Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

[Rhunadan]

Hi, I have a few questions about swapping the rear end of my 96 camaro to a Z28 unit. This idea came about when I decided that I wanted to put disk brakes on the back. A friend suggested that I swap the entire axle to a Z28, which already has them and a bonus would be that I would get posi as well. Is this a correct assumption? What year axles would fit my 96? My car has traction control. Is this compatible with a Z28 axle?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Tony.

[Fondle]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

axles should already be in the new rear end, all of the 10bolts use the same size axles either way

any rear from 93-97 possibly 98-02 should fit in your rear, if you have traction control, you need to find a z28 rear with traction control for it to work

[ssms5411]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

93-96 axles are the same and 97-02 are the same, 93-96 were different due to having drums in the rear. Moser has 93-96 axles that are stronger than stock if needed. Then you have to make sure if you have traction control rear to get the right axles.

[Rhunadan]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

I apologize gentlemen. I keep saying axle, but I'm referring to the entire rear end assembly.
A local scrap yard has a 97 Z28 setup w/traction control, but he's not sure if it fits a 96.
Price up here in Ontario is between $600-$750.

[Skinny]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

That would work. The price seems a bit high though. I'm not sure on the conversion from US$ to CAN$ but it can't be too far off. Most complete 10-bolts around here are going for $300-$400.

[ssms5411]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

That would work. The price seems a bit high though. I'm not sure on the conversion from US$ to CAN$ but it can't be too far off. Most complete 10-bolts around here are going for $300-$400.

X2 , that is high. I would just go with a new 9"/12 bolt if I was paying that much for a used rearend. Here a used 10 bolt rear is about $250-$300 with posi 3.42's. But for me I'm never getting rid of mt car so thats why if it was that much I would invest in a new rear that would take whatever I throw at it and last the entire time I own the car.

[Rhunadan]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

Thanks for the replies. You've been very helpful. I live close to the border, so I'll be checking some wrecking yards in the buffalo/niagara area to try and get a better price.

Happy new year.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

93-96 axles are the same and 97-02 are the same, 93-96 were different due to having drums in the rear. Moser has 93-96 axles that are stronger than stock if needed. Then you have to make sure if you have traction control rear to get the right axles.

You are more right than you know. You are correct for the REAR END, but also correct for the AXLES. 93-96 axles ARE different from the 98+ axles. The 93-96 axles are 1/4" longer. I had this issue, and found that GM has separate P/Ns. Z28.com also had threads on this issue. Be careful with after market axles. One size does NOT fit all.

.

[Rhunadan]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

Well its in, along with a flowmaster exhaust. Started it up, sounds good. Went for a drive around the block and all was well. Much better take offs that before, which leads me to think that it doesn't have the 2.73 gears that the seller said it had. Went to drop my daughter off at her friend's house, about 2 miles into it, all heck broke loose. The rear wheels temporarily locked up and to me it sounded like a blown tire, which it was not. The rotors were cool to the touch, so its not the E brake binding. Drive shaft is still in one piece. As I got back in the car and started driving off, a new noise was coming from the back. Its a high pitched sound that speeds up and slows down with the throttle. It only makes the sound under throttle, when the car is moving. Sounds normal when the car is still. I put my hand on the diff cover and it was rather hot. I don't know how hot these normally get, but after only 2 miles of driving, to me it seemed too hot. Before I tear it all apart again, can someone suggest where I might Begin the troubleshooting?
Thanks.

[davidlb512]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

If you didn't do it before you installed it, drain the diff fluid, and refill with fresh gear oil. And don't forget to add the LSD additive too. Let's hope thats the issue you having. If so, that's an easy fix.

[Skinny]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

First thing to do is take the cover off and look... from the sounds of it, it won't be good. Causing the rear wheels to lock up sounds like catastrophic failure to me.

[Rhunadan]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

Nooooooooooooo!:cry: I assumed as much.
Can the LSD be rebuilt?

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

Nooooooooooooo!:cry: I assumed as much.
Can the LSD be rebuilt?

Im going to guess that it was probably a torsen diff in there, so no, it cannot be. However if you got lucky and have an auburn, I believe it can.

Im thinking there is an 85% chance you had a torsen...my car was down 3 weeks when I grenaded my torsen at the track.


if you have to buy another posi, I would spend it on the eaton...thats what I put in...but its pricey at around 400-500$...and I know you don't want to hear it, but you could of just bought the posi and a set of gears at this point and put it in your stock rear end...I don't trust used rear ends...you never know how bad they were beat on...

Let us know what you find when you pop the cover...something tells me as soon as you pull the drain plug you will see sparkly glitter pouring out in the oil...

[JMULL]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

what does the sparkley oil mean?? i just changed my diff oil a few weeks ago and i noticed it but didnt think much of it. it was rather low so it may have just been the metal grinding not getting enough oil?

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Swaping Rear End In A 96 Camaro.

what does the sparkley oil mean?? i just changed my diff oil a few weeks ago and i noticed it but didnt think much of it. it was rather low so it may have just been the metal grinding not getting enough oil?

it means you have metal flakes in it, which is not good...could be metal grinding/sheering, or it could be something broke and got all mashed up, like the worm gear teeth on the torsen unit...you might find a couple of large teeth just sitting in behind the cover if you pull it out...