hey guys. I know this has probably been coverd 1001 times
but It hasn't ever seemed 100% clear to me what has to be done...

RIGHT...
What I have:
EA Fairmont GHIA with 2.77 lsd (lsd not really lsd-ing anymore i dont think)
T5 manual.

What i want:
3.45 lsd

I have just searched ebay and came across this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Commodore-Ford-3-45-3-5-Borg-Warner-Diff-Gears-V8_W0QQitemZ230289009706QQihZ013QQcategoryZ33728QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What I would like to know is:
1a. Will these fit in the housing of the 2.77 gears?
1b. Are these the only functional parts I'll need for the job (not including tools etc)
2. Will i be able to use the lsd centre out of my current setup? (it doesnt really bother me if i cant keep the lsd)
4. What has to be done to correct the speedometre reading?
3. Will this be a specialist job to setup? (to me it definitely looks like it)

Thanks heaps to anyone who has the patience to ''enlighten'' me with the answers of these questions.

-as far as im aware no they wont fit in a 2.77 housing. you need a 3.08 housing or bigger..

-you will need a variety of shims and a colapsable spacer to set the pinion preload, i would also put a new set of bearing in there whilst its apart.

-yes you can retain your lsd centre, you will need to use your current axels, as a later diff is likely to be 28 spline where yours is likely 25.

-you can get the correct speedo gear from a wrecker/ford theyre not overly dear and just swap it with the current one in your gearbox extension housing.

-to ensure it all goes together properly, especially if youve never done one before, i would suggest getting professional help.



hope that helps
-mitch

I think your best bet would be to get a complete diff (disc to disc) from a wreckers and just whack your brakes on it. 2.77 + 5speed isn't a great combo that's what I had in my first EA. I Changed it to a 2.92 lsd from an Spack and it was heaps better! Also EA series 2 Ghias and Spack had 3.23 diffs which would be even better again.

Most of this is correct cept a few items.
2.77 housing/hemi/gears are 0575 series (25 spline)

2.92 and up are 0578 series bar a couple of combos (25 & 28spline)

There are both sets (3.45) available in either series but as the ebay item is reffering to ALL MODELS i would assume he is talking about any 0578 series model.
I have done this exact transplant myself with no real knowledge on diff mechanics but with a set of 3.45 0578 gears, 25 spline 'openwheeler' centre but the new gear set will not mesh on the old 0575 hemi they are about 8mm offset on the crown wheel.

I believe u could source an lsd to fit 0578 gears & 25 spline axles from either commo 6s (utes and wagons) or vl non turbos as others will be 28 spline unless u can find some replacement axles aswell.

If the items for sale are 0575 series then u will have no troubles using ur hemi or housing as it is but i personally havent seen any of these around so i dont think u will be in luck.

thanks heaps. Thats helped me understand what has to be done a little better.
Basically what your saying is there are 2 types of diff housings in the E Series and the 3.45's are suited for the one i dont have,....that'd be right!!!
I may just ask the guys over at the wreckers to either keep an eye out for or sell me a complete rear end out of a ED XR6 or even just settle for the 3.23 diff and rear end out of a EA II GHIA.

My dads been building/fixing cars for the past 30yrs so we may be able to set it up in the workshop. Im just scared of asking him because he's been my free mechanic..
ME:"hey dad! what you up to this weekend?....wanna help me complicate my car again?"
HIM:"Ahhh f**k.......OK. what is it THIS time?"
ME:" Oh i bought a manual gearbox.....thought we could put it in....and by we i mean you."
HIM: *pulls whats left of his hair out*