The Camaro Club (UK)

My car had a little visit to Paul at Southern Axles in Watford this week, for some new rear gears.

My Camaro originally came with the economy 'highway' rear diff ratio of 2.56 which is great for economy and top speed, but lousy for acceleration and actual speed through the gearbox. As I had a 5 speed overdrive conversion done about 4 years ago, and the ear axle is about the only mechanical part of the car left untouched it was the last piece of the puzzle to sort out.

After lots of head scratching and online investigation using speed/rev calculators I settled on 3.42 as the best ratio for me. I didn't want to go any higher as I don't drag race the car and still want reasonable motorway rpm, and a decent (150mph+ ) top speed ability.

Picked up the car yesterday and on the brief drive home it was so much better, pulls cleaner from standstill, as it doesn't feel like taking off in 2nd as it was before, and the way it stayed on power through the gears is so much more more satisfying.... and of course it accelerates a bit quicker !!!
I've got to take it easy for a few miles to let them bed in, which will be a shame but should still be fun on Easter Monday for those comng out to play . Hopefully next track day they'll really make the difference.


I'd highly recommend Southern Axles, he specialises in yank motors as well as most Euro/Jap cars, and he also sorted my noisy Transit rear diff very fast last December too.
www.axle-services.com/

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Nice, I've got 2.73 in my rear end, which I think was the 'Economy' in 1970. I'm going to see how it drives when I get it on the road (I still have the TH350) and then maybe try 3.42 which seems to be a good balance.

Be interested to hear how you get on once they've bedded in

Cheers.

I might end up getting mine rebuilt with a proper ratio too, how much was it if you dont mind me asking?

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My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

I spent the last couple of years keeping my eyes out for a 3.42 or 3.73 10 bolt with posi, but the hot rod boys nick them all
It was about 500 all up for dropping the axle, new gears, fluids and install etc... might be cheaper if you just give them the axle off the car

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Cool, thanks for that.

Did you provide the posi and bearings etc?

David

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My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

It had the factory posi in good order hence another reason to stick with my axle. . Not sure what the deal is with new bearings. Guessing mine were ok or he'd have replaced them, didn't discuss bearings to be honest. .

Had a good little blast yesterday and it makes such a difference through the gears. Will take some time to stop throwing it into the wrong gear

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Odd then. The diff carriers are different from 2.73 and up ratios. Below that they were the 2 series, above the 3 series. The mounting face for the gears is in a different place slightly to account for the different pinion size.

Maybe there is a trick to make it work though!

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My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

spacer...

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Hi Stu
Sounds like the new gears are working out for you.
I was lucky as my 79 Z28 had 3:42's in from the factory (Optional) , loads of acceleration but but always seemed to be reving the nuts off it at higher speeds with the TH350 box in it.
Should be interesting to see how they work out when i eventually get the six speed T56 box fitted.
Should make it fun

Cheers Si

I don't think I would have ever changed them without the 5 speed manual I have now. I don't remember it feeling too bad when I had the 3 speed auto TH350 in mine, it still ran out of puff due to no overdrive...

I reckon with T56 it'll be great.

I did some calculations using http://www.ramblerman.com/blazer/gearcalc.htm and with my original gear at 5500 rpm I'd have been able to hit 240 mph ( ), but now only I can only get to 200mph... !

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”