Why dont you buy a rear from a camaro that came stock with 3.42s that will bolt right in? That rear looks like it doesnt have a torque arm mount on it.

 

I thought about that. But finding another 7.5 with lower gears wouldn't be doing the rear any better. The fact of the matter is the 7.5s are like glass, why GM decided they'd work behind the V8s, I have no clue.

I could buy a drop in 12 bolt, 9 in, or S60, but that's a lot of money I don't have to just drop on something like that and I like to be creative and enjoy challenges. I picked this 8.5 up for $50 and it can be built as strong as a 12 bolt with the right stuff. Your observations are right though, it doesn't have a provision for a torque arm on it. I did a little research and found out that the '80s GNx used this rear end, with a piece similar to a torque arm. I'm going to use that as my basis for a mount. I feel confident that this can be built to handle all the power I'll ever have for around $1000, possibly less if I reuse some stuff. I got the idea from the link below. Different rear, but same concept.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...ght-8-8-a.html

 

its not the gears in the 10 bolt that go, its the housing. once it starts flexing its all over with. heres a 9 in housing for under 1k. QP GM 1993-2002 F Body 9 Inch Housing & Moser Axles

 

I'll agree that the housing is weak, but the small diameter of the gears doesn't help either. And that gets worse the lower the gear set is.

The only thing I have against getting a 9in is the amount of power it takes to turn it and it's a bit overkill for what I need. Plus that's a $1k not including the center section and gears. Center and gears is another +/- $800. Too deep for my pockets. I like the idea of making this 8.5 work, it's not going to be easy, but it's not impossible either. I need something to do with my free time any ways.

That's what I thought, but wanted a second opinion. If I had a six speed, I wouldn't think twice about getting anything other than 4.10s, but sadly, I have an auto. :/

 

So last time I posted, I mentioned getting true duels hooked up and the 8.5 rear in the car. Well, despite having pictures of both the TSP and Kooks systems, the shop I was dealing with backed out on it and then questioned my choice of having long tubes on my car....so that didn't end up happening. Instead, I ordered a 3in. stainless steel cat-back made by Phab and paid $245 shipped to my door. It's sounds amazing when you get on it!


As for the 8.5, that is still a go and is in the works right now. Just researching the best material to make the mount out of and trying to find a cheap 7.5 to use for the spring perches and LCA mounts.

I also got a set of black valve covers from work for free that I sand blasted and repainted brilliant metallic silver and got those installed last night. As I look at this picture, I realize I need to do A LOT of cleaning under the hood.


At the same time I managed to finally get my oil pressure sensor hooked up to the spot at the back of the intake. I also discovered that at some point, my accessories bracket lost a bolt and it makes me suspect that's what is causing my belt to squeal. So, does any one know approximately how long and the thread for the accessories bracket bolt that goes down by the tensioner?

 

So today started off pretty good. While cleaning the garage up, UPS lady brought me my new shocks from Summit. Very happy with how fast I get stuff from Summit. Ordered them Sunday and got them today. The day went sour though. We got hit with a storm with 60+ mph winds and while I was in my room listening to music, a tree branch clipped the passenger side of my car. My brother said he watched in happen right when he pulled in our driveway. I guess it hit the windshield and then rolled down the hood before hitting ground.


New rear shocks, 3 way adjustable

What I came upstairs too.


After moving the car I took a pic of the tree that hit it.


And finally the damage.

 

Ouch, well that sucks. ***** nature must not be a Camaro girl I guess! Will your insurance cover that?

 

dang, got the windshield, looks like everything else is not so bad. got ins, hope so. that tree limb looks like its rotting from the inside. see how it busted all up when it hit the ground/car. i would be very weary of that tree.

 

Yeah, the windshield is the part that pissed me off the most. The mirror and paint are easy fixes but windshields are never fun. We're gonna be calling our homeowners ins. to see if they'll cover it. Hopefully they do, even if it's half of it.

 

Not to harp on you for building your 8.5, but do keep in mind, you're going to have a LOT of money in either building or buying a torque arm for your car. Its a LOT of work, we're on the 3rd revision of mine now and its still not perfect. 1000 dollars even with what you have now is going to be pushing it.

FWIW, you can buy a used iron center section with the daytona pinion support for under 150 bucks and a set of gears is 100 bucks new. The 9" are so common that there are deals to be had. A set of GOOD 35 spline axles from moser for the correct fbucket width are 350 bucks, 31 spline could be cheaper and those are brand new prices. If you shop around, you can do a 9" housing for under 1000 bucks pretty easily, but no matter how you look at it, you'll have +/- 400 in your torque arm/torque arm mount