rear axle swap . 83 firebird ?

[UK 51]

i have been offered the rear end set up from an 83 3rd gen firebird, will this be suitable to use on my 51 3100 ? sorry if its a dumb question, but i dont want to get it if its going to be too wide, thanks in advance

[Atomsplitter]

Error

[Atomsplitter]

I'm still trying to figure out what my truck has but I was told mine has a Camaro rear end about that vintage but it's too rusted to pull any serial number off. It works great, just the right width and it looks like this.

[UK 51]

thankyou for the reply ! its hard to find used US parts like this in england so want to be sure before i waste my hard earned !

[BigDan3131]

That looks like a Camaro rear end, that block on the side with two holes in it is for the torque arm.

[va4cqd]

weak rear ends

[mr48chev]

Width wise I think it is pretty close. Most likely 60/62 inches flange to flange. Strength wise unless you are building a 400 hp plus engine I don't see an issue. I would pull the rear cover and inspect the gears and the pin that holds the spiders in as quite often that pin gets sloppy in the carrier and the rear end isn't any good. That is an issue with any GM spicer 10 bolt rear end though.

[406 Q-ship]

As long as your just going to cruise then the 82-92 F-body rear axle will be OK. If you run at the track or you put anything over 200 hp to it harshly then forget it, those rear axles are made of thin GLASS. I worked at the dealers in the 1980's and we replaced a TON of the 7.5 in Trans Ams, this was the L69 (190 hp/305) engine not some super high torque engine.

[UK 51]

its going to be a cruiser, so should be ok , i am hopefully putting a 305 or 350 in , thanks for all the advice and replies

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by UK 51

its going to be a cruiser, so should be ok , i am hopefully putting a 305 or 350 in , thanks for all the advice and replies

If its a 9 Bolt then its better than a 10 bolt

here are some dimensions

GM
60.00 1967-1969 Camaro
60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova
60.50 1984-1995 Corvette
60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle
62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup
62.50 1968-1972 Chevelle
62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird
61.00 82-92 9 bolt Firebird

Ford
61.00 1964-1971 Ford Full Size
61.00 1949-1951 Mercury
61.25 1957-1972 Ford F-100 Pickup
61.25 1960-1964 Ford Full Size
61.25 1971-1973 Mustang
61.25 1967-1973 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane

Mopar
59.20 1962-1970 8 3/4 B-body
60.00 1937-1948 All Mopars
60.70 All 8 3/4 E-body
60.70 All 9 3/4 E-body
62.00 All 8 1/4 B-body
62.00 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Atomsplitter

I'm still trying to figure out what my truck has but I was told mine has a Camaro rear end about that vintage but it's too rusted to pull any serial number off. It works great, just the right width and it looks like this.

Thats a camaro or firebird rear, How many cover bolts? 9 or 10?

[Atomsplitter]

It's a 10 bolt cover with 3:42 gears, no posi. and drum brakes.
Works well for my 300hp (330ft/lbs)....so far!
Then again it's a 3200lb truck with a light rear end so I can break them free a little bit to easily some times.

[va4cqd]

i broke the gears in my old S15 with a mild 305. same 7½" gears