i have a 79 t/a with around 500hp. i have the stock 10 bolt. im not sure what gears are in it now and what posi unit i have. i recently found a 10 bolt with 3.73 gears ready to go for $300. am i better off rebuilding mine? do i need anything special for the rear end to be able to install 3.73 gears? I have the 3.73 gears and rebuild kit for the rear end already. how much would i be looking at to install the gears and rebuild kit in my current rear end?

 

I was quoted $600.00 just to swap gears last year.

 

do i need the c clip eliminators or will i be just fine welding the axles to the hoghead?

 

Usually the camaros and T/A have 2.73 3.08 2.56 gears. IF you have 2.56 or 2.41 the posi will be a 2 series carrier and you will need a spacer OR a 3 series posi to install the 3.73 gears it the housing.
2.73 -4.10 gears will be the 3 series carrier posi

c-clip elim kit and welding the housing are for two totally different reasons.

You would weld the tubes to the center cast section so the tubes do not twist in the cast center ...NORMALLY if the plug welds in the cast center are correct from the factory you do not need to do this welding of the tube to the cast center...BUT since you can not see how well the plug weld penetration is it is done JUST TO BE SURE.

C-clip eliminators are for RACING and will be required at usually the 11 second 1/4 mile range at most sanctioned tracks if you consistently race your local track. track crews watch cars and tech crew will flag the car if they feel you are too fast with out safety parts needed...usually they give a kind warning first but keep pushing every visit they will stop you from racing.

c-clip elim kit. You really do not want to use this option for a mostly street vehicle. elim kit are usually ball bearing system and most are sealed and permanently lubed. So more built for short straight line action...plus being aluminum blocks ...bumpy streets are really not great for the life of the elim system. Also to install these piece it is required to cut the axle tube end off where the original c-clip bearing and seal are housed. So once done there is no going back with out some reconstructive surgery...lol

If you are going for both street strip application AND high torque and horsepower a olds or ford housing end and some moser strange etc custom race axles are your better bet...Yes expensive BUT the proper way to get both worlds accomplished safely.

Hope some of this if helps in our choice.

 

The 8.5 can hold the 500hp with a 30 spline swap aftermarket axles and a good 30 spline posi new bearings you will have a pretty strong diff...with out eliminating the c-clips Again it wll all depend on how much track time you intend on doing as to worry about the bolt in axle deal.

I have raced to 12.00 with STOCK 12 bolt chevy axles, 454 slick etc. never had an issue YET...still going after 13 years.

PM me if you want more info on the 30 spline upgrade...can set u up with those parts . Jim

 

I'm not a big fan of c-clip eliminators.I would rather cut the ends of the hiusing off,& weld new ones on to have a true bolt-in axle.Moser makes the #7900 housing ends to accept a large sealed ball-bearing design,or the Timken SET-20.I prefer the SET-20,as it is a tapered-roller,& can withstand side loads of cornering & typical street use,better than a ball-bearing design. The #7900 ends also have the same bolt patern for your backing plates,so you don't have to switch any brake parts.Just enlarge the center hole so the larger bearing can pass through it when you install the axle.I have done this exact axle for my friends 71 camaro,that runs high-9's,& so far,no issues after 6yrs.This might be a little overkill for what you are doing,but if you have ANY intentions of making more power in the future,you might as well do it once & be done.