I asked the shop the same question about a LSD rear when I was looking around, they said the cheapest LSD rear they have ever seen from a junk yard was around $800-$900.

I forgot to mention I have aftermarket wheels, so hopefully the axle size won't matter.

 

So I had an unexpected surprise when I talked to the shop after my car was done...the rear I bought was a limited slip rear! It was the clutch style LS, so does it most likely have 3.42 gears? I know the 93-97 v8 rear had the clutch style LS, did the y87 v6 have the same and if so would the vin number say whether a v6 is y87?

I figure it's either a y87 v6, or the previous owner swapped out with a v8 rear. Either way I'm happy.

 

Read the gears when you have the cover off to change the oil, which should definitely be done considering its a used unit with no idea about service history.

 

I had the shop change the oil when they put it in, but since I was assuming it was a standard open diff I didn't ask them to tell me what gear was in it.

It does feel like it's a 3.42 but maybe the increase in throttle response is coming from a rear end that just doesn't has an much restriction as the old one?

 

99-01 y87 Zexel-Torsen T-2 Limited Slip Differential

96-98 y87 Auburn Limited Slip Differential

only auto v6 cars got 3.42's, 5 speed 3.23

and yes the vin will tell you the gears and lsd

 

Do you have a link to a good site to decode the vin for the car this rear came form?

 

The Vin won't tell you. The RPO codes, however, will.

 

What about the RPO codes on his car, what rearend will it tell him he now has?
Because of instances like this (a transplant), RPO codes may not always be trustworthy.

 

Well I guess it's not that important. I know it's a clutch style limited slip. Now I wonder how much time is left on the clutch packs that are currently there.

Will it do any damage to run the car for a long time after the clutches wear out?

What is a typical labor rate for changing out the clutches?

 

Jack car up. Turn wheel, Wheels should turn in the same direction if the clutches are working. Put a chalk mark on the tire and the drive shaft. Turn the wheel 10 times and count how many times the drive shaft turns. If it turn 32 plus a little its the 3.23, if it turns 34 plus its the 3.42

At any point in time if one wheel stops turning the test will not work.

Normally the clutches wear out and the customer doesn't even know. Every once in a while you will see clutch parts damage the gears.