Installing a LSD...I need advice

[Morpheus78]

I am looking to buy a 2000 - 2002 Camaro V6. Most of them that i run into do not have the LSD option. How involved would it be to add the LSD later on after i buy the car? I had a nissan 240sx and all i had to do with that car was drop the open diff. pumpkin and install the LSD pumpkin and all was well. Is it the same deal with this car, or do you actually have to open the back of the diff. and install gears. I dont know if the diff. and axels are set as one unit or not. Is there a website with the swap information? Im new to the camaro and any information would help me out. Thank you.

[HokieBird]

Some people buy gears and a LSD and open the pumpkin and other people buy a used rear end with better gears and LSD in it. You could go either way depending on what kind of combo you want and how much you want to spend.

[Tyler]

i think what he implying was that; he is going to install his lsd and wants to know what work is involved to do it.

Correct me if i'm wrong

[Morpheus78]

That is correct. I will be installing this myself. I would like the Zexen LSD. Can the pumpkin on this car be detached from the axels and drive shaft so that you can replace it with a differential that has a LSD? Also, how difficult is it to change the gears if i decide to do that? Where can i get a used pumpkin?

[carmelcarswholesale]

Check out eBay and use "torsen" as a search word...they run from $100 to $250...it's a buyer-beware situation though...if you can afford it the best Torsen is the T2R developed for road racing that has a much quicker and stronger lockup...but...it's $550 new and there are no used units around as most people just put them in once and forget them (they last forever)..always go with new parts if you can afford it...new ring and pinions cost around $135 (and a 3.73 is a great performance street ratio IMHO), installation kits around $100 with all the bearings and shims...yes, it's easy to install but you will need a dial indicator to make sure you have the pinion depth correct and the gear backlash properly set..if you are not changing your ring and pinion it's real quick...open the back diff cover, pop the rear axles out (c clips are all that hold them in) by removing the carrier cross pin and c clips..unbolt the open diff...transfer the ring gear to the new carrier, reverse process....and get a factory workshop manual for torque specs, step-by-step process, etc...it makes it real easy (and if it isn't mentioned in the book make sure to mark the bearing caps so you reinstall them in the original position)...find a buddy or a shop with an impact gun for the ring and pinion install..it's easy...have fun and enjoy the torsen and deep gears...rp

[shenanigans]

If you do a search on it there is a write up online on just installing a diff.

are you gettng a 5-speed or auto?

figure out what gears it has...

if it has 3.08s, you may just want to consider a rearaxle swap instead. Where you just take the entire rearend off a z28 car and put it in yours, direct bolt on and you can get better gears, and the lsd. Probably for $150-250.

[Morpheus78]

Im looking into getting an automatic. Im trying to find one with a GU6. I want 3.42 gears. Is this common on a 2002 V6?

[shenanigans]

Originally posted by Morpheus78:
Im looking into getting an automatic. Im trying to find one with a GU6. I want 3.42 gears. Is this common on a 2002 V6?

Its "semi-common"

but look for GU6 for sure. BTW the code for LSD is G80. There were several with GU6 and G80, woudln't say its common but they are out there.

if you get one with 3.08s, you could probalby get a used rear axle with the brakes for like $150-250, probably closer to 250 since 3.42s are a little more desirable.

[Morpheus78]

What would the cost be to have a 3.08 changed to 3.42 gears and have a Zexel LSD installed by a shop...roughly.

[slow6]

i have an open differential and 3.42 gears up for sale soon.
only 25k miles