The Camaro Club (UK)

Hi guys, I've read in the camaro performance handbook about people swapping 3rd gen axles (in 3rd gen camaros) for a fourth gen axle. I think it was basically saying that the bracketery is all the same as on the fourth gen axle the only difference is the 4th gen axle is wider. Still with me? I'm wondering/trying to find out if A: this is true, and B: Could the 3rd gen axle be put into a 4th gen car? The reason being I want to lower my camaro but lose the top of the wheel inside the arch, not so simple as the wheels are 20" x 10". I know there could then possibly be issues moving wheels inboard but hey. Anybody got any idea?

i have a third gen axle here i can take some pics and give you some dimentions if that helps but i know nothing about the 4th gen axle

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83 camaro z28
94 mitsubishi pajero 2.8
2001 shogun 3.2 did
2001 ford transit hi top lwb

4th gen axle is wider, if I remember correctly it will push the wheels out 0.5" each side but I can double check that if needed.

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i know that they are interchangeable bracket wise, and know of 4th gen axles in 3rd gens.

the only thing you would have to do is possibly machine the brake back plates to put the 4th gen discs on the 3rd gen axle. Im not sure ablut the width tbh or if it would really help a lot for the hassle involved.

Are you not wanting to trim your arches? I've cut mine down as my 18" are on an ET +24 so stick right out flush with the arches and used to scrap

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'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)

Hi guys, any help is greatly appreciated. I would be up for trimming the arches as I don't think theres a way around that one. Getting parts machined is not a problem either. Just wish I could remember what the offset was on the wheel again! but yeah they are flush to poking out in relation to the arch. I had wondered about getting another 4th gen axle and shortening the shafts but that is obviously bracketry permitting, would need to look into that further.

Don't know if you can really tell from the pic how they sit, they look smaller than in the flesh too which doesn't help? Would look awesome tho I reckon lowered but with the rear wheels inside the arches. The eibach springs i've seen would help i think they're slightly more than an inch lower but a grinder would soon have another coil off

rims look nice and not too big for 20" either. They do look to poke out though and arch cutting may not help

Have you got a few friends you can get in the rear seats and some stood in boot to see how it will sit??

The eibach springs are low, I took mine out as the tires scraped even after arch cutting and they were flush with the front of the arch so not good, also bottomed out on bump stops alot

You could easily shorten a 4th gen case downbut i'm not sure if you would have to order special axle shafts or something to match, I believe stock are cast and machined so wouldn't be 'safe' to cut and weld up really

mine with the eibachs

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'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)

Thats very helpful dude thanks alot! I can see the springs wouldn't be as big of a problem on the front atleast. And yeah, would definitely take more than cutting the rear arches hence the axle enquiry. Didn't realise the stock shafts are cast which kinda buggers up the idea/plan!!
Getting off the subject, where'd you get your clear sidelights/indicators from? I just bought some from the states for m.o.t purposes but now they're here they not as good quality as I'd hoped they would be.

yeah got mine from states too, and i'd prob agree with the quality not being great they were only $15 then post

the 'lens' bit is actually ok but the platics seems like its made from melted down action men :O

once fitted you cant see the top edge if that is crappy and they still look ok. They are a bit of a nightmare to do getting under the car and undoing the under panel

you could try get some 3rd gen axle shafts provided they were the corret splines and shorten your axle then, but most salvage yards like to sell complete so the axle swap might be best

have you spoke to a machinist to see if they can trip your wheels down on hubs if there is enough material??

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'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)

Hey, sorry for the delay! Thanks for the info, I have messed around with the side markers/indicators previously as they weren't working properly and yeah they're tricky to get at.
Regarding the axle stuff, will keep an eye out for another axle and also do some measuring! If there is plenty of meat on the wheel/hub face machining wouldn't be too much of a problem as I'm in engineering and we got a machine shop at work (new I did this job for a reason hahaha!)

cool, yeah did mine when front bumper was off as much easier to get to

there are come companies that do shorter axle shafts from about £250 a pair, but then you need to cut axle tubes down too, just more expence.

i'd go the wheels route if there is enough meat on them.

haha my dad is engineer too, hence all my custom exhaust etc always good

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'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)