Thread: will 8.5 gn rear fit in 1981 malibu & brakes

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I have the drive train I just need to know if I have to get a different rear to go under the car ,
I am thinking about doing the brake upgrade . Is Baer that much better than wildwood system ?

The malibu probally came with a 7.5 in it so if they arent any longer\shorter than eachother hub to hub they should fit.. given you have the same suspension set up on each axle..


Justin

Hello, Yes it fits. It is a bolt-up deal. Check the gears, 3:73's and lower suck on the highway without overdrive.

shorter driveshaft for the 8.5 otherwise a bolt in.
they come with either 3.42's or 3.73 gears.

what is the correct way to measure the how much of the driveshaft I will need to cut . I know I will have to get it rebalanced .

Hello, I put a 8.5 in my '81 El Camino and the driveshaft fit fine.

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/vi...e+shaft#177840

just check it and make sure it doesnt bottom out on the tail shaft housing. dont forget the yoke moves forward on a coil spring car as the rear end goes down away from the car in its suspension travel. with the car jacked up and the rear end hanging all the way down on the shocks is worst case.

I have both factory drive shafts. I can check this weekend and tell you exactly what the difference is. The one out of an 8.5 car is also a little larger in diameter.