Hey gents, I need help. I'm looking at possibly buying my first camaro. A buddy of mine has an 02 for sale that has the motor, computer, and tranny out of a 2012 camaro. Currently the problem he is having is that the stock u joints and drive shaft can't handle the newer motor, and it's putting the U joint into a bind then popping them. Not too bad if I go easy on it (but let's be real here.) He is thinking that I should find a better rear end before I get a drive shaft made for it, because it'll tear up the rear end. What are yall opinion on that, and the car in total. Gonna try and look at it tonight. Will post pics.

 

yep the 4th gen drivetrain is rated for 350hp. it will handle more most times,,, not all. mine went pretty quick at 400hp. i would think your pinion angle has something to do with your issue. have you checked? also you will need to upgrade your suspension. rear control arms, subframe connectors, relocate torque bar.

 

pictures of her underside?

 

I'm gonna check it out today. Have yet to actually see it in person. I know he can drive it now.

 

an 02 4th gen is the better stock ,i have a 406 in my 95 an so far after 2 years the rearend is handeling it the 450tlbs ,but will need a rebuild with 3.42 ,got to see pictures of that swap ,i have not done any burnouts ,an dont beat it to much ,couse it will let go if i race it. one can kinda tell after driveing it a bit ,but there is a sweet spot if you hit it right goes smooth where i can chirp 123 gears,not to say i have not heard a few cluncks throwing so much more power at it ,there is a thread that you can build the 10 bolt to handle up to 550hp for about $500.00 stregthining the 10 bolt ,thats my plan over a 12 bolt 3k rear end for that car ,you may want to think about 8.5 too,they sell the stronger u joints too ,but the 10 bolt will only take so much ,he should drive it like gram most of the time ,until he upgrades it ,post up pictures that the first time i hear of that swap a 376 in 4th gen

 

So you are say your friend made a 426 HP V8 and a 6 speed transmission work in a 2002 controls still handling all the accessory's, AC system and ABS and he is having trouble with getting the drive line angles right? Something does not sound right. How could someone that knows enough about cars that he could get though all that technical stuff not know about drive line angles or at least spend an hour or two on the net and learn about them. They are not complicated.

Course I am also assuming he has the rear mounted correctly with the torque are supported. Again something very basic. If the torque are was removed it would snap the drive shaft even at part throttle.

 

That big six speed may have dictated he lowered the rear of the trans so mch to fit he can't get the angles squared away? Just thinking what may be done wrong.

 

well i have not seen or even hear about anyone hear puting 5th gen drive train engine trans in a 4th gen car ,so i would not have a clue ,you could check youtube ,i would imagine alot of modfication had to take place ,for that too not a clue hear ,but mabey someone elce can help hear too,guess i need to google 5th gen engine in 4th gen car,you may be one of the very first to try that swap,i did not find very much info myself ,but guess depends on how you search,try some other camaro forums as well

 

The LS3 is that an LS motor so it is bolt in. I could not find any information on how much , if any, larger the 2012 T56 was then the 02 T56. From what I know now this should be a "bolt in" hardware wise as long as you adjusted the floor as needed and add the torque arm re-locator. It should even take the stock driveshaft which should be Fine up to 500hp. I am not sure why he would have mechanical issues except the rear blowing out of it.

I did find a thread about someone putting a 06 GTO LS2 and 6 speed in a 4th gen. There is little talk about mechanical most of the thread is electronic.

Honestly you would really need to love a 4th gen to do this because I doubt a 4th gen camaro with LS3 in it worth a dollar more then a good LS3 motor. Since the 2012 is no longer OBD2 the electronic would be a nightmare in an 02. Sure you can get the motor running but every gage, almost every wire in the car would need changed.

 

mabey you need to try a 4th gen 6 speed transmission built up , to make it work an build up that 10 bolt but how compatable the trans is ? post up pictures like was requested