Upgrading factory rear end or swap?

[xtremeblzer2002]

Gentlemen

I am curious as to what I can do to make a the blazers rear end which is already limited slip stronger. I just totaled my blazer, however am considering buying it back once its all settled. My plan is to pull it appart and fix the frame if possible and put the ls engine in it. But My concern is what rear end would I need to swap. I would like to keep the factory if possible my dad says no it wont handle it. Does anyone make stronger axles I know there are stronger differentials. Or would the housing not handle it? Will I have to go with a ford 9"? I am just wondering obviously the goal is to keep it as stock looking as possible. Ideas? I have the conversion manual from the guy that does ls1 swaps in s10's and he did the ford 9" swap. Let me know Im obviously trying to avoid spending a bunch of cash but want it done once and correct.
Thanks Guys.

[Hammer Head]

F bodies w/ the LSx, if that's what you're refering to, have the same 7.625 rear. IMO, I'd suggest a torsen from an LS1 camaro, 97-up, & then use a rear girdle. This is what I'm talking about.. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TFS%2D8510400&N=700+4294891995+4294785191+4294901310+115&autoview=sku (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TFS%2D8510400&N=700+4294891995+4294785191+4294901310+115&autoview=sku) or http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SME%2D8510400&N=700+4294891995+4294785191+4294901310+115&autoview=sku W/ this done the rear will handle 450-500 hp, more than enough to handle the LSx.

[xtremeblzer2002]

So all I really need to do is swap the diff and cover?, I dont need to swap axles or the ring and pinion? I know the diff will fit I just wanted to make sure I dont run it down the track on on the street and have the gears shredd.
Thanks Again

[Mikz86TA]

There isnt any 'bolt-in' swaps from another vehicle. If you got a ZR2 Blazer rear end ,shortened the axle tubes and had shorter axles made, then that would be an upgrade. A ZR2 uses the 8.5 where the rest use a 7.5 rear. Now, some Trucks with 4.3/5M combo like mine had the 8.5 diff. But IDK if that applied to Blazers as well. Ive never seen one. Trucks and Blazers have a differnet rear end setup as Im told.
I have a 86 7.5/7.625 still rockin behind my 355 in the TA. I have no girdle and other than the Auburn and gears, its stock. I did use new bearings/races when I did the rebuild many years ago.
Some things other than a Torsen and Girdle would be find c-clip eliminators and maybe have some hardened axles made by Moser or Strange or Currie.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

I would say to do just like hammerhead said. The ss camaro and the ws6 trans-am had the same size rear as we have under our trucks....

[xtremeblzer2002]

Looks like that is what I will be doing, and Since it will handle 450-500 I can cam the ls1 or if I choose just put the ls6 in Who knows man so many things to think about, does the ls block use the same engine mount locations as the 4.3? I will let you guys know and start a thread with my progress if that is what I end up doing.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

This sounds hopeful. Make sure you do keep us updated.

[bespurcell]

This sounds hopeful. Make sure you do keep us updated.

X2

[Hammer Head]

Trucks & blazers do not have different rear end setups, Mike. They DO use different rear anti-roll bars (sway bars) & they're not interchangible between the two. 2wds,4x4s & ZR2s had different rear widths but that didn't matter if it was in a truck or blazer. I know I haven't seen it either BUT I've heard some 8.5s have found a home in a few blazers since being expelled from the factory. Axles do not need to be upgraded.. 28 splines is just fine. Camaros use them & do alright.. why not us? We're lighter.. most times.



There isnt any 'bolt-in' swaps from another vehicle. If you got a ZR2 Blazer rear end ,shortened the axle tubes and had shorter axles made, then that would be an upgrade. A ZR2 uses the 8.5 where the rest use a 7.5 rear. Now, some Trucks with 4.3/5M combo like mine had the 8.5 diff. But IDK if that applied to Blazers as well. Ive never seen one. Trucks and Blazers have a differnet rear end setup as Im told.
I have a 86 7.5/7.625 still rockin behind my 355 in the TA. I have no girdle and other than the Auburn and gears, its stock. I did use new bearings/races when I did the rebuild many years ago.
Some things other than a Torsen and Girdle would be find c-clip eliminators and maybe have some hardened axles made by Moser or Strange or Currie.

[Hammer Head]

When I get around to it I'll be droppin a LQ9 block done out to 402/408 CID in my truck.. & still use the 7.625 10 bolt. It's got the torsen zexel & trick flow girdle. As for mounts.. no, not the same location. They make conversion mounts.. a quick search on ebay for 'LS1 s10' should turn them up.


Looks like that is what I will be doing, and Since it will handle 450-500 I can cam the ls1 or if I choose just put the ls6 in Who knows man so many things to think about, does the ls block use the same engine mount locations as the 4.3? I will let you guys know and start a thread with my progress if that is what I end up doing.

[Mikz86TA]

OK, I remember something back there was differnet. Sway bar not diff mounts. I was thinking Exploder vs Ranger/Exploder Sport I guess.

[xtremeblzer2002]

So are the camaro axles the same lenght as the 2wd blazers then if you say I could use those? Sorry for all the novice questions, I have never done any upgrading to a rear end except my girlfriends.. haha anyway just trying to get as much info as possible

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

No i dont think the camaro axles are the same lenght its just the same carrier size....

[89BLAZE]

they arent i tried that trick with my truck and it didnt work they are different lengths. go ahead and chunk down the change for some yukon brand axles they arent tapered like the stock axles are and are alot stronger i have them in my truck and love em. that should make the rear as strong as you need it.

[Hammer Head]

I have never done any upgrading to a rear end except my girlfriends..

Isn't that a little personal?

Camaro axles won't work & really.. they're not necessary. The S10 axles are 28 splines & do just fine. That was the point I was trying to make.

[xtremeblzer2002]

Sounds good, the comment was just to try to crack a smile but whatever works, Thanks again for all the info
Brock

[Mikz86TA]

They just are the same spline count...not length.