What did you do with your Trans Am today?

[theorangeguy]

I also have a leak and rotational noise that can't seem to pinpoint. I had the car in the air a few times had paJeff in the car but still can't find it. I think I'm going to try for a new rear this spring, it's a huge expense for me but I feel any money spent repairing the 10 bolt is wasted money also I can't seem to find anyone in my area that works on rears but one guy who never returns calls!!! So I took the wife for a ride in the fall and let her hear the noise and told her that this is Bad very Bad and it should be replaced....I'm sure it worked as she said I should be ordering my parts soon Now I'm thinking I would like to finish my concrete driveway instead.....decisions decisions

was it just whining or is it clunking?

I just looked up the price of a 10 bolt refresh and I found estimates all over the place.

[Nutball]

I'm not ready to drop a 12 bolt or a 9inch in my car yet. Anybody know the price of a refresh on a 10 bolt? Rough estimate?

I purchased a Motive Performance and the install kit for roughly 260.00. did the wok myself, took about 4 hours.
If you are changing the diff as well...add another 400.00 +/- depending on the manufacturer.

[raynor139]

Yeah was just looking at an Strange S60 rear and by time you buy parts and labor on a 10 bolt refresh your probably close to paying half of what a new S60 rear costs. So far the S60 is the cheapest I've seen rear end wise. Guess I'll be spending the rest of my day off doing research and figuring out what I want.

[theorangeguy]

I purchased a Motive Performance and the install kit for roughly 260.00. did the wok myself, took about 4 hours.
If you are changing the diff as well...add another 400.00 +/- depending on the manufacturer.

You wouldnt happen to have a part number or a link for that package would you?

[Nutball]

You wouldnt happen to have a part number or a link for that package would you?

Not sure If I could link their site but I'll give you the part #'S
WS6store
G875373 - R&P
R7-5GRLMK - Install pack
That's for the 3.73

[theorangeguy]

Not sure If I could link their site but I'll give you the part #'S
WS6store
G875373 - R&P
R7-5GRLMK - Install pack
That's for the 3.73

Thanks for the info. Thinking I might as well bump up to 4.10's while I'm doing this...

Update...

Going with 3.90's instead of 4.10's after doing some research. 4.10's would just blow the tires off based on what I'm reading.

Just got my quote for brakes and powder coated calipers as well. Atlanta Motorsports Park countdown has begun...

[raynor139]

Well bearings are missing and they didn't fall out so they are probably inside the pumpkin. I wouldnt feel too good about it unless i did a complete rebuild or replaced it all together. My 10 bolt has 113k on it. Talked to a few people and looks like a 9" will cost 3200-3500, fabbed 9 around 4500 to 5k and a S60 will be around 2900 with a chromoly drive shaft included.

[kingls1]

Thinking it may be time for a 12 bolt or 9 inch. Starting to check pricing with brute speed and mid west chassis. If anyone else knows of a good place to go through let me know.

The guy I was referred to was Carl at Strange Engineering PRSF05 Bolt-IN S60 for 82-02 F-Body 35-spline POSI
He was very cool to talk to and helpfull. I'm going to go with the s60. I spent a whole day reading and researching rear ends and feel the s60 is the best bang for your buck. It is 20 pounds heavier than a 12 bolt and maybe 5-6 lbs over a 9 inch. You will have to replace the drive shaft for a shorter one but even with that ( aprox $250 ) & shipping come in under a 12 bolt. They are a stout peice and Strange uses factory LAC mounts and a bolt through Torq arm like factory. Strange will install your brake backing plates and ABS reluctor rings for free if you send them to them. Other's charge for every little thing and drives the price right up. I can go on and on and this is JMO but call Carl and talk to him he sold me I just need to pull the trigger

was it just whining or is it clunking?

I just looked up the price of a 10 bolt refresh and I found estimates all over the place.

Pat I'm getting a grinding rotational noise when driving. Nothing when it's on jack stands and turned by hand. The faster you go the faster it goes. We can't pin point where exactly where it's coming from.My thoughts are I would rather put $500 or more(rebuild parts + labor ) I would think it would be north of $800 untill it's said and done into a new rear. I have seen 10 bolt rebuilds hit $15-1600 with new axles and center section and still be the weakest link. I have seen your looking into power adders down the road as am I , start thinking about doing the suspension and rear first. It makes a better car to drive even with stock power or with bolt on's.

[pajeff02]

My seal is leaking...hoping its not a bearing issue.

Leaking pinion seal is a GM factory installed option. They pretty much all do it.

[TransAmTerry]

Thanks for the info. Thinking I might as well bump up to 4.10's while I'm doing this...

Update...

Going with 3.90's instead of 4.10's after doing some research. 4.10's would just blow the tires off based on what I'm reading.

Just got my quote for brakes and powder coated calipers as well. Atlanta Motorsports Park countdown has begun...

Just wondering what brake package you're going with? Are you upgrading your calipers too?

[theorangeguy]

Just wondering what brake package you're going with? Are you upgrading your calipers too?

I'm not upgrading my calipers but I am getting them powder coated. I am going with brake motive rotors "they are made by power stop" and I've heard really good things about them. I was going to go with Brembo blanks for the rotors but I cant find any so I scratched that idea...I'm going to pick up a set of Hawk HP+ pads for the trip to the motor park but I'm going to run ceramics on the street.

Ordered my braided stainless lines as well. Went with Russell brand through the ws6 store.

[raynor139]

The guy I was referred to was Carl at Strange Engineering PRSF05 Bolt-IN S60 for 82-02 F-Body 35-spline POSI
He was very cool to talk to and helpfull. I'm going to go with the s60. I spent a whole day reading and researching rear ends and feel the s60 is the best bang for your buck. It is 20 pounds heavier than a 12 bolt and maybe 5-6 lbs over a 9 inch. You will have to replace the drive shaft for a shorter one but even with that ( aprox $250 ) & shipping come in under a 12 bolt. They are a stout peice and Strange uses factory LAC mounts and a bolt through Torq arm like factory. Strange will install your brake backing plates and ABS reluctor rings for free if you send them to them. Other's charge for every little thing and drives the price right up. I can go on and on and this is JMO but call Carl and talk to him he sold me I just need to pull the trigger

Talked to Carl yesterday afternoon and today. For a S60 with 3 channel ABS, powder coated, and a chromoly driveshaft and shipping it came out to 3000 even. It can handle 700 hp and that's more then I probably will ever need. Its only a couple pounds heavier then a 9 inch. Talked to midwest chasis too and for my goals a 9 inch while perfectly fine may be more then I need. Plus I save quite a bit with s60 and get a new driveshaft for several hundred less altogether then a 9 inch. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Hopefully should have it in 3-4 weeks.

[raynor139]

Checked out hawks 8.8 rear too but you could buy a 9 inch for what they want. Thought the whole point of a 8.8 was that it was a budget rear end.

[kingls1]

I

Talked to Carl yesterday afternoon and today. For a S60 with 3 channel ABS, powder coated, and a chromoly driveshaft and shipping it came out to 3000 even. It can handle 700 hp and that's more then I probably will ever need. Its only a couple pounds heavier then a 9 inch. Talked to midwest chasis too and for my goals a 9 inch while perfectly fine may be more then I need. Plus I save quite a bit with s60 and get a new driveshaft for several hundred less altogether then a 9 inch. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Hopefully should have it in 3-4 weeks.

That's cool I also called Carl today to get some final prices and he told me that Strange is raising the price by $460 February 1st. I wasn't ready for this yet but I did some work today and secured the money so I will be placing my order this upcoming week. He gave me a heck of a deal that I couldn't pass up. I was also thinking if I didn't order I would need to put money into refreshing my 10 bolt so $500 there and price jump nearly $500 I would be wasting $1,000 that's a no brainier. I'm going to do my own backing plates and reluctor rings cause I won't have the car back home until late March or early April depending on the weather.

[raynor139]

Yeah that was the first thing he told me yesterday was the mark up in February. Kind of curious to see if they remain as popular as they have been since that puts them in 9 inch territory. Especially with the fact the s60 requires a new drive shaft but the 9 inch doesnt.

[kingls1]

I agree, it will also come in line with the 12bolt's. However I could never under stand the price difference between the two anyhow considering the stoutness of the s60. That 8.8 you mentioned is priced right with the 12bolts! I would never spend that much dough on one when they can be built for under $2 bills. From all the information I gathered on this I think we will be more than happy in the end.
Chase what gearing did you go with?

[raynor139]

I went with 3.73s. Car is rarely raced and it's never been to a drag strip. Mainly just sees highway miles with a some in city driving.

[Nutball]

I went with 3.73s. Car is rarely raced and it's never been to a drag strip. Mainly just sees highway miles with a some in city driving.

I think you'll like the 3.73
I'm very happy with mine

[pajeff02]

Went up yesterday to see her resting comfortably in the storage building. Can't wait to turn the key this spring!

[raynor139]

Looking at torque arms now since the car is sitting till the s60 arrives. Have Texas speed true duals and I know MWC makes a tunnel mount set up that works with it. Emailed Texas speed also to see what they recommend.