Gears & Axles Driveshafts | Rearends | Differentials | Gears | 12 Bolt | 9 Inch | Dana

Just a thought

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 10:26 AM
  #1  
lethal bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Dekalb, Ms
Default Just a thought

I was sitting and waiting on a green light the other day and noticed a caprice in front of me. Correct me if im wrong but isnt the caprice/impala rear end a 8.5 10 bolt. Would it be easier than swapping over a 8.8 and cheaper than a 12 bolt/9". Its just a thought prolly wouldnt be worth it but figured would hurt to ask.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 10:46 AM
  #2  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Iam not a B Body guy but I would check to see if it is the same type of suspension system. Not sure if B bodies used TQ arms. They may have had upper trailing arms which is akin to the older G bodies.

Edit:

I skimmed over google, came up with this....

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:1&um=1&itbs=1


Last edited by BlackScreaminMachine; Nov 3, 2010 at 10:52 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 10:59 AM
  #3  
flintwrench69's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 4
From: Mt Morris, Michigan
Default

You could make anything work if you have the time & are creative enough at fabricating. How do you think these guys are making these 8.8s work? Theyre welding the 10 bolt axle tubes on it & making a mount for torque arm, & using the 10 bolt axles. I gotta hand it to them for doing so but I would rather buy one from someone that makes them that I know will be reliable.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 11:14 AM
  #4  
ssvert99's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 5
From: Central Illinois
Default

the f-body is the only torque arm later model car that gm ever produced. the caprice uses a coil-spring suspension that is similar to the 82 and newer mustangs and would be no different that the 8.8 swap. a GM 8.5 rearend can be built as strong as a 8.8 ford, but can be costly.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 11:48 AM
  #5  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Originally Posted by flintwrench69
You could make anything work if you have the time & are creative enough at fabricating. How do you think these guys are making these 8.8s work? Theyre welding the 10 bolt axle tubes on it & making a mount for torque arm, & using the 10 bolt axles. I gotta hand it to them for doing so but I would rather buy one from someone that makes them that I know will be reliable.
The average enthusist is not a fabricator. Based on what the OP is asking, I would say he is going to have to pay someone to do the job.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 02:38 PM
  #6  
lethal bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Dekalb, Ms
Default

Originally Posted by BlackScreaminMachine
The average enthusist is not a fabricator. Based on what the OP is asking, I would say he is going to have to pay someone to do the job.
No i was planning on taking it on myself i was just wondering if it would be any easier than an 8.8 conversion. Basically i was wondering if most of the suspension and axle tubes were the same.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 03:45 PM
  #7  
flintwrench69's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 4
From: Mt Morris, Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by lethal bird
No i was planning on taking it on myself i was just wondering if it would be any easier than an 8.8 conversion. Basically i was wondering if most of the suspension and axle tubes were the same.
From what I read the 10 bolt axles slide right into the 8.8 rear, same splines. The 8.5 rear axles & tubes are larger diameter.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #8  
lethal bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Dekalb, Ms
Default

Originally Posted by flintwrench69
From what I read the 10 bolt axles slide right into the 8.8 rear, same splines. The 8.5 rear axles & tubes are larger diameter.
Gottca thanks
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 04:38 PM
  #9  
Latch's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsville, VA
Default

What I would like to know is how GM could have justified putting 7.5s in our cars when they already were putting 8.5s in Caprices!
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2010 | 05:43 PM
  #10  
89 formula350's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
Default

I think you can thank the 82-84 f-body cars they had hp numbers that would be lucky to break 200hp with a shot of Nitrous


they knew there was an issue and used the 9bolt 7.75" and offered a dana 44 but the 7.5/7.6 was in the s-10 so parts were cheaper which im sure they figured well parts are cheap and we can make these in house. had the 8.5 been cast from the start like the 7.5 im sure thats what you would have been given and wondered why not a 12 bolt
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:26 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE