series change

[bah]

i have searched with no conclusive answer, i have a series 2 carrier with the 3.08 in my 1998 firebird, and i want to put in a zexel, found one with 3:42s with it, what is needed to make the series 3 work in the series 2 carrier?

[coolbet13]

Re: series change

what exactly do you want to know if you mean put 3 series gears on a 2 series diff Richmond gear makes what they call thick gears they are made extra thick just for that you can use a 2 series diff with a 3 series gear ratio, but if you mean change from a 2 series diff to a 3 series diff, you need nothing for that they will interchange. It's the side to side thats different, thats why you need a thicker gear if you ment the other way. wow that sounds confusing

[bah]

Re: series change

ok, let me try to clear some things up, i want to buy a Zexel differential, the one i am looking at comes with 3:42 gears, which is series 3, correct, and i currently have an open differential with 3:08 gears which would be a series 2, is there any way to make the series 3 gears work in my series 2 carrier?

[bah]

Re: series change

so what i gather is there i really cant use those gears safely in my series 2 carrier, and i would have to get the richmond thick gears to really make it work, i hear conflicting views on using a spacer, so i would probably stick with my 3.08s until i feel like shelling out $200 for gears

[bah]

Re: series change

what exactly do you want to know if you mean put 3 series gears on a 2 series diff Richmond gear makes what they call thick gears they are made extra thick just for that you can use a 2 series diff with a 3 series gear ratio, but if you mean change from a 2 series diff to a 3 series diff, you need nothing for that they will interchange. It's the side to side thats different, thats why you need a thicker gear if you ment the other way. wow that sounds confusing

ok, after reading this again, if i buy the whole diff with gears, it will bolt in no problem? its if i use my stock diffy with series 3 gears, correct?

[RadRacer]

Re: series change

ok, after reading this again, if i buy the whole diff with gears, it will bolt in no problem? its if i use my stock diffy with series 3 gears, correct?

Just wait and get a series 3 LSD along with the gears, then you'll have no problem. Like yous aid, with a spacer you could make it work, or if you bought the extra thick gears, but not regular series 3 gears.

[bah]

Re: series change

that is what i am looking at, whole diffy with gears, i thought it was the carrier that was different, not the differential

[RadRacer]

Re: series change

that is what i am looking at, whole diffy with gears, i thought it was the carrier that was different, not the differential

I'm pretty sure it's just the diff that's different. I may be wrong, but I've bene told that as long as I buy a series 3 LSD to go with my 3.73's (if I ever find some) I won't have any problems.

[coolbet13]

Re: series change

ok your on the right track if your gonna get a zexel torsen buy a stock diff (cheap at the junk yards) out of a 99 up v8 car or a v6 with the y87 package and just get a set of 3.73's for it and install it in your axel. thats what I did, i have a 2002 v6 camaro and I bought a factory lsd which is a zexel torsen in 99+ v8/y87 cars and a set of motive 3.73's and *wola* :tup: best mod for the money so far! just be sure you get someone reputable to set up your rearend or it will whine like a mo fo and not last.

[bah]

Re: series change

i really want to install myself, it doesnt appear to be that hard, the pinion shaft is the only thing i am questioning, i feel comfortable doing everything, just take the unit in somewhere to get new bearings pressed on and stuff, i would imagine the $100 install kit is probably worth it to make it last, but i think i feel comfortable adjusting backlash and all, its just the pinion shaft that is a little blurry to me.

[FunkZ]

Re: series change

It's a little blurry to most mechanics too. They're tricky to get set up exactly right so they don't whine.

You are correct, if you purchase a 3-series Zexel and it comes with a 3.42 gear set, you will simply be swapping your open carrier / 3.08 ratio with the new parts. Also make sure that the Zexel comes with the ABS reluctor ring/gear on the carrier, your existing 2-series ring won't fit and without it your ABS won't work.

[coolbet13]

Re: series change

Not to question your mechanical abilites, but there is an art to it. you will be better off getting someone that has done it many times to set it up. plus you must have a tool to measure the pinon depth so you can shim it right, the backlash is the easy part. It's one of those mods that you just wanna do once so might as well do it right the first time. Be sure to get a bottle of the GM additive for your diff.

[bah]

Re: series change

ok, i bought the diffy with the gears, aluminum driveshaft, and the mega install kit from jegs with all the bearings including axle, what else is needed, i have access to a few experienced people, and probably all the needed tools, can a dealership press on all the new bearings?

[coolbet13]

Re: series change

Im not sure if your local dealership could do that but they should, if not a machine shop should do it for you, One more thing is go ahead and get a front pinion seal from the dealership cause even know the one install kit is made for a 10 bolt the pinion seal will not be right, it will be too small. Guess how I know that one. If you wanna go the extra step and save yourself from tearing it all apart again go ahead and get axle seals and replace them also.