GarthB87

Can Anyone tell me how long from axle to axle how long the rear end is in a third gen? Would be a great help. I am wondering if I can swap a Lincoln Versailles 9 inch with disc brakes into my third gen. Thanks again.

AlkyIROC

Third gen diffs are roughly 63-65" from axle flange to axle flange. I don't have the exact numbers.

How do you plan on attaching the torque arm? You can't swap any junkyard diff into a third gen without doing some sort of suspension modifications.

The lincoln disk brakes are terrible. They're old cast iron calipers, heavy and small.

GarthB87

I understand that but I have to find somthing stronger than whats in it. I have a little over 500 ft/lbs of torque out of my smallblock and I need something. As I am still a kid though I don't have 3000 dollars to spend on a rearend. If I can find some kind of solution to the problem I'll take it but I really want a 9". If I have to I guess I can go with Dana 44 for awhile but don't really want to. If you have any suggestions it would help greatly. I am trying to build my thirdgen for drag racing but don't have tons of money. It was hard enough getting a decent engine and transmission. Thanks alot for your time.

AlkyIROC

You spend a lot of money on the engine but won't spend a lot of money on the rest of the driveline.

The only suggestion I have is to use what you currently have. When or if it finally breaks, then decide how much it's worth to upgrade to something stronger.

You have a Dana44 under the car? I doubt you'll break that with your engine.

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a welder and some fabrication skills? Are you going to stick with the torque arm setup?
The 2nd gen Camaro's had an 8.5" 10 bolt rear end. Those are the right width, and take the same wheels. Only thing is you'd have to either make up all new brackets, or move yours from the 7.5" 10 bolt over to the 8.5". A chop saw, a drill press, some hole saws, drill bits and a welder and you can make all the brackets. Only tricky one is the torque arm bracket, since you've gotta weld to cast iron.
The upside is the brackets are relatively easy to make/swap, something you can do in your garage. Compared to narrowing a rear, getting custom axles, custom wheels, different brakes, and then still having to make up brackets...

Justin86camaro

so from backing plate to backing plate the second gen f body cars have the same measurement and out third gens??? so if i wanted to build a 8.5 10 bolt i would just unbolt the u bolts take the leafs off, make a bracket for the torque arm and fab up a coil over system such as the QA1?

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

The second gen axle is something like 5/8" narrower I think. The 4th gen is something like 2.5" wider, and people fit that in, so I think the 5/8" can be dealt with.

Well yea, basically that's how you'd do it. If you wanted to do a coil over. I'd do a normal spring and shock setup.
Also don't forget the panhard mount.

Blackroc86

I think the Lincoln Versailles rear ends are supposed to be the same width as ours. Not positive but i think I have read that somewhere.