87 cutlass rear end swap
April 8th, 2009, 01:04 PM
#1
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87 cutlass rear end swap
HI i have a stock 87 cutlass supreme brougham with the 307 y, 200r4 od, and 7.5 2.56 LSD. id like to swap out the old rear end for something better that will bolt right in.mabe with 373s or somthin around thier let me know what you think would be the best setup and why. any cheap upgrade tips for more power?
April 8th, 2009, 06:47 PM
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2009
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from the info i've read you're going about this the right way. i have the same 307 and tranny option and from what i've read these motors are pretty well equiped with tons of torque, however the super low rear end really hids any performance. of course there is a lot that can be done to the 307 but it sure isn't as cost efficient as a 305 or 350, it can get expensive!
April 8th, 2009, 06:53 PM
#3
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,595
You can get the gears and carrier from an S10 or a third gen F-body. Of course the 84 H/O and 85-87 442s came with 3.73 8.5" axles, but good luck finding one at a decent price. The other options (A-body axles, for example), don't fit without special aftermarket control arms and wheels with custom offset. Also not inexpensive.
April 9th, 2009, 12:53 PM
#4
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87 cutlass rear end swap
how much can i expect to pay for a 8.5 373 442 rear? will it bolt right up with all the stock mounts and driveshaft? i also found a 87 monte ss i believe its a 7.625 open dif 373 how much should i offer on that and will it bolt right in?
April 9th, 2009, 01:09 PM
#5
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i've done some looking around for whole axle assemblies for the cutlass/malibu/monte bondo and the going rate is between $1000 - $1200. can't say that i've seen any of our vintage cars in my local boneyard lately either. funny enough i priced out changing the diff guts (at the local tranny shop) with something more exciting and that was just short of $1000 tax in. don't really know interchangeabillity between the cars but if you find one you think you want just get out the tape measure and make a quick scetch.
April 9th, 2009, 01:54 PM
#6
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,595
All 1978-1988 A/G body rear axles bolt in. I wouldn't spend a dime on an open 7.5 or 7.625. The 8.5s are few and far between and priced accordingly. You can find limited slip carriers and gear sets for the 7.5 in third-gen F-body cars and S-10 pickups. These will swap into your axle housing.
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