So, I haven't been on this site in a good long while...mostly because the car has been working for a good long while...amazing, right? But, like all good things...it just couldn't last. Pursuant to my original mission statement on this car...I will fix NOTHING that is not broken...but when things DO break, I am going to "fix" them in the form of upgrading them to better things, more modern, etc. Last summer, right before getting the car ready for cold storage, the rear started acting up...getting clatter after running the car hard, and finally, last hard run, dumping a fair amount of yummy smelling gear oil onto my driveway. This weekend or next, I'm gonna open that sucker up, and see what I can see. It's 3.08 gears, which I have been wanted to get rid of for a while now, in favor of 3.55s. I just lack the know how to rebuild...so, I am thinking I might just buy a complete rebuilt unit. Zip has them for 900 bucks, and though stock, should be more than adequate...near as I can tell, my car makes MAYBE....MAYBE 300hp to the wheels. More likely, it's 250, lol. Anyway, this weekend or next, pics will be coming, and hopefully, I won't run into too many "while I'm at it" instances. Any advice on that front? I already have spicer U-joints. Other things to look for?

 

That is one way to go , you can also check with tracdog on this site and or toms rearends and i only suggest this because they can actually build yours and update the oem weaknesses .

 

I still have my original 3.36 gear set in a box (installed 3.90's) if your interest. But they are heavy and shipping to CT could be deal killer.

Good luck.

 

Thanks, but my end goal is the TKO600 5 speed, and for that, with my motor, which I spin up to 6k rpms...the 3.55s are best. Plus, I have no clue as to how to install a ring and pinion gear, and I also think I MAY be running into some other issues with my rear. Story is, the guy that sold me the car, traded the stock rear for the 3.08 (my car is a 4 speed manual) for power steering (really, brah?). I have NO idea what sort of abuse, life, etc, this 3.08 rear has had. I'm actually kinda shocked, and impressed with GM engineering that the pumpkin has lasted this long. I am not gentle with this car. And I run 295 tires in the back.

I had to go into work today, so no go, but tomorrow I will be seeing if this is a job for GTR1999, or if this is gonna be a replacement from ZIP.