I got 98 Camaro and the rear end has gone out...I got plans to tube the front end and drop ls3 in(yes I'm aware of all the work involved) so I'm not wanting to fix current one or find a direct replacement...what rear end would you use that would bolt right up to current setup that will also handle ls3 in few months

 

dana 60 or 12 bolt will do nicely. strange engineering and moser are good. usually run about 3k

 

GM never built a rear that will bolt into a 4th gen can handle a LS3. Anything you get will need custom mounts. Like Craby said, Strange is one manufacture and there are a lot of other. You should look to the ford 9" , a complete GM 12 bolt ready to bolt into your car is going to be pricey. Just a used 12 bolt rear can sell for $1000. By the time a company like strange gets it, rebuilds, cuts it to size and welds up the mount well you get the point. Post back the best deals you find

There are some ways to build a rear on the cheap but none of them are bolt in and they will require a fair amount of engineering and welding.

 

The torque arm is what kills building a rear end for these cars the most.

A stronger bolt in rear end will cost $2-3k depending on options. And no, it is not worth building the rear end that is in it. When GM built these cars, they should have used the 8.5/8.6 rears from the 1/2 ton trucks. Much stronger and can handle power when built right.