I just finished installing an 8.5” Nova rear end with an Eaton Posi, 3:42 Motive gears, and 4 leaf springs into my 67 RS. To say I am pleased with the results would be an understatement. I not only eliminated a nasty driveline vibration but it also solved a clutch chatter problem I had!

After I installed the 8.5 rear and hooked up the old drive shaft I ran it on the jack stands. A good bit of the vibration was gone so I am assuming most of it was coming from the old 8.2 rear end.

The old drive shaft was too long with only 3/8” before it would bottom out in the slip joint in the transmission. This is no where near enough clearance to go driving around with it like that so I had the drive shaft from the donor Nova shortened and balanced to fit. It is now as smooth as silk with no clutch chatter or any hint of vibration at any speed. I just finished a test drive and the new gears are super quiet. It has made this old Camaro an absolute joy to drive.

If anyone is interested in photos of this project you can see them here: 8.5 rear end swap (http://geocities.com/sdampier@sbcglobal.net/Team_Camaro/Rear)

Nice job on that ring & pinion installation! But what's with the pink brake shoes?

Nice job on that ring & pinion installation! But what's with the pink brake shoes?I should have looked in the box before I bought them. When I saw them I figured what the hell, no one is going to see them.:o

How come you didn't notice this when you went to install the driveshaft? I mean, you have to push the yoke into the tranny to get the clearance for the rear u-joints to sit in their slots.

Just curious as I have been chasing a vibration problem for a couple of years and have spent about 10K on engine and tranny overhauls, new parts, internal balancing the engine, and on and on....................

How come you didn't notice this when you went to install the driveshaft? I mean, you have to push the yoke into the tranny to get the clearance for the rear u-joints to sit in their slots.I never intended to use the old driveshaft with the 8.5” Nova rear end. My plan was to measure and cut to length a drive shaft I had retrieved from the 1975 Nova donor car. When I got the rear end installed in my '67 I was able to measure how much the “new” drive shaft needed to be cut.

I then installed the original Camaro drive shaft even though it was now to long. If it was any longer I would not have been able to assemble it. I just wanted to spin up the new rear end with the car on jack stands and see if I had solved the vibration problem. The new 8.5" rear end did get rid of most of the vibration. The next day my shortened Nova drive shaft was ready. The new shaft got rid of all remaining vibration.

Most of my vibration was coming from the old 8.2” rear end.

Good Job! By leaving a loaded suspension, the OE driveshaft would have more room to remove/install.