S 10 diff for my malibu wagon

[shewbu]

I have been on this site quite a bit since discovering a month or so ago but still have not found detailed info on this subject though its probably here somewhere. There are tons of S 10s and Blazers in my neck of the woods. Western Canada. A few Questions.
What model ,years make good donor?
Driveshaft and ujoint and axle implications ?
Are they that much stronger?
Any info would be appreciated. Car is a daily driver with plans to up hp to 400 or so but no plans as yet to go racing other than to see what might do some day. Thanks.

 

[DOUG213XRJ]

Hey, All you need is a pre-88 26 spline posi and gears. The housing and the axles will not work on your Malibu. Look in the glove box or the center console for the option sticker you need code G80, G80= posi.

 

[shewbu]

Hey thanks. Am I to believe then that the the stock driveshaft is ok, that the stock axles then become the weakest link and that I still am not ready for 1.5 60 foot. OK with that for now. Read somewhere that after market axles are not a whole lot stronger that stock #-o .

 

[grizwald]

stock 26 spline axles are good for nothing. don't let anyone get your hopes up about using them, if that's what you've got. if you're going to start buying aftermarket stuff to try to beef up your 7.5....why not try to find an 8.5" to bolt in? there's one for sale in the "for sale" section right now for like $650. then you have no choice but to get a new driveshaft...which i'd be doing anyway if i planned to go 1.5's in the 60'. just my opinion.

 

[DOUG213XRJ]

Hey thanks. Am I to believe then that the the stock driveshaft is ok, that the stock axles then become the weakest link and that I still am not ready for 1.5 60 foot. OK with that for now. Read somewhere that after market axles are not a whole lot stronger that stock #-o .

Hey, This is what I would do. First check your axles at the bearings for scoring, If there good then find a S-10 26 spline posi with gears of your chose and install it. Run it intell you need to or want to change it.

 

[shewbu]

Hey, Sounds like my kinda plan. Want to go ahead with engine swap and daily drive summer months. IF I can find the time to get to a strip,closest one 6 hour drive, it will be on street tires for fun only. Will try to figure out how to post pic. she's a sweety.