Any body try puttin a complete ls1 rear end into a third gen? If so what problems occured? Is the rear end worth it?

 

Yeah, we've done it. You'll need 4th gen wheels because the rear end is 4" wider! It bolts right in; hard to hook up the emergency brake. You'll need hydraulic lines from a non-traction control car.

Other than gaining the big disc brakes, and having lower miles, I don't see much advantage.

 

Simple bolt in. I have one in my 88 camaro, used disc brake parking brake cables from a 90 model i believe(gm parts list 2 lengths and i used the longer ones, all i had to do was open up the holes at the backing plate(only problem i have seen is spring no long enough and not pulling the parking brake shoes all the way back). Other advantages is i went from a 2.73 open diff to a 3.42 limited slip for $300 and went from drum brakes to disc brakes (also requires disc brake proportioning valve from newer third gen). You could run third gen wheels but they stick out 2" and you might have to clearance the calipers depending on which wheels, i chose 4th gen wheels and had to get spacers in the front.

Clint

 

yea i was thinkin bout doin it, but i dont have the money for the wheels...i would probably eventually get some vette rims that with the right offset but im still indecisive for what im going to do with my rear end if i drop in an ls1. Thanks for the input

 

For the money you can beat a 4th gen rear, disc conversion(my case), better gear ratoi(at least $200 if you do labor), limited slip(at least $250 if you do labor and cheap diff), so for the price i love this mod. as far as not affording the wheels, i bout salad shooters for my car (93-96) camaro wheels and they look better on my 3rd gen then they do on the 4th gens, the lines look like they go together. You can usually pick up a whole set for less than $100 i just did some work for a guy and he gave them to me.

 

Yea im buyin 4th gen rear end...200 bucks. and its close so i dont have to have it shipped. Everyone's says to get a 12 bolt, but i dont have 1200 to spend on a rear end...its not like ill be makin 600 rwhp or anything, just a stock ls1 with possible a mild cam. About the wheels...I like the deep dish look on a wheel, because of the rear end being 4" longer than stock will it even be possible in the future to find some nice deep dish rims(ie Ronal firehawk)?

 

You might want to define "tons better". I hope you're not referring to strength. They are both pretty weak, with the latest ones being just a little bit better.

 

Weak is true, but also untrue. I have heard of many people breaking the 10-bolts, but they are usually 6-speed cars doing 4-6000 rpm launches with slicks.

Our 10-bolt is holding up fine in our '01 z, It is a 4L60e with a Yank TP4400 with a stock 10-bolt and 4.10 gears, no reinforement at all. stock cover, stock housing, stock style crush sleeve stc. And it is holding up to 1.47 60's and high 10's 1/4 all day long. But i do believe we are getting a little lucky, but how extreme are these third gens going to get. They can take some abuse though.

Clint

 

Can anyone post pics of what it looks like from behind??

Thanks

 

And my original 3rd gen rear is also holding up to consistant 1.57 60', 11.6 - 11.7 times with a TP4400 and Hoosiers. BUT, it's just a matter of time!

My only point was that as you start pouring the power to a 3rd gen, a 4th gen rear end should not be considered a real strength upgrade.
The guy above who said they are "tons better" only made a big improvement over his original, apparently crummy setup. He must have had a single pull, high ratio, drum brake rear in his 3rd gen, so he was able to make a big improvement by going to a 4th gen rear with posi, better gear ratio, and disc brakes.
As a general rule for a similarly optioned rear end, the late 4th gen offers bigger brakes, maybe a slightly stronger posi, and that's about all.

 

Yea im only looking for something better than I have now. Like i said before non posi 2.73s wit 100,000 miles is just not gunna work wit an ls1, hopefully the rear end normally on ls1 will be good enough.

 

You are completely conrrect, i went from a crap third gen rear as well. My only point was if you are not going any further than an LS1 swap with maybe a cam there isnt quite as much reason to up grade to a $2000 rear end. With a six-speed if you plan to race quite a bit with sticky tires than you would need one sooner. Yes they are weak, but you have to look at your overall plan with the car, is the up graded rear worth the money if you will never use it to its potential.

 

I watched a Moser 12-bolt rear puke it's Auburn posi two weeks ago at Indy Raceway Park. Well built 355ci LT1, sticky tires, nice clutch, and a high-rev launch. Boom.

No rear is bulletproof.

 

That's an understatement.

The guy probably launches harder on traffic lights than most of us do at the strip.

 

Good to know that they bolt right in. I think 3rd gens with newer 4th gen wheels look sweet!

Maybe I should keep the '88 ha

 

I wish i had the money to pick up your '88 tony, but hell I dont even have enough money to finish the '88 i have. I do love the third gens. Some how mine made even the cheap Salad shooters look alright. Hopefully pic will work.
Clint

 

Hey Cain,

Got any pics from the back, so I can see how far the rearend sticks out?

Thanks...

 

yea those wheels dont look to bad on that car. I think it might have to do with the color its painted. I duno if they would look as good on mine. Does anybody know if there are any problems using my stock rims other than they stick out??

 

WoW! Look nice, I would like to see other sizes as well.....Maybe some 10.5s or 11s

 

Also, for wheel fitting purposes will the 4th gen 9'' and 12 bolt bolt into the third gen??

Thanks