Dilemma: 4.10s or ZL1 cradle swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

csorrentini · 01-18-2021, 12:46 PM

Helolo all, in a slight dilemma as I am not sure which route I should go. Speaking strictly to the most optimal, I have the ability to get the complete rear cradle swapped to a ZL1 for $2300 from a local reputable hot rod shop. I know the ZL1 rear is hella heavier but much stronger obviously and if I recall 3.73 gear? This swap would be for the Diff, Driveshaft, Axles, Rear brakes and hubs for ZL1.

Little about my car, full bolt on NA build, LS7 heads, MSD Airforce intake mani, cammed, everything else outside the engine. 530 RWHP currently. Would it be wiser to just go with the 4.1s with a tru-trac or do this full swap?

ariZona28 · 01-18-2021, 04:17 PM

This is strictly my opinion as I have never been involved with such a project but if you can do that ZL1 rear set-up I would say go for that. Factory engineered beefy rear with 3.73 gears will be great with the build you have PLUS it will be durable provided it is in reasonable condition (I'm assuming it is used). Are you auto or manual? What are your intentions with this vehicle? I'm a big fan of 3.91s for the SS rear but that 3.73 will work great.

Thunder70 · 01-18-2021, 04:48 PM

If you don’t go with the ZL1 rear let me know I could use it

dreksnot · 01-18-2021, 06:47 PM

With the ZL1, you'd obviously get the beefier axles and a little stronger driveshaft (if you keep that stock ZL1). That ZL1 diff is nearly bulletproof and will be ready for more power when you just have to have more. I've had both 3.23 and 3.73 ZL1 diffs. They're quiet and damn strong. Either way you go, be sure to get those rubber differential bushings out and replace with polys. No need for Delrin (yet).

Vegas Bound · 01-18-2021, 08:13 PM

The SS and ZL1 rear cradles are exactly the same. The only difference is the parts bolted to them.

CamaroCracka · 01-19-2021, 09:49 AM

Only two reasons not to go with ZL1 rear:

1. Weight, it's almost twice the weight of a stock rear at 140 lbs.
2. Limited gear choice. Only 3.23 and 3.73 are available.

If those are not a problem, they are much superior to the any of the 8.6 stuff. Specifically, you don't need to upgrade axles if you do a ZL1 cradle, unlike building an 8.6.

csorrentini · 01-21-2021, 09:23 PM

Yea, weight is my only concern considering I plan on stopping with this gear change and keeping it a nasty NA build. So was thinking the 4.11s for it as opposed to the lower gears and heavier even though they are strong as hell. Perhaps there is another diff set I can get that has both worlds??

Bo White · 01-22-2021, 06:00 AM

If not going to a power adder stay with the 8.6

CamaroCracka · 01-22-2021, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csorrentini

Yea, weight is my only concern considering I plan on stopping with this gear change and keeping it a nasty NA build. So was thinking the 4.11s for it as opposed to the lower gears and heavier even though they are strong as hell. Perhaps there is another diff set I can get that has both worlds??

Anything besides ZL1 or and 8.6 build will be expensive.

dino2012ls3 · 07-21-2021, 06:00 PM

I love my 4.10s went with the tru trac as well. I have all the BMR rear suspension goodies to add just havent had the time.

01-18-2021, 12:46 PM	#1
csorrentini Drives: 2010 Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Palm Beach, fl Posts: 376	Dilemma: 4.10s or ZL1 cradle swap Helolo all, in a slight dilemma as I am not sure which route I should go. Speaking strictly to the most optimal, I have the ability to get the complete rear cradle swapped to a ZL1 for $2300 from a local reputable hot rod shop. I know the ZL1 rear is hella heavier but much stronger obviously and if I recall 3.73 gear? This swap would be for the Diff, Driveshaft, Axles, Rear brakes and hubs for ZL1. Little about my car, full bolt on NA build, LS7 heads, MSD Airforce intake mani, cammed, everything else outside the engine. 530 RWHP currently. Would it be wiser to just go with the 4.1s with a tru-trac or do this full swap? Last edited by csorrentini; 01-18-2021 at 01:35 PM.

01-18-2021, 04:17 PM	#2
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,234	This is strictly my opinion as I have never been involved with such a project but if you can do that ZL1 rear set-up I would say go for that. Factory engineered beefy rear with 3.73 gears will be great with the build you have PLUS it will be durable provided it is in reasonable condition (I'm assuming it is used). Are you auto or manual? What are your intentions with this vehicle? I'm a big fan of 3.91s for the SS rear but that 3.73 will work great. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

01-18-2021, 06:47 PM	#4
dreksnot Served USN - Atomic Chimp Drives: 13 Camaro LSX434 TT M6, 21 ZLE A10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,605 View My Garage	With the ZL1, you'd obviously get the beefier axles and a little stronger driveshaft (if you keep that stock ZL1). That ZL1 diff is nearly bulletproof and will be ready for more power when you just have to have more. I've had both 3.23 and 3.73 ZL1 diffs. They're quiet and damn strong. Either way you go, be sure to get those rubber differential bushings out and replace with polys. No need for Delrin (yet). __________________ In excess of 1,000WHP LSX434 \| AGP 65/65 TT \| BTR Equalizer Intake \| Trickflow 245cc cathedral \| BTR custom cam \| Cortex EBC \| n2mb WOT \| ID-1700x \| Brisk GR12S \| RPM Lv 7 TR6060 \| AGP's Triple 525LPH Fore Fuel \| Monster LT1-S Triple \| 4.11 DSS Proform 9", CF driveshaft, 1400hp axles \| Hurst Line Lock \| MGW Retro Short Throw w/old skool Hurst T-handle \| ADM solid subframe mounts \| Prothane Motor Mounts \| Revshift Poly Trans insert \| Moreno camber/caster plates

01-19-2021, 09:49 AM	#6
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,736	Only two reasons not to go with ZL1 rear: 1. Weight, it's almost twice the weight of a stock rear at 140 lbs. 2. Limited gear choice. Only 3.23 and 3.73 are available. If those are not a problem, they are much superior to the any of the 8.6 stuff. Specifically, you don't need to upgrade axles if you do a ZL1 cradle, unlike building an 8.6. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

01-18-2021, 04:48 PM	#3
Thunder70 Drives: 2010 ss camaro Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mercerville N.J. Posts: 42	If you don’t go with the ZL1 rear let me know I could use it

01-18-2021, 08:13 PM	#5
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	The SS and ZL1 rear cradles are exactly the same. The only difference is the parts bolted to them.

01-21-2021, 09:23 PM	#7
csorrentini Drives: 2010 Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Palm Beach, fl Posts: 376	Yea, weight is my only concern considering I plan on stopping with this gear change and keeping it a nasty NA build. So was thinking the 4.11s for it as opposed to the lower gears and heavier even though they are strong as hell. Perhaps there is another diff set I can get that has both worlds??

01-22-2021, 06:00 AM	#8
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	If not going to a power adder stay with the 8.6

07-21-2021, 06:00 PM	#10
dino2012ls3 Drives: 2012 ls3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: humble Posts: 113	I love my 4.10s went with the tru trac as well. I have all the BMR rear suspension goodies to add just havent had the time.