8.5 rear end

Looking for a complete 8.5 rear end to put in my 94 caprice 5.7. Anyone have one or know a good place to get one? Local used parts/junk yards around me want 400-700 bucks for them and can't tell me what kind of gears they have.

If the axle is original in the vehicle you can open the trunk to look for the SPID label.

G80 is limited slip.

GU4 is a 3.08 ratio. That would be in an SEO vehicle or impala SS.

GM8 is a 2.56 ratio. That was standard,

GW9 is 2.93 ratio. Those were options in tow packages.

Vehicle originally was the 4.3L V8 and has the 7.5 rear end with 2.73s. Looking to swap a 8.5 in it!

Your closest choice of LT1 axles would be the 2.93, but those are fairly rare. 3.08s are the next toughest to find but would be an improvement for the L99. A 2.56 could be quite a load for the smaller displacement. In any case the PCM would require a reflash to get the speedo and shift points correct.

Just to add to the above - the '94-'96 9C1 Caprice will generally have the 3.08 ratio axle, but this will also have disc brakes vs. the car you have (drum brakes).