1987 cutlass rear end!

easytobedead · August 27th, 2008, 11:52 AM

ok i was told for people that have limited slip rear end, that if you want bigger gear ratio an keep limited slip that you can get it out of a olds station wagon? true? or false?

Lady72nRob71 · August 28th, 2008, 05:18 AM

Maybe...
A Cutlass Cruiser of the same vintage ~may~ be a good source for lower gear ratio as the wagons often came equipped to tow trailers and move lots of weight (cargo, people, etc). As for limited slip, it was an option and it may or may not be available.
A B-body wagon axle (Custom Cruiser) would be far from a bolt-in.

How low a ratio do you wish to go?
I believe the wagons will have the 7.5" housing as all the other standard G bodies.
If you want a very low ratio that requires an 8.5" housing, those would only be available from a 442, MCSS, or Regal GN (to be bolt-in).
Hope this helps...

joe_padavano · August 28th, 2008, 05:50 AM

Unless your 87 is a VIN 9 442, you have the weak-kneed 7.5" axle. Look under S-10 pickups for steeper gear sets. The S-10 axle housing is different due to the leaf springs, but the center section should swap with yours.

easytobedead · August 28th, 2008, 10:08 AM

thank you very much!i am just looking to up the anti a bit. not going super crazy. but don't like the gears in it right now but i don't want to rip the hole end out.

Is that to much to ask>?

monzaz · August 29th, 2008, 08:34 PM

If you are going to swap out gears your better off removing the whole rear. It will be way easier for install and you can consentrate on getting it in correct. If it is your first swap you will need all the help you can get. Plus you can clean up the under carriage etc. If you have a lift then your probably ok or you young and have alot of back left. I am 40 and done with the laying under car deal...lol. Jim

I can get you gears also if you need. Here is some of the problem with 7.5 posi unit from the late 70's and early 80's. One the posi unit are usually 2 series which means 3.08 is as high as you can go with that carrier. They do sell spacers (50.00) and also thick aftermarket gears too. (which I sell also)
now you can get a s-10 posi (limited slip unit BUT it usually is a gov lock eato which are really not made for performance driving... They are to just get you out of the mud or ice or snow at lower speed when your stuck. NOT burning out or drag racing...They tend to blow up under the lock up mod which happens when they sense slipping of one wheel faster than another. THEN the unit locks up. Performance units are always on...They are usually found in the cars. NOT trucks. Hope this info helps too. Jim

easytobedead · August 29th, 2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monzaz

If you are going to swap out gears your better off removing the whole rear. It will be way easier for install and you can consentrate on getting it in correct. If it is your first swap you will need all the help you can get. Plus you can clean up the under carriage etc. If you have a lift then your probably ok or you young and have alot of back left. I am 40 and done with the laying under car deal...lol. Jim

I can get you gears also if you need. Here is some of the problem with 7.5 posi unit from the late 70's and early 80's. One the posi unit are usually 2 series which means 3.08 is as high as you can go with that carrier. They do sell spacers (50.00) and also thick aftermarket gears too. (which I sell also)
now you can get a s-10 posi (limited slip unit BUT it usually is a gov lock eato which are really not made for performance driving... They are to just get you out of the mud or ice or snow at lower speed when your stuck. NOT burning out or drag racing...They tend to blow up under the lock up mod which happens when they sense slipping of one wheel faster than another. THEN the unit locks up. Performance units are always on...They are usually found in the cars. NOT trucks. Hope this info helps too. Jim

thank you very much! how much is all this ? an i am not looking for the best but a good rear. an yea i will be working on my back with my little bro{who is in love with 80s delta 88} i need all the info i can get !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

monzaz · August 30th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Please PM me and I will pass you a phone number and will go over what you want the car to do and how much you have to spend, Hopefully we can find something decent that will work for you. Jim -J D Race.com

August 27th, 2008, 11:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
easytobedead Just A BaBy {: Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: hobart,IN Posts: 414	1987 cutlass rear end! ok i was told for people that have limited slip rear end, that if you want bigger gear ratio an keep limited slip that you can get it out of a olds station wagon? true? or false? __________________ +2001 Aurora +2003 4.0 Aurora +1979 hurst/olds +1997 Jeep cherokee 5.5" lift 33 MTZ

August 28th, 2008, 05:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lady72nRob71 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 10,565	Maybe... A Cutlass Cruiser of the same vintage ~may~ be a good source for lower gear ratio as the wagons often came equipped to tow trailers and move lots of weight (cargo, people, etc). As for limited slip, it was an option and it may or may not be available. A B-body wagon axle (Custom Cruiser) would be far from a bolt-in. How low a ratio do you wish to go? I believe the wagons will have the 7.5" housing as all the other standard G bodies. If you want a very low ratio that requires an 8.5" housing, those would only be available from a 442, MCSS, or Regal GN (to be bolt-in). Hope this helps... __________________ -Rob Young 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible- (442 clone) -"Lady" (My mistress...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalbum/sets/ Lady's interior makeover Rally Pac stuff Front end job Underhood resto 1986 Cutlass Supreme Coupe - "Pristine" 1978 Furd Pinto (Old Faithful) a.k.a. "the Tramp" - in the family since new. 1997 Cadillac STS 1999 H arley-Davidson Sportster - "the Freedom Machine"

August 28th, 2008, 05:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
joe_padavano Old(s) Fart Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 11,725	Unless your 87 is a VIN 9 442, you have the weak-kneed 7.5" axle. Look under S-10 pickups for steeper gear sets. The S-10 axle housing is different due to the leaf springs, but the center section should swap with yours. __________________ Joe Padavano 62 F-85 Deluxe wagon 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

August 28th, 2008, 10:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
easytobedead Just A BaBy {: Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: hobart,IN Posts: 414	thank you very much!i am just looking to up the anti a bit. not going super crazy. but don't like the gears in it right now but i don't want to rip the hole end out. Is that to much to ask>? __________________ +2001 Aurora +2003 4.0 Aurora +1979 hurst/olds +1997 Jeep cherokee 5.5" lift 33 MTZ

August 29th, 2008, 08:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
monzaz Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Richfield, Oh Posts: 674	gear swap If you are going to swap out gears your better off removing the whole rear. It will be way easier for install and you can consentrate on getting it in correct. If it is your first swap you will need all the help you can get. Plus you can clean up the under carriage etc. If you have a lift then your probably ok or you young and have alot of back left. I am 40 and done with the laying under car deal...lol. Jim I can get you gears also if you need. Here is some of the problem with 7.5 posi unit from the late 70's and early 80's. One the posi unit are usually 2 series which means 3.08 is as high as you can go with that carrier. They do sell spacers (50.00) and also thick aftermarket gears too. (which I sell also) now you can get a s-10 posi (limited slip unit BUT it usually is a gov lock eato which are really not made for performance driving... They are to just get you out of the mud or ice or snow at lower speed when your stuck. NOT burning out or drag racing...They tend to blow up under the lock up mod which happens when they sense slipping of one wheel faster than another. THEN the unit locks up. Performance units are always on...They are usually found in the cars. NOT trucks. Hope this info helps too. Jim

August 30th, 2008, 06:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
monzaz Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Richfield, Oh Posts: 674	rear end parts and info Please PM me and I will pass you a phone number and will go over what you want the car to do and how much you have to spend, Hopefully we can find something decent that will work for you. Jim -J D Race.com

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