F-Body Europe

As of 8:00PM lastnight the 9in is together (except calipers and brake lines) sitting on a bench at the craft shop. I've been taking my time just to make sure that I have everything correct. Dropping the old rearend was a breeze, the only real thing I had to do to it was pull out the axles to get the backing plates off. After doing that I put them (axles) back into the 10bolt disconnected the brakelines from the (body side) car and dropped it on out. This is where the fun started The center section I bought didn't have the yoke on it so I had to install it. The pinion nut had to be tightened so that it would take 25in lbs of torque to turn the yoke. This took about 30 minutes to do since the center section was not attached to the rearend itself. After getting that done I went ahead and installed all the studs in the housing to secure the center section & installed it. I got a tip from another Fbody owner out of Utah about the bolts that hold the backing plates. Moser send these "T-bolts" that aren't very long and don't do a very good job of holding the backing plates in. So I grinded the axle housing just enough so that I could use the nuts and bolts from the 10 bolt backing plates. After completing that it was time to press on the axle bearings and retaining ring onto the axles. I'd talked to the tech guy at Moser before doing all this and was told that when installing the axle bearings and retaining ring to press them on until they bottom out. I put on the backing plates and followed the Moser instructions. I then started to install the axles. as I started tightening the bolts I had the pleasent surprise to find out that axles buttomed out inside the carrier and the axles wouldn't move. I had to remove both axles and go back to the press and move the axle reatining ring and axle bearrings 1/4in towards the axle splines (THIS WAS A FREAKING NIGHTMARE TO DO!!!!). After doing that the axles went in with no problem. So I'm headed back to the craftshop to finish up today, I'll let you know "the rest of the story" this evening!

Congrats ... sounds like you'll be ready for a high rpm clutch dump at the track next year ...

Sounds nice. If I could ever stop breaking my car, I might actually be able to afford one!! I think I'll probably sell the car before then, though.

Congratulations!

Sounds To easy Val. Let me know how the acceleration curve is now. Can'twait to put mine in in the spring time.
Later

If your car is lowere you may have to modify the dog house with a hammer.

Bruce Is that what you had to do?

Well here's the rest of the story. When I returned to the craftshop on Saturday I went to put on the calipers and the axles where sticking to far out. I had to go to the press again and move the bearing back another 1/8 in and it fit with no problem. Started to put the rearend in , hooked up the shocks and then to my surprise the bolts for the lower control arms and panhard bar where to big for the holes drilled by Moser. Had to unhook it and drop it drill the holes out and put it back up again. Went to put on the torque arm bracket fit perfect except the LGM t/a did NOT. Had to modify the LGM t/a and it finally fit in (If I would of had the stock t/a it wouldn't of been a problem.). After that things went smooth. I finally finished everything up on Sunday. I drove it to Koln today to pick up Roy's center section (for his 9in) from UPS. It whines but not bad at all. I did notice that I lost 6 MPH on each gear at redline. The take off is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The back tires are having issues now with traction, I guess I'll just have to buy new ones more often(LOL)!! The first time I got it from a dead stop I was hitting the rev limiter and seeing blue (the color of my shift light) before I could shift. It tachs up QUICK!! Now I'm glad I didn't go with the 4:11s. So if anybody else decides to go this route please let me know and I'll either come help you or give you all the ins and outs so it'll be easier for you. Now you know the rest of the story!
Val

How much was the total kit?

Anyone ever hear of "quick change"gears?

Val, would you mind writing this uo for the FBE articles, tech section? Maybe just a couple lines about caveats or stuff to watch out for ...

Daddy2K3,
The whole kit was more expensive than buying certain pieces from other places. I went through Thunder Racing for the Moser 9in housing kit $920 ( includes housing with all brackets except sway bar mounts, torque arm bracket and hardware & 31 spline axles). I went through 4X4 Wholesale Parts for the center section with gears $839. Roy and I went in together on this stuff and shipping on the axle housings was $440 from Moser to Frankfurt for both. As for the center section it had to come UPS and was $235 (to UPS in Koln)for each. Now for the hidden costs, U joints $13, BMR sway bar mounting kit $59.00, all the nuts for the "T bolts" and studs for the center section $21 Euro. Yoke from Moser $125. Tubing for the vent (on the axle) $2 Euro, Gear lube $10 (4 qts), Limited slip additive $16 for 2 bottles, 3 POR15 starter kits $97 Euro(all you really need is 1 kit). Total for eveything $2557. I bought the center section by itself and saved $500. There are hidden cost that you don't see so hopefully this helps you out.

Garry,
I'd be more than happy to!! I'll put it together with pics and send them to you hows that?? It'll take me a day or so. I need to get about 4-5 more pics, it'll make it easier to understand. I can also do one on a C5 brake upgrade for the LS1s with pics. Let me know if you want that one too
Val

Sounds great! I can put the stuff together with the pics and everything ...
Tnx!!

Glad you got it in there OK! Sorry to hear about the tires...
Quick change rear-ends are usually found under older street rods. Daddy; The "center-section" is removed and flipped over, changing the gear ratio with different gears. The "center-section" is usally removed from where the cover is and it sticks out some. Hope I didn't confuse anyone, is there a better way of explaining it? How about a link?

Congrats on the install 9 in will have a bit of whine. BTW does it rub in the dog house? Mine sure looks good in there. PS I had the same problems with the install.

Yep it rubs but I should be back in the craftshop either today or tommorow to fix it! I'll tell you I wish I would of had know all the ins & outs before I started so I would of known exactly what to expect. I did enjoy myself while doing it, it was a challenage!!

Soumds too good Val. mine should be a little less troublesome hopefully.
Just gotta wait and pass the time.