Just got my 1981 camaro out of the shop... was originally a 6 cylinder berlinetta model-got a 350 in it which i put a stroker kit on, 383 stoker, did the works to the engine... got a turbo 350 transmission and a decent converter on it... only got a 273 rear gear on it, i want a 373 gear for it but still savin... need a posi traction unit to. I really just started on this car and i wanted to hear some opinions about what i should do next with it.

The interior is pretty straight to... original leather interior, one tear in driver seat is all, one crack on original dash but u have to really be looking for it to see it, and still has the original headliner and is in great shape (first time i bought a classic that i didnt have to put a headliner in).

body is ok... few rust spots on hood but very tiny... im not worried about the body right now though... it looks good, ill worry about that when im done with the under the hood stuff...

any suggestions?

 

well since you've already done the motor and tranny might as well finish it off strong by swappin the gears and posi.

 

I had 3.73's in my 4spd Z. It was the worst combination GM could have made. Just under normal driving I could start in second and shift to fourth no problem, but at 40MPH I was turnin bout 3K I could'nt even drive her on the highway. Stock 350 torque peaks at 2500, hp at 4200 I think. cruzin the freeway at 4600 only dose more damage to the motor not to mention gas mileage. I put an old 3.08 open in her and now she cruises beautifully and I'm gettin bout 12-13 mpg out of the oigional, nonrebuilt motor. At $2.48 a gal. I'll take it. If all you're going to do is race the car then I say go for it, but, if you're going to do any driving with her at all I gaurantee that you will hate anything above 3.08's. I recomend keeping the 2.73's, a 383 stroker is plenty of motor to motivate those gears. Drive her for awile before you decide to drop a grand on a rear end. I plan on puttin 2.73's w/Auburn limited slip in mine and I'm only building a 300 hoarse 327. As for posie's I've installed quite a few and I recomend Auburn gear, they won't handle the high torque punishment of rock crawling, but, they are about the strongest limited slip diffs. built for the street. Cost for a 10bolt 7.5" ring gear should be around $350-$500, I'd have to check.

 

Thnx for the advice guys... im probably gonna keep the 2.73 gear in it. i wanna do some work to it to make it grip the road a lil better though... even with that gear in it i have problems gripping the road on take off (and im not stomping it)... and recommendations?

 

what do you mean like while your racing or just normal driving? in my 81 while was at the track (stock gears and no posi) i just lowered the air pressure and i got off the line great. but i really dont know what to tell you to do on the street except for be easy on it

 

well iv had alot of work done to the engine... 383 stroker. Im thinkin i may have to do some suspension work to it... maybe add some traction bars... the original set up for the car was made for the 6 cylinder berlinetta model (thats what it originally was).

also the mechanic that did the machine work to the engine for me is telling me he thinks i should go with the 3.73 gear on it... after reading the previous post though im not sure... i do want a quicker take off... but i dont want the engine to be screaming at me while im cruising the hwy... another mechanic friend of mine says i could go with a 3.42 gear in it... what do u guys thing?

 

If you're having problems w/wheel spin now with 2.73's, that tells me that you have more than enough power. Lowering the gear ratio (2.73 is higher gear, 3.42 is lower, 3.73 is even lower), will make wheel spin even worse. If it makes it easier think about it this way: the highest gear ratio in the average early model,'74-'83 84, half ton chevy trucks was 3.08:1, now with the overdrive trannies being used they use 3.42's, 3.55's and 3.73's. 3/4 ton up uses 3.73's, 3.92's, 4.10's, 4.56's, I have seen 1 tons w/ 4.56's, 4.88's and 5.12's. Vehicles that move alot of weight need this gearing in order to be able to the work it was engineered to do. Give the 2.73's about 6 mos. of driving before you decide what to do. You have not posted what your tire size was, the wider the tire the less lbs. per.square inch of downward force is applied to the pavement, thus: a 255/60r15 will not grip as well as a 225/60r15. If you have wide tires on your car, changing to a more narrow tire will help w/traction. Also installing a limited slip will help. Six cyl. Berlinetta's did'nt come factory w/a rear sway bar as standard equip. If you don't have one, installing a 5/8" on the rear and bumping the front up to a 1 1/8" will give you what the Z's came with stock, this will help flatten the car out through the corners. As I stated in my last post, If you're going to drive the car, anything lower than 3.08 will not satisfy you. If you're intent on changing gears, drop down to a set of 3.08's. Anything lower than that you will sacrifice drivability, longevity, and fuel economy. I work in a driveline shop doing gear changes for a living, I know this. I'm afraid you're machinist may not know you're cars primary purpose(racing or to and from work), or I don't, either way the choice is yours. We all want you to be happy with your ride.

 

I appreciate all the help, i think the tires on it are a lil over sized (bought it like that) not sure what size ill have to go out and check again... im havin the front end checked out soon and i may replace the suspension. It bottoms out on me if i take a corner to sharp of hit the slightest lil bump to hard. Its ok though i got a lil import for daily use and gas effeciency lol.