So the 85 and up have an lsd correct? would I have to get a matching year rear end if I were to put the 13b into my car?

 

Changing the engine doesnt require you to change the rearend. ( Unless you install something really nasty like a V8 in which case the rearend may not handle the torque) The only reason I could see doing a swap is if you don't have a lsd or disc brakes and you want them.

 

All GSL and GSL-SE models had LSD's. This is the same as saying all rear disk brake vehicles have LSD's.
Not sure why you would change the rear end because of installing a 13B.

 

I have an 80 ls, I don't even know if it has a solid rear end.... now that I think about it, that's real easy to check. Anyway, I wanted to put in a solid rear end so when I boost up the 13b, it take a little punishment.

 

All 1st gens made,have solid rear axles.

There are two basic versions in two basic flavors,but they all are very similar in size and capacites........

79-83......drum or disc....all have the smaller axles and bearings.81-83 GSL models had factory discs and LSD

84-85.....drum or disc.....all have the larger axles and bearings.GSL models had the same discs and LSD as earlier years.....The GSL-SE models had lower gearing on their LSD rears and larger discs,but the strength of the unit is no different.

They can and do hold up well to turbo 13B engines,so long as you dont abuse them......which isnt saying much since you can make them fail with stock HP if you beat on and neglect them enough.Good care and responsible driving has helped my SE rearend hold up just fine behind a 300HP 13BT,for almost 6 years of daily driving.

 

So Steve, I would love to get this thing to 300 hp. That's what I've always wanted anyway, (prob want more after that). Tell me what you did. I know they are all solid rear ends, that was the wrong wording on my part. I want something that I can put in there with an lsd, that can take around 300hp, and something I can use to drift around with. Most of my driving is windy roads and lots of hills, with a little town here and there. It really is great for fast late night driving, we don't have a ton of cops here either. Discs would be nice, but I am really looking for that lsd. Advise?

 

i have a complete se rear end for sale if your interested.
pm me.

 

I wouldnt worry about the axles breaking,since they would see the most stress under a dead launch with sticky tires.......hence,serious drag racing.Even turbo rotaries dont make tons of lowend torque,so your probably OK to run the stock shafts,although there are upgrade units out there.

Since you are gravitating more towards road race/drifting type driving,there would be less desire to run super sticky rear tires and be hard launching in 1st gear.In order to drift properly,you have to be moving at a fair clip,and you need to either have massive HP,or more often.......less grippy,average width rear tires with modest/high HP.

The weak links are going to be........

The driveline.
Any type of build up, or swap that nets you 300HP,is going to neccesitate a custom driveline.Usually hand in hand with a TII tranny swap.These 2 item together will give you a drivetrain capable of handling 300-400HP with almost no worries.How long the stock 1G rearend last depends on how abusive you are to it.

The LSD.
Drifting is enormously abusive to differentials.The stock LSD is a great unit,but its unlikely your gonna be starting with a new,healthy LSD. After 150-200K miles,even well cared for limited slips are getting sloppy.You can rebuild them,but at substantial cost.....plus,most serious drifters report having to rebuild the LSD every month.The stock LSD can lockup pretty well when under high HP,even when worn.But there is going to be a limit,and I garauntee that repeated drifting will find that limit.
Personally,from a mechanical point of view....I dont understand the whole drift thing.I know its thrilling and difficult to do,but there comes a point when the wrenching and $$$ spent,outweighs the fun and you just have to stop.

And of course,please keep that stuff on the track.Sparse traffic and police are one thing......but ditches and trees dont swerve, or give way when you plow off the road mid turn.