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Differential Swap - Part Number Help Needed

12K views 27 replies 9 participants last post by  KWBaraka  
#1 · (Edited)
I'm gathering parts for my differential change, and I've looked at several online parts houses but I cannot find some of the part numbers I need.

I'm after the Rear Lower Control Arm to Knuckle NUT (the nut that connects #11 to #3 in the attachment) and the Suspension Trailing Arm to Knuckle NUT (the nut that connects #4 to #3 in the attachment).

Apparently the NUTs are single use parts (but the bolts are not).

I've found all the other fasteners that need to be replaced but cannot locate these stupid NUTs.

For future reference, here is what needs to be replaced if you are doing a differential change:

4) Drive Shaft Bolts - 92139104
2) Wheel Drive Shaft Retaining Bolts - 92216821
2) Drive Axle Snap Rings - 92189154
Edit:
2) Rear Lower Control Arm to Knuckle NUT - 11516078
2) Suspension Trailing Arm to Knuckle NUT - 11516078

Thanks to Greg at Pace for the part numbers!
 

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#3 ·
which Diff are you switching to?
 
#4 ·
3.70 from a 2015 6M
 
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#6 ·
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#8 ·
You guys realize that with the extra deep first gear of the 6L80E 3.70s are equivalent to 4.87axle gear behind a 4L60E or 6.0gear behind a TH400, offered for some perspective.

Is the goal launch or to make 6th usable after compromising lowend torque? Tweaking big end rpm at the track?

Stock 3.27 behind a 6L80 is equivalent to basically 4.10s behind a 4L60E.
 
#10 ·
Is the goal launch or to make 6th usable after compromising lowend torque? Tweaking big end rpm at the track?
All of these are valid reasons to change gears. My reason is because of the feeling during launch and most around-town driving.

When I did this in my G8, it felt like the car had lost significant weight. It left from a stop much quicker it seemed like, and the progression through the gears was faster. It seemed to need less pedal to get up to speed than before.

General consensus is 3 tenths in the 1/4 mile (assuming you can get traction). There will be a loss in absolute top end MPH and a decrease in gas mileage but all these are things I can live with for the more responsive low and mid RPM feeling.
 
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#9 · (Edited)
Here's a diff swap thread, and another from New Caprice (PPV) Forum. Both are 3.45 Camaro swaps.

In the first thread, Eric had some pictures posted showing the physical difference in sedan and Camaro diffs--I'll ask him to try to resurrect them.

The second thread has some really good pix showing how they differ and details of the swap process.
 
#21 ·
My point is more along the lines of gears is an assumed good mod, been a great mod for decades but these have what should be plenty of first gear bone stock.

Kind of like the guys who are new to the LS motors and the first thing they want to do is higher ratio roller rockers like they did on a gen 1 motor.
 
#22 · (Edited)
My point is more along the lines of gears is an assumed good mod, been a great mod for decades but these have what should be plenty of first gear bone stock........
Well....I don't see much use or function in a 4.xxx first gear.

But hey....this won't be the first time we've had to agree to disagree....eh?

KW
 
#24 ·
I think the nuts are "one use only" because they're lock nuts?
I have had the rear end apart on my VE SS (G8) at least 8 times
& never replaced the nuts. Just use a bit of medium strength lock tite perhaps to be sure.

As for the diff ratio - YOU WILL LOVE IT - no ifs or buts.
My 2015 Senator (Almost your SS) has the 3.7 standard & it suits
the car perfectly.
Although not an exact science, your backside tells you alot about how your car is going.

Like you mentioned, the cars feel like they have lost 500 lb. They response to throttle is so much better - well, thats what my behind tells me anyway.............:) :)

Good luck with upgrade..............



.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I do have a Yank 3200....but even when the car was stock, I had no issues with 2nd gear start and shifting the gears via the shift mode function.

Pulling out from a stop light/sign and 'flicking' through the gears (in 'Sport' mode), I go from 2nd gear to 3rd at 10 mph.....4th gear at 21 mph.....5th gear at 30 mph.....and 6th gear at about 45 mph.

This is at normal, part throttle acceleration....and the engine rarely revs to 1800 rpms.

From a standstill, the 2nd gear take off at part throttle feels darn near stock. No excessive rev'ing to get the car rolling and the car does not 'lug' at all.

The shifts to go into 4th, 5th and 6th gears are set (presumably) in the ECM. So before I do the gear swap, I'll be asking my tuner if he'll have the capability to alter the shift points so that I can shift into those gears about 3-4 mph sooner.

KW