8.5 rear end

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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
805Cutlass's Avatar
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From: Ventura California
8.5 rear end

looking to up the gears on my stock 72 cutlass. i believe it has 2.73 right now, looking to up it to 3.42. besides the gear ring and pinion is there anything else i would need to do the swap?
Old Aug 27, 2012 | 10:31 PM
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You might want to consider a posi unit. What is your intended purpose for the car?
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 09:15 AM
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805Cutlass's Avatar
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I have a work car so this will be the cruise around town with the ol lady maybe even hit the strip once in a while...I'd just like to beef it up/ add some torque...I'm pretty new to all this and don't have much money to do anything crazy so I'm starting out with the basics, I plan to change gears put in a dual exhaust headers then see where I'm at then. With this gear combo would I be a able to lay some rubber down??
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 09:21 AM
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Oh and about posi, could I install that later or would it be smarter to do it together with the gear swap? Sweet car btw 64pilot
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 09:50 AM
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You should install it all together. Get a posi carrier for 3.42 gears and swap em all at the same time. Whether it lays rubber down or not is another question, one that is best answered by your engine

Thanks btw!
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 11:54 AM
  #6  
805Cutlass's Avatar
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Like i said im pretty new to this but ive been looking around and found a Richmond gear and pinion set, is that a good company, if so what a good posi carrier and whats the price range on them? Also, what should I be looking for as for installation kits?
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 01:48 PM
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Oh don't get my lying on the installation kits...

I have Richmond gears that I had installed about 14 years ago and they are holding up just fine. I had them instal an Auburn posi unit at the same time. The whole assembly is treating me well and has been for the last 14 years.
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 02:31 PM
  #8  
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With changing the rear end gears wouldn't the speedometer gear also need to be changed so the speedo reads the correct speed?
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 02:37 PM
  #9  
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Yes, you can find gear selections here as well as the calculations for determining which gear you need:

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/sp...____va.htm#400
Old Oct 18, 2012 | 12:55 PM
  #10  
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jfb
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Amen about that posi and gears,I have the same thing and strength is always there.
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