New guy here. just boughta 79 camaro. the previous owner installed 2.41 rear end gears, which are no fun so Id like the change them out for Im thinking 3.73s.I was thinking itd be easier to just swap out the whole rear end instead of changing the ring and pinion. the question is, will any 8.5" 10 bolt rearend fit, or does it have to be from an f body? Im thinking some models might be wider or have different mounting brackets or something. thanks for the help

 

For a direct bolt in swap, you need a rearend from any 1970-1981 Camaro or Firebird.

I have done the same thing, went from a 2.73 one legger to a 3.73 posi (too low for freeway driving) then to a 2.41 posi (too high for any good performance) and now I have a 3.08 posi which is a good all around ratio for my turbo 350 tranny!

 

Mine had a 2:73 and I rebuilt it with richmond 3:23, and auburn posi, about the same as NorCal_71's 3:08, so Im at around 3200 rpm @60-65 mph w/a turbo 350 tranny. If you want 3:73's youll only be good for town-it wont be good on the highway (unless you have an overdrive tranny)

 

them 2.41s would do good on the salt flats.my car had the same thing from the factory.i swapped out the whole rearend,now i have a 3.70 posi and i believe it came out of a 79