancy wheels anyway, he just buys something that works with the width of the rear end and runs spacers on the front.

redlava · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

I would say its stronger also because the 4th gens are 10 years newer aswell.

Mangus · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328