HELP - 12bolt to 10 bolt SWAP

[pavell]

Good Afternoon guys.

I currently have a 69 camaro with a 355 small block, m21 muncie 4-speed and a "1967 12 bolt" chevy rear end with the factory traction bar. The rear end is currently a 4.10 ratio.

I just recently purchased a "used 10 bolt rear end" with a 2.73 factory gear ( I believe its an 8.2 10 bolt, its from a 6 cylinder camaro) I bought the rear end for $150 bucks. I am sure this combination (2.73 with a m21) might be an issue in the city. Any thoughts on this?

Secondly and most importantly. I am concerned about the U-joints to bolt up this rear end. I was told it is not a direct swap. The guy I bought the rear end told me that I would have to buy some special U-joint that would adapt my current setup to the new rear end. Also I am pretty sure the rear drums are a direct swap over.....What else would i Need? Anything I'm missing.

Thanks for the help and let me know if you need any more information.

Thanks.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I would rather do a gear swap then swap the complete rear.

If you do the swap don't toss that 12 bolt out. They make a swap u joint, just measure cap to cap on your drive shaft then cap register on the pinion then bring it to your parts guy for the correct joint.

You can weld on 2 brackets to put your trac arm on the 10 bolt. 2:73 should be fine. A 3:08 or 3:42's would be better. But seriously, price around for a gear swap.

[TheJDMan]

Going from 4.10 to 2.73 will be dissappointing at best. You will have poor acceleration and at highway speeds you will only be running the engine at around 2200rpm depending on your tire dia. You would be better off having a local shop install a 3.50 gear in your 12bolt.

[intocarss]

You're not going to like the 2.73 gear and why would you want an 8.2 10 bolt over a much stronger 12 bolt? Just do a gear swap in your 12 bolt

[pavell]

I would just swap in the 2.73's for a while to try it out.

[bobcat68rs]

maybe you could try a set of 3.42's? would still work for cruising and still get you moving pretty well

[Zspoiler]

I would change the gears in the 12 bolt to around 3:23 s .the 12 bolt is stronger. The 8.2 fine for Stock low horse power car .But are "Bad News" foe anything with power. They don `t last long. they will eventually brake. Good luck to you.

[RBuhr69]

I have 2.73 in my 10bolt with 700r4 overdrive tranny, 383 SBC...At 70-75mph, I am only turning 1900rpm at best with 275/40/-18 rear tires. Yes, the low 2.73 does suck getting up to speed or if you are wanting to take off crazy from a dead stop unless you go through the gears low1, low2, etc.. ........

Working on a Moser 12 bolt and going to 3.08 just because I drive a lot on Hwy and dont want to loose the 20mpg ...I just want a little more rpm range for low speeds around town..