I have an 80 elky that I will swapping in an lt1 corvette motor/trans, probably a 95 or 96 vette. my question is will the stock drive shaft work or will I need a different one? the trans is auto and the rear end is stock (for now). also what rear end would be a good replacement for the stock one, I figure the stock motor was rated at 108hp and the new motor at about 300hp, with 250k miles on the car the rear end probably isn't up to the hp increase for too long. I am not needing a drag rear end that will let me wheelie the car (it'd be nice) as this is my dads car and we are building it together. it's a daily driver but needs alot more pep given the current motor would be lucky to see 50hp on the dyno. would it be better to use an oe rearend from a different car or buy an after market rear end that can handle it.

I also want to upgrade the rear brakes to disc, is this an option? thanks

Lets see if I can answer some of your questions.

You don't say what tranny you have now but unless it's a 700r you're going to need a new driveshaft or have yours shortened. If you have a th350 your DS is about 3" too long. If you change rearends that could change the length of the DS also so you'll want to make that decision up front.

As far as rearends the stock 10 bolt will be fine with the motor but you will want to upgrade it with a posi unit if it doesn't already have one. I'm running a peg leg right now but hope to be putting my Eaton posi and a new set of gears in soon. If you start going to the track a lot then you might want to look at 12 bolts or 8.5" rear.

Converting to disc in the back you can go a couple of ways. Some people are using S-10 setups, 1 person has used some Cadillac parts and I'm going with a late model Camaro setup. If you do some searches in the break area you'll find posts about the conversions. There are also a number of aftermarket units but they can get pricey; Baer, Whilwood, Stainless Steel Brakes to name a few.

the tranny is stock the th350 I believe, and I am 99% sure the rear end will be replaced. is there anyway to get a rearend and driveshaft for this swap before the swap goes in. it's a daily driver so I want to avoid having to install the rear end and measure the length, then wait for it to be shipped/ fab'd at a local shop. and I do want a posi for sure. what gearing in the rear should I look for that will give good driveability around town and on highway but still let the tires break loose at the light if I get in it?

Just about any gears will let you break the tires loose pretty easily. I'm going with 3.42s in mine. Larry (Duke) has 3.42s and he has told me that he can still break the tires loose at freeway speeds. So spinning tires isn't really a problem, traction is.

You can get another rear and prep it out but the LT1 install will take a while and you would be able to get a DS made and sent to you in time. I went with Inland Empire Driveline because they are close to me. I ordered it Friday morning and picked it up the next day. And like I said you can upgrade your rearend to a posi and not swap it out. But that would be up to you.

me and my dad will be doing it in his driveway so we need the easiest and economical solution, for us tearing down a rear end and rebuilding the gearing is more than we want to do, we could do it but limited space to work. so I was figuring if I could basically unbolt the old rear and bolt in the new one that'd be the easiest, as long as there is a rear that will bolt up and give me what I am looking for.

which cars have a posi, can take the hp and will be the least amount of fabrication?

A Monte SS rear would probably be adequate, but if you have the money, go for an 8.5" rear from a Hurst Olds or Buick GN. That would be the strongest. I think a guy is selling them in the garage sale section for $850.

whisc years should I be looking for on the gn and ss?