4th gen rear end question - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

DrivenZ28 · 01-11-2008, 06:32 PM

I'm in the market for a new (USED) rear end for my 1996 Camaro z28. I currently have 2.73 gears ABS and ASR Traction Control (Kill Me!). I want 3.42's but will settle for 3.23's and lately I don't like the noises coming from my current 130,000 mile rear end.

Now I'm the type of guy that if a car came with the option, I don't want to lose that option, no matter how much I might hate it...quite a conundrum...lol But I am always willing to add factory options I might not have...anyway...

To my question...
It is difficult finding a LT1 rear end with traction control...would I be able to use a traction control rear end from an LS1 car?

and in a worst case scenario, what would I have to do to put a non traction control rear in a car built for traction control. I assume I would lose ABS and my ASR OFF light would always be on, but is there anything else to it?

JSPERFORMANCE · 01-12-2008, 12:56 PM

If you are not making tons of power why not just fix/upgrade your rear?

DrivenZ28 · 01-12-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSPERFORMANCE

If you are not making tons of power why not just fix/upgrade your rear?

Well here's the thing with my current rear. It rattles around alot, of course especially over bumps. I don't know how best to describe the sounds, maybe like a bowling ball bouncing around and some popping noises here and there, depending how bad the bump or pot hole.

The current rear has new axle bearings and everything inside looks to be in good shape.

My plan was to purchase a rear with better gearing than my 2.73 and while I was at it I would change out all the stock suspension, like the shocks (shocks were new about 20,000-30,000 Decarbons, the big ones), LCAs, panhard and torque arm. I figured then all that noise would have to be gone and I would have better gears and new suspension parts.

Do you guys do gear upgrades? I think I saw on your site that you do. Is there away I can find out from you how much it would cost to install some 3.73 in my current rear?

JSPERFORMANCE · 01-12-2008, 01:58 PM

Rear diff overhaul costs around $300 plus parts. That will include swapping out gears and posi unit if desired.

DrivenZ28 · 01-12-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSPERFORMANCE

Rear diff overhaul costs around $300 plus parts. That will include swapping out gears and posi unit if desired.

ok cool thanks for the info I'll keep it in mind!

98tadriver · 01-18-2008, 01:18 AM

switching over the ABS stuff wouldnt be bad at all really. you can re-use your stock backing plates with the sensors, and your axles that have the reluctor rings as well.

Pampered-Z · 01-18-2008, 07:43 AM

To asnwer your question, a rear from a 96-97 with TC and 3:42 will bolt in and work. Ealier years are different as far as how the TC/ABS sensor are located. But then you are buying a used unit that is now 10 years old. Which you would want to pull apart and probably rebuild anyway. So I would just rebuild the one iin the car. Remember you will need to get the computer reporogrammed for the gear change.

DrivenZ28 · 01-19-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

To my question...
It is difficult finding a LT1 rear end with traction control...would I be able to use a traction control rear end from an LS1 car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pampered-Z

To asnwer your question, a rear from a 96-97 with TC and 3:42 will bolt in and work. Ealier years are different as far as how the TC/ABS sensor are located. But then you are buying a used unit that is now 10 years old. Which you would want to pull apart and probably rebuild anyway. So I would just rebuild the one iin the car. Remember you will need to get the computer reporogrammed for the gear change.

I know a 96-97 rear and some 95 rears with traction control will bolt right into my car. And I have no desire to put an earlier year rear in my car, as I stated I want to keep the traction control.

My question was whether or not I can put in a rear from an LS1 F-body with Traction control. If I do that, then not only will I be able to get a better gear ration, but I will also have the bigger brakes. Doing this will be cheaper in the here and now than having my current rear rebuilt with nice new parts...I did the price checking. My desrie is not for a bullet proof rear here, I just want better gears and bigger brakes...my car is mostly stock right now. Down the road when money is more plentiful and more go fats parts are added, I will then get that nice LS1 rear rebuilt and maybe even jump up to 3.73...get what I mean?

Savage_Messiah · 01-19-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivenZ28

Well here's the thing with my current rear. It rattles around alot, of course especially over bumps. I don't know how best to describe the sounds, maybe like a bowling ball bouncing around and some popping noises here and there, depending how bad the bump or pot hole.

Are you sure your suspension isn't to blame??

DrivenZ28 · 01-20-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage_Messiah

Are you sure your suspension isn't to blame??

I pretty much agree with you at this point on the noise matter. To (Hopefully) fix this problem I purchased tubular LCAs and Panhrad bar from UMI. I will also be replacing the shocks as soon as I can decide which brand to use...don't know if I want to get the Bilstein HD or the KYB and save some money to put towards a new Torque Arm. Hope it works!

Savage_Messiah · 01-20-2008, 02:21 PM

yeah kinda sounds liek a bushing is binding. Can even loosen and retighten (while the suspension is loaded) all the connections to see fi that fixes it

98tadriver · 01-21-2008, 10:52 AM

yeah i was also going to add that it might be suspension making that noise. or maybe your exhaust is bumping the track bar/brace in the rear?

Pampered-Z · 01-21-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivenZ28

My question was whether or not I can put in a rear from an LS1 F-body with Traction control.

Never done one, but from what I understand, it is not a direct bolt-in.

If the LS1 car had TC it will bolt in, but you need to either switch to LS1 brakes or swap over your brakes and use LS1 E-brake cables. If the donor car didn't have TC then you need to switch over your backing plates, brakes and axles as well.

racerz · 01-21-2008, 08:23 PM

have a pair of used stock rear shocks from my 94 z that I'm sellin.

DrivenZ28 · 01-22-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerz

have a pair of used stock rear shocks from my 94 z that I'm sellin.

No thanks...kind of going the whole upgrade all suspension components route...but thanks...

3rdGenLT1 · 01-25-2008, 06:01 PM

i got a rear from a 94 z28 im selling

DrivenZ28 · 01-25-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdGenLT1

i got a rear from a 94 z28 im selling

Thanks, but I'm trying to keep the traction control.

Batman · 01-29-2008, 05:17 PM

I think most LS1 cars had 4 channel ABS instead of 3, not sure if they can be interchanged but I don't know for sure.

DrivenZ28 · 01-31-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman

I think most LS1 cars had 4 channel ABS instead of 3, not sure if they can be interchanged but I don't know for sure.

Yeah Traction control rears have 4 channel in both LS1 and LT1 rears. None traction control cars with ABS had 3 channel. I know it will fit I just am wondering if the traction control will work.

DrivenZ28 · 01-31-2008, 01:38 PM

Ok, all the noises are gone. The LCA's bushings were trashed, fell right out when I took off the arms. All the tubular parts are awesome car drives like a dream now!

Blacdout96 · 01-31-2008, 08:42 PM

Now you said you have ASR right? thats not a traction conrtol device from teh rear, thats controlled in the transmission, starting oyu off in second gear, so if you only have ABS, you should have jsut a 3 channel rear.

DrivenZ28 · 02-01-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

Now you said you have ASR right? thats not a traction conrtol device from teh rear, thats controlled in the transmission, starting oyu off in second gear, so if you only have ABS, you should have jsut a 3 channel rear.

Um, no...

I have a four channel rear. It has the sensor and reluctor ring at each wheel hub. My car does not "start off in second gear" if it senses wheel slip and then engages the ASR or traction control device to let off the throttle and apply brakes if needed.

ASR stands for Acceleration Slip Regulation and is considered another term for traction control in the 93-97 4th gen F-Body...not second gear start, that's something different.

Blacdout96 · 02-01-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivenZ28

I'm in the market for a new (USED) rear end for my 1996 Camaro z28. I currently have 2.73 gears ABS and ASR Traction Control (Kill Me!).

you said ASR traction control, thats ASR, its a button near your radio. ASR is Acceleration Slippage Reduction, which is when you push your button in, your car then starts in 2nd gear, its not on all the time. Regular T/C is in the rear as a 4 channel, so when you said ASR, you mean the button version starting in second gear, other wise its jsut regular T/C, im just pointing that out, dont get all high and mighty on me pal.

sweetbmxrider · 02-01-2008, 04:27 PM

Injuneer · 02-01-2008, 05:06 PM

For 4th Gens:

RPO NW9 is called "Traction Control" on the Firebirds, and "Acceleration Slip Regulation" on the Camaros. If the car was equipped with this option, it will start with the system "on" and requires that you push a button on the console to turn it off.

The system that allow a 2nd gear start for reduced rear wheel torque was only used on the V6 cars, not on the V8 models, and has a button on the dash.