Gear swaps

[jumpball207]

Ive been noticeing recent threads about gear swaps to a 3.58 i was wondering what was this and how would it benefit the car and the power increase. And when you gear swap will it make both tires spin instead of just 1 tire

 

[02V8Sport]

Ive been noticeing recent threads about gear swaps to a 3.58 i was wondering what was this and how would it benefit the car and the power increase. And when you gear swap will it make both tires spin instead of just 1 tire

Most 00-02 V8 LS's had a 3.31 rear end gear. Early 00's from about 4-99 to 7-99 production dates had the 3.58 rear end. The 3.58 came back in 2003 and up again.

The benefit from a 3.58 vs 3.31 gear is you will get through the gears quicker. The LS gets a little bit more kick off of the line that it was missing due to the low torque of the small V8 motor. Overall you will be running about 500 RPM's higher than the 3.31, which also means you are in a higher power band at all times.

The 3.58 is also an open differential like the 3.31, so you will not have both tires spinning either. Havent found a Limited Slip setup that will fit our rear end yet.

If you want to do this, I recommend you find a complete rear end carrier instead of spending time changing out the gears. Its not a easy job, there was a lot involved to swap out the carriers. Will take almost a full day to do. Cost me $200 to do the whole job by finding the carrier in a salvage yard out of a 2004 Ford Thunderbird.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

There is a complete IRS out of a 2003 for sale on eBay for $200. It's a steal!

 

[01lssport]

There is a complete IRS out of a 2003 for sale on eBay for $200. It's a steal!

I talked to that guy. I asked him if he would just sell the diff. He said he would sell just the diff, but it would still cost $200.00. I'm sure tha shipping (225.00) would go down a little.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

I talked to that guy. I asked him if he would just sell the diff. He said he would sell just the diff, but it would still cost $200.00. I'm sure tha shipping (225.00) would go down a little.

There you go! But I would make sure your axles will go in the newer pumpkin. Maybe someone here can clarify spline count, etc to make sure the pumpkins will interchange. I'm betting they will.

 

[02V8Sport]

There you go! But I would make sure your axles will go in the newer pumpkin. Maybe someone here can clarify spline count, etc to make sure the pumpkins will interchange. I'm betting they will.

Most V8 axles work with different pumkinks. I had no problem going from the 3.31 to the 3.58, dont know about the 3.07 though, thats the only one that came on V6 manuals. I read in a service manual that the V6 axles are smaller.