Question on new diff gears / pin installation

[Tim_K]

I've got a 177,000 mile 89 Omni 2.2 TBI 5 speed (525), and am buying a new clutch for the car. It'll be the 9 inch turbo clutch. But I need to decide on my transmission first.

The 525 in the car is good, and I know where there's another 525 from a 1988 Omni that I can get cheap that should also be good. I want to put in a new set of differential gears and the pin while changing the clutch.

Some of the things I've seen here and at the other FWD Mopar sites say to leave the differential pin locking bolt OUT when putting the new pin in. You're just supposed to use those 2 sheet metal tabs that mount to the ring gear bolts and let the shaft float around in the case. Supposedly this allows the shaft to rotate and equalize the wear on it.

Is this a good idea? This will be the daily driver that gets driven 60+ miles a day, and I don't want to end up on the side of the road a long way from home because one of those metal tabs bent over and let the diff pin come out.

I can see the benefit of the floating pin, but would feel much better having the locking bolt in, unless it's a common thing to leave the locking bolt out.

And on top of all this, I have to choose between using a 525 and having a spare gearbox handy, or spending money on a 523 and shifter assembly from a 91 Daytona. I know the 523 is stronger, but do I REALLY need it on a TBI Omni that might get built up a little (120-150 hp range tops, MAYBE nitrous someday) and is daily driven plus beat on the dragstrip and in street racing?

I can't just add the clutch now and change trannys later because the clutch disc splines are different between 525's and 523's.

[Frank]

no matter which tranny you do, you DO need to leave the roll pin out to keep the diff pin free, and the metal tabs do hold everything together. it will be fine.

if you need any visual help, here is a document that includes pictures of a T-Trac Install.

Frank

[Dean Stillie]

To be honest with yuo I'm not sure the pin retainers will even work with a 525. The ones ppl are using on 555 and 523's are from a 3 speed auto.
I would switch trans if you want it to survive.
The 525 will be ok if you keep away from one wheel peels ....just sooner or later you'll blow it up if your beating on it hard.