Rear end change

Well i was wondering what would be a good rear end to put in my nova(73 nova 350 four door 2bbl) i want a good around town one that doesn't eat up my tires like a True Locker...would a Detroit EZ Locker do good?...i think they work like when you normally drive around you use one wheel but if you gun it or spin tires both kick in....i think...thats what my friend said....any suggestions?

The only rear housing I know that will accept a Detroit Locker is a Ford 9" rear. Why not just go for a GM posi? I've had them before and they always worked well for me.

Bob

i've heard the posi it ok but some say it won't drive the same....

i've heard the posi it ok but some say it won't drive the same....

They're right... it'll drive a whole lot better! :thumbsup:

Scott

ok then if i do go with the posi where can i find it?snag an old one or a get a new one?and is it the guts of it i have to change or am i going to need a complete rear end?

A 350/2GC Nova should be able to survive on a 7.5/7.62 10-bolt with no problems. Salvage yards are full of them, with clutches. You can probably find a wide range of ratios under S-Trucks, all set up and ready for leaf springs.

You're better off with a whole rear as Blue Bowtie suggests. Some older salvage yards might have them, rear end specialty shops can fix you up too. I used to carry around a piece of paper in my wallet that had all the GM rear and tranny codes on it. I could ID anything in seconds.

Also check your local speed shops for guys upgrading to other rears, sometimes they sell off their old ones. Try eBay too, you might find something local.

Bob

yeah i talked to a transmission guy and he said a posi would eat up my tires since i would driving and turning a lot and...he said limited slip would be weird on american......but i forgot to ask about the ez Locker....crap...

what about a rear end out of a camaro?...would that be the same as what i have now(open diff)?....

yeah i talked to a transmission guy and he said a posi would eat up my tires since i would driving and turning a lot and...he said limited slip would be weird on american......but i forgot to ask about the ez Locker....crap...

Posi and Limited Slip are one and the same. They are not hard on tires - both wheels can still spin independently of eachother unlike a locker - but they do offer increased traction, which is important if you live in an area where it gets cold/snows. I don't know what your tranny guy means about "weird on an american", as these are on lots of American cars, including my own. If being able to keep in control on an ice-slicked road while actually moving forward and not sideways is "weird" behavior, then my car certainly is "weird" and I enjoy it from both a safety and performance standpoint.

I've ran many a posi and Detroit Locker on the street and would never know it was either unless it had to work, such as in rain, snow. I find it to be a comforting feeling when it goes to work for me.

Bob

The only way a posi will eat up your tires is if you spin them all the time. Otherwise a posi will be fine on the street. The factory 8.5 inch units are great pieces and will handle a large amount of power if treated right. I got mine out of an 80 Camaro. It has a 3:42 gear ratio which is pretty nice on the street.