TomSlick

I have a RED 82 Z28. I done some swapping for this car about 1 year ago from my dad. Shortly after getting the car the motor was rebuilt. It's a 350 bored .060 American block. Was told it wouldnt have a over heating problem going .060 over because the older American blocks had more meat. About 1000 miles after the over haul it was swapped back to me dad for a 72 vaga 1/8 mile dragster. After spend $400.00 ever weekend to race it. I found it WAY to rich for my blood. The Z28 had been setting around and he had put about 300miles on it in the last year. After some talking we swapped back. So I now have the 82 Z28 back.

This is what I'm looking at doing. I wont to stroke the 350 to a 383. When the motor was rebuilt I think a ring got cracked. I have over 2000 miles on it and it is get some oil blow bye. If I'm going to replace the rings. I'm just going to do it right this time. I wont to make atless 400 ponys.

I would like to start from the rear and work my way forward. If I'm looking at 400hp the th200c tranny and the 10 bolt rearend with 308 gears it's going to hold the horsepower.

I'm asking for you guys to help me out here. I need to know the best rearend to get. I would like to replace the 10bolt brums with a strong limited slip or clutch pack rearend with disk. That would be a easy change out.
Maybe find a 92 Z or a 92 T/A rearend with disk and buy a new spool if thats what is needed.
Tranny ? What would be the BEST tranny for this rearend ? I really like the 3 speeds. I hear the TH350 is better then the TH400 when it comes to horsepower. That there is more horepower loss in the TH400.

I really dont know much about any of this stuff. But I wont to try and do as much of it as I can to learn. Any info you guys can give me on a good rearend with disk and a good tranny that would be a pretty easy swap out on a 82 Z would help.

Thx again. Tommy

EvilCartman

iTrader: (1)

Heh, I'd almost replace the transmission before doing anything. I split the stock converter open with my 305 2 years ago this month. The 200c was starting to slip a bit too and it had been rebuilt before I got the car. Go with a TH350 with a stall converter to match your engine. There's plenty of info on here about how to do the swap. As for the rear end, you could build up the 10 bolt or step up to a 12 bolt or 9 inch. So far my 10 bolt has lasted but only had some sticky tires on it once.

TomSlick

Evil, The car is parked and not being driven. It's jacked up and on stands waiting for a new drivetrain.


Did any Third Generation Z come with a 12 or 9 bolt disk ? And what would hold the power better 12 or 9 ?

Thx for the reply. I have alot to learn.

NJITIROC

iTrader: (2)

9 BOLT yes, 9 INCH no.

cc 82Z-28

iTrader: (7)

I run an 82 Z-28 that I've owned since 84. It currently has a 355 that is built pretty good with about 375-400 horse in it. As the others have said the trans will go first, mine did that's for sure. I had the same trans as yours. I run a turbo 350 since it is also has a smaller case than the 400 turbo, it also will allow you to use your existing drive shaft with out any modifications other than getting one of those adapter kits from B+M or Hurst to adapt the your torque arm to. If you use the 350 turbo make sure it has the short tail shaft, I believe its 6 inches, and it will work just fine. I run a 2200rpm stall convertor that goes out to my rebuilt original 10 bolt rearend with the drum brakes. I went with the Torsen third member for the posi with new Moser axles and new hardware throughout to make a rearend that will hadle anything I could throw at it with this motor. I just finished lowering the car about 2 inches in front and 1-1/2 in the back with new adjustable panhard bar, torque arm, and lower control arms. Hope this helps.

TomSlick

cc

About what did the rearend hardware cost ya ?
I would really like to have a clutch pack or a limited slip posi. I was reading some where here in the fourms the 10 bolt isnt that good. Really looking for a good rearend with disk. I'm looking more for handling then speed.
Any good tips on the rearend suspension upgrades ? In 6 weeks I'll have 3k to drop on the rearend.

Thx again

cc 82Z-28

iTrader: (7)

I went out and got my receipt for all the parts and it cost me 688.40 shipped to my door back on 10/25/01. That included everything and the only thing that was reused was the housing itself. I paid a professional to put it all together and set it up. Best part of it was, is that I didn't have to remove the rearend, he was able to do it with the rearend still in the car since he had the lift to get the car in the air. I got all the parts from Reider Racing in Michigan, their website is www.ReiderRacing.com contact them and tell them what you want to do. My total cost was about 900.00 complete, parts and labor. If you want I can send you a copy of my receipt so you can see the part numbers and prices. I've had no problems with the rearend and I've hammered on it when ever I like. If you put good parts in and have it done right the stock 10 bolt will hold just fine, you won't anything exotic unless you are planning to start pushing the horse power envelope to 500 and above. The only thing I still want to put on the rearend is one of those covers that help hold the caps in place. Hope this helps you in your decision.

TomSlick

Thx for the info. Done a little research and really thinking of hitting the junkyards to find a 87 thru 92 Z28 rearend. I saved the link.

crazynights

iTrader: (3)

cc,
did you swap out the 26 spline for the 28 soline when you upgraded the axles? Also, total cost around 900, what exactly was the list breakdown? Sorry for the questions, I'm doing this upgrade now and I keep coming into $900 just for Moser axles and Eaton posi..

cc 82Z-28

iTrader: (7)

Ok, here's the breakdown of my invoice, 1 ring and pinion gear set, 3:73 ratio price 179.95 next, 2 28spline Moser axles price 240.00 per pair, next, 1 master overhaul kit price 99.00, next,1 Torsen 28 spline posi unit price 165.95, next 2 rear wheel bearings small price 19.00, next 2 rear wheel seals price 4.00. Add the handling charge to it and the total was 688.40 delivered to my door. Then I took my car to shop where it was all installed for about 200-250 dollars. The Torsen posi unit is completely different from the others that use clutch packs and such. This unit uses worm gears to eliminate the clutches and thus, you never have to rebuild this unit. It was recommended to me by professional racer who trans-am races an 82 Z-28. He said he tried all of the other posi units but was still breaking the units. He found out about the Torsen units and bought one and hasn't changed it since. He said he pushes about 400-450 horse out of his motor. Hope this helps..

TomSlick

CC, I went and read about the Torsen . I'm i9n love with your setup. I'm getting it. Could you plz tell me the part #'s if you wouldn't mind.
http://www.reiderracing.com/zexeltorsen.htm

You know alot more about this then me. I would like to be able to run your drivetrain with the 350 Turbo and your rearend. But not sure of your gears. I'm going to be running about the same horsepower. 400 to 450hp. I would like to run about 130mph at 7000rpm.

I really thank you for all your help. If your ever in Houston. I owe you a steak dinner. :lala:

cc 82Z-28

iTrader: (7)

Here's the part numbers right off the invoice I have from Reider Racing Inc. Gears and Rears. Their phone number is 734-946-1330. Their address is 12351 Universal Drive, Taylor, MI. 48180.
Their web address is www.ReiderRacing.com
Now then, for the part numbers 1. 3.73 ring and pinion 7.5" thin, Item# GM7/373A- 2. the axles 82-92 W/Drum Brk 28spl. item #GM7/Axles28CS, note these are Moser Axles, 3. Master O/H Kit GM 7.5" item #GM7/MOKITL 4. GM 7.5" 28spl. Torsen Unit item # GM7/ZT28H 5. Rear Wheel Bearing Small item # R1563 6. Rear Wheel Seal (Small) item # 8660S. That's it, but be sure and call and talk to their sales rep so you get the parts you need for your job. You may want to go to 3.42 gears instead of the 3.73. I had 3.42's originally but wanted the 3.73's for better acceleration. The guy that put mine together for me builds hot rods for a living and he said 3.73 are a great gear for street/strip, especially if you're not using the for every day driving, which I am not. Their sales rep was real helpful when I called to get info and prices and knew what to ask as far as what exactly is in your car presently. Good luck, hope this helps you.

TomSlick

cc, Thanks so much. I'll say in touch and let you know how it all goes. Shoot me and e-mail sometime. hitech@needsomeskill.com

cc 82Z-28

iTrader: (7)

Hey, no problem with the help there. I got your e-mail address saved and I will keep in touch to see how it is going. I think my next investment is going to be a 2004r trans so I can get the overdrive back in it for those serious highway blasts. The 3.73 gears really let my car accelerate fast and hard. I just got back from a ride and I took my next door neighbor with me and he was shocked on how fast the car accelerates. I can bounce near 130 but the rpms are around 6000 or so. Anyway, good luck and keep in touch, my e-mail is roswell@midviewinternet.com