Re: Rear axle conversions

[Robert Ducker <bducker@domain.elided>]

Greetings Stuart,

   My solution to this problem was to modify the chevy 350 to work reliably
at higher rpm, which also has the "side effect" (as I explained to the
Wife!) of increasing power output substantially.
   For another option, the early eighties Camero has a couple of
interesting overdrive applications for the chevy 350. The 700r4 automatic
and Borg-Warner standard both have an overdrive top gear. There are
versions that are not "computer dependent" and will drive the Stag
speedometer. Some light trucks use the same boxes and are easier (cheaper)
to find. However, my measurement of the shortest 700r4 puts it about 2
inches too long for the Stag's transmission tunnel and so would require
floor pan modifications. 
   BTW, I'm using a th350 automatic (which fits the transmission tunnel)
and the standard Stag rear. My chevy 350 has been modified wih "roller"
rockers, lifters & timing chain, fluidamper, Edelbrock aluminum heads,
ramshorn headers and Edelbrock/Weber multi-point EFI (very good for hood
clearance). The horsepower is approximately 400 at 6,000 rpm, with a
self-imposed redline of 7,000 (about 120 mph). The stock Stag drivetrain
has been completely (amazingly!) reliable over the past 10,000 miles or so.
I also use synthetic gl6 gear oil in the diff... It's worked for me! 

Happy Holidays to all Staggers!

At 08:38 PM 12/7/97 -0500, CHRISTINE   GREENWOOD wrote:
>	I have just met a guy who has bought a Stag with a Chevy 350 
>conversion. However the rear axle ratio is still Stag standard, 3.7, 
>and is why to low for his engine, he needs something like 2.7 to 3.0.
>
>	I know from the UK SOC that one way to go is fit a BMW differential 
>and Datsun drive shafts. Has anybody done this? Has anybody solved 
>this problem another way?