are there other rear diff housing that will bolt up under a second gen
i would like to swap my 10 bolt out for a 12 bolt posi , but finding one from a camaro or firebird in this area is almost impossible and if you do people wants a small fortune for them especially if it's a posi


thanks

 

well the only bolt-in 12 bolts are from '70 camaro's and firebirds unless you wanna weld on spring perches then you could get a 69-72 chevelle or impala rear but it would be a pain lol

what engine and power level do you have? if it's not too wild then your 10 bolt will be fine

 

If you don't mind adapting there are some choices beyond a 12 bolt GM also. The 2nd gens use a 62.5" rear axle, and there are the Chevelles from '68-72 as Jason mentioned. Also there are the B body Mopars that use the'71-74 big 9.25" rear that is 62" wide, which would give a little more clearance to the lip on the body. Also the full size and intermediate Ford 9" from 1972-79 is 63", so very close too.
All of them beyond the 2nd gen Camaro and Firebird will need new perches welded on, and of course they will have a different bolt pattern, but that's minor. Just some other choices if you're building a powerhouse.

 

well my ultimate goal is to make a street/strip car out of it , i don't raelly know the specs on the engine, it was in the car when i got it, all i was told is that it was a bored 350 with dome pistons ,a 292 roller cam , late model center bolt heads, and edelbrock intake with a holley 4150 carb, other than that i'm clueless as to HP ratings or compression.

thanksfor the replies

Brad

 

well then your probably fine with just the 10 bolt

 

With that info I'd stick with the 8.5" 10 bolt. The 12 bolt is 8.75" ring gear, so you don't really gain enough for the cost of a 12 bolt, or a 9" conversion.
I've gone through every scenario possible on my Camaro, plus my present Austin gasser project using a GM 10 bolt. If your 10 bolt doesn't have the right gears, or isn't a posi, then a change might be cheaper if you can find a donor rearend that's got the gears and posi you want, even if the donor is another 10 bolt rearend.
But if you've got a 10 bolt that already has all that, or maybe just needs a gear change, or a locker installed, then I'd sure keep it and go that way. If you've got a 2 series carrier you can convert it to use any 3 ratio or lower gears with a ring gear spacer. Lots of options on the 10 bolt, and it's plenty strong enough.

 

(I've gone through every scenario possible on my Camaro,)

good, this what I need to know; I took out the 4sp in my 79 and installed a TH 350 with a 2500 stall, I neglected to check the rear gear ratio (most likly a 4;10 4:11) now Im driving 60mph at 4000 RPMs...but it kinda launches nice though.
now what is the best way to get a 3:08, preferably a posi with less than $200?...or is that possible

 

Yes, it's entirely possib;e to get a complete rearend with posi in 3.08 if you're patient and keep checking swap meets and Craigslist. I've seen them for that price, and even a bit less around my area. I've seen non-posi 3.08's for $100 recemtly, and 3 series posi carriers were all over the last swap meet for $50-$75.

 

I vote for the 10 bolt too. They get a bad wrap because of the C clips. Honestly I havent seen many with broken diff parts. I see a lot of broken axles at the track but 28 spline anything is vulnerable in my opinion. I was told once by a GM engineer ( can't throw a stone without hitting one in Michigan) he said " If they were crap don't you think we would have done something different when we launched the fourth gen Camaro?" he went on to add "either your clutch is gonna slip or the tires will loose traction before you break one." That has always stuck in my head.

 

12 bolts have C clips too Damon.