rear swap

[chaotictnt]

Can I drop a 70's-90's rear out of a camaro into my 71 nova

[AlmostStock]

I don't know if it would fit but the Camaro rear is wider so your wheels will stick out of the fenders too far. I wouldn't do it.

[NOVA71]

Yes, but it takes a little bit of work. 70-81 Z-28 and Trans am rears are about 1" wider than the Nova's rear. 82-up are no good!!! I put an 80 Z-28 posi rear with 3:42's in mine. The rear tires get moved out about 1/2" on each side, but you'd never know it from looking (see the pic of my car below). I run 225 60 R 15's with no problem. I have run 245 60 R 15's with no rubbing but they are just a little too close to the wheel lips for comfort. This is what I did for my swap: cut the spring perches off the new rear, center the new rear in the Nova and make sure the pinion angle is at the same angle as the original Nova rear, mark the location of where the new perches have to be welded, make sure to double and triple check your measurements, get a set of Nova perches and weld them on (I recommend getting a professional welder to do this because those axle tubes are pretty thick - I got my brother in law to do this for me because he was a welder at the local shipyards), done deal! Bolt her in and hook up your brake lines etc. Now there is only one other problem I had and that was that the universal in my driveshaft was too small for the bigger rear. You will either have to get the proper driveshaft (one out of a Nova that has an 8.5" rear) that takes the bigger universal joint to fit the bigger rear or you can get a universal joint that has one side with small ends (to fit your driveshaft) and the other side with big ends (to fit the bigger rear). I got one from the local truck parts store. I've been using mine for about 3 years with no problems. Although I recently got the proper driveshaft or at least I hope it's the proper one, I didn't put it in yet to find out. Hope this helps.

[AlmostStock]

Nice write up Nova71. I didn't realize the 70-81 Camaro rears were only 1 inch wider, that's not too bad. Like you stated it's hard to see the difference looking at your photo. What size rear tire is your car running in the photo? When you cut off the old perches and welded on the new ones did you take the axles and seals out first? Thanks.

[NOVA71]

The tires in the pic are 225 60 15's and they fit just nice. The max I would go would be a 235. As for the perches, I didn't remove the axles or seals, I left everyting intact. I just removed the rear cover and drained all the diff fluid, sprayed everything clean with brake cleaner and let it dry out. Then as my brother in law was welding the perches on, I sprayed compressed air down the axle tube to keep everything cool and to expell any fumes from building up in the axle tubes. Just to let you know, I don't know if a regular mig welder would get good enough penetration on those thick axle tubes. That's why I didn't weld them on myself. He has a $3000 welder that will weld pretty much anything. Penetrated that thick steel like nothing. That's why I recommend a pro to weld those suckers on. Wouldn't want to be cruisin along and see your rear end in the rear view mirror as your Nova drags it back end along the pavement like a dog tryin to wipe the sh?t off it's ass! LOL

If ya need any more info let me know.

[chaotictnt]

Hey thanks alot guys for helping me out, I recently found an 80' camaro Iroc that has been in an accident. The dude that owns the car said he would sell me the rear for $400. he also told me that the rear has 3:73's. is this true, and is this a good deal.