gear questions

[666_speed]

my rear end gears are about to take a dump any day now, they whine and thump like crazy. i have a couple questions now. a car that came with 3.08's stock is a series 2 carrier correct? is swapping the gears something that should be attempted by someone with little automotive knowledge? would i be better off to try to find a rear end out of another car? and lastly...what's the average cost to have new gears installed? thanks for any help.

[bag91]

If I were you id get 3.73's, and to install around $3-400. But it depends where you go.........
You can use the same carrier which will save you a buttload
I wouldnt do it yourself........too risky, but thats just me.......

[666_speed]

i have planned on 3.73's, that's why i was needing to know what series carrier i have, but on another forum i found the answer after i posted that here. did you go to a gm dealership or just to a mechanic to have them installed? thanks.

[busa4]

a 3.08 gear set is for a class 2 carrier. a class 2 carreir gear set is for gear ratios from 3.08, 2.73, and 2.41. if you go with a 3.73 you will need a class 3carrier witch will get expensive. a new gear set runs ~200.00 and a used class 3 posi (your going to want posi) carrier runs ~200.00 on ebay.
if your going to do this yourself you are going to need a dial indicator with magnetic/clamp base and various carrier and pinion shims. backlash will need to be set at .008-.012" with proper contact pattern.

[666_speed]

can't you buy 3.73's made for a series 2 carrier? thanks a lot for the info.

[busa4]

then it wouldnt be a series 2....... i just went through this with my 98 s10. i had a 3.08 gear and i put a 2.41 gear set in it with no problems. the ring gear wont fit onto a different class carrier. in order to get the high ratios 3.23 ,3.73, 4.10 , etc etc the ring gear has to get bigger so the carrier has to get bigger.

[92zcamaroperson]

yes you can. What you need to do is find some old fogey who has been doing it for 30 years. The rear end is a touchy thing. Find a speed shop somewhere around you to do the install. Even if you have to travel some to get to a good REPUTABLE shop id do it since you need to have at least 500 miles on the gears before getting on them.

[92zcamaroperson]

you just have to get 3.73 gears for a series 2 10 bolt. my brother in law is going through it all right now with his 98 z. Stock gear is 2.73 and he is going to 3.73. Big jump. That car is going to haul butt.

[666_speed]

that's what i was thinking, i see the 3.73's for sale and they say they are specifically for series 2 or series 3 carriers. just making sure which carrier i needed.

[busa4]

my mistake. where did you see this? i was searching and searching and never found that info before.

[666_speed]

http://www.richmondgear.com/01pdfs/page8.pdf
down where it says gm 7.5 and 7.625 look at the 3.73's, has them for series 2 and 3 carriers. if i'm wrong, please correct me because i'll be the first to admit i don't know. thanks.

[busa4]

yep. your right.. you need the 3.73 with a class 2 carrier. i was at richmonds site when i did my gearing. never saw that. damn! oh well, you learn something every day. my only correct advise to you is get someone who knows what they are doing. i did my gear and i have to admit it sucked. money well spent for someone else to do it.

[666_speed]

cool, thanks again.

[Savage Messiah]

2 series indeed... and go big or go hme, 4.10s FTW :-D

[666_speed]

haha, i wish 4.10's but i do waaaaaaaay too much highway driving for those