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Rear end swap

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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 05:05 PM
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Default Rear end swap

hey guys I have a 94 camaro 3.4 v6 i am doing a swap to a complete 97 ss drivetrain... my car already has a 94 z28 rear end in it with 2.73 my 97 has 3.42 so i wast to swap the rears so that evrythong is from the 97 ss... problem is i have never done this and dont want to pay for another rear end swap... if you guys can lead in the right direction as to what needs to come off, what kinda tools i need, what to look out for, any info would be useful... a write up would be amazing thanks guys
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 07:15 PM
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It's really simple..just start unbolting stuff....

Here is the stuff you have to unbolt...


4 bolts on driveshaft
2 bolts on torque arm
1 bolt on each lower control arm
1 bolt on each shock (just the lower bolt)
1 bolt on each swaybar endlink
2 bolts on each swaybar mount
2 bolts on each caliper...ziptie it to something so it doesnt stretch the brake line.

A few other little odds and ends, but that's the main stuff.
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 07:24 PM
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This site should give you some good info http://www.funkz.net/firebird/ . It will be in the tech section and then click on rear end FAQ. You might want to take a look over on fullthrottlev6.com as well. It's dedicated to V6 cars and will usually be a better source of info for you.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 03:20 AM
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Try this, I think it's the site I used when I put my 12-bolt in. There's also some other links on it to other install pages.

http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/staf...uspension.html
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 07:43 AM
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Yea, its pretty straight forward, I think all you need to worry about is if you had ABS or not, or traction control, v6 for that year shouldnt, so it shouldnt matter what the 97ss had either.

But you may need to rewire for the proper engine harness. check cz28.com
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 03:22 PM
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Here is a link to a pretty decent swap write up with pics. The first link I posted will give you all the details on the different rears and such.

http://www2.turbov6camaro.com:443/rear.htm
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 05:53 PM
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okay i see all the parts that you guys are talking about. my next question is the brakes. i see the bolt on top of the diff but it looks like the lines are mounted with tabs along the axle. i dont want to disconnect the lines at all is this possible thanks for all the info guys
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by meangreenchevy
okay i see all the parts that you guys are talking about. my next question is the brakes. i see the bolt on top of the diff but it looks like the lines are mounted with tabs along the axle. i dont want to disconnect the lines at all is this possible thanks for all the info guys
You do not have to disconnect any brake lines...just unbolt that one bolt and the junction will come off. The tabs can be folded back.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 06:18 PM
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jetlag thank you for all of your help
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 07:50 PM
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i did my swap today, very simple process!

just remember when u unbolt the driveshaft, to not let it hit u in the head
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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 06:39 AM
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If I am going from a 3.23 '98 rear end to a 3.42 '01 rear end should all the break line fittings be the same?
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Old Oct 20, 2008 | 06:53 PM
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from my knowedge they are not too sure of the abs though
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 01:50 PM
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should be the same unless one rear was traction control and the other wasn't. You should be able to just unbolt the brakeline holder from the pumpkin, and anywhere else the brakelines are attached to the axle, un-bolt the calipers and hang them on the body, drop the axle and re-bolt the brake lines back up to the axle without ever disconnecting the brake lines from eachother. I did that when I changed to a 12-bolt. That way you don't even have to bleed the brakes!
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 12:36 PM
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Good info. I bought a rear end from someone on the board here and am getting ready to put it in. What about swapping the brake backing plates? is that a big deal? Any issues about centering the rear end although I guess the panhard bar locates it? Thanks for the links!
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 06:59 PM
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I'm not 100% positive but I believe that you have to pull c-clips from inside the differential to get the backing plates off or they have to be pressed on I can't remember. I ordered mine with the backing plates already installed from tbyrne before they went out of business.
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 09:49 PM
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Thanks, I bought the factory manual off eBay awhile ago so I guess I'll have to actually look at it!
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