I am sure this question has been posted before so forgive me, but what car is the best donor for a higher ratio replacement for my 2.42 rear in my 76 grand prix. I need to know what is a good donor for a double exhaust transmission crossmember too. Thanks.

I am sure this question has been posted before so forgive me, but what car is the best donor for a higher ratio replacement for my 2.42 rear in my 76 grand prix. I need to know what is a good donor for a double exhaust transmission crossmember too. Thanks.

Unfortunately, there isn't a good donor car for a lower gear for you. Very Few cars from your generation ('73-'77) had any kind of gear at all. If you can find a stick non-ac car that would be your best chance for a lower gear but so few were ordered that way when new. How many of those are left that are parting in wrecking yards 30 years later? Another remote option is maybe a 455 GP or Grand Am, most had 3.08's but, again, how many are left on boneyards? You may be better off looking into a new r&p that will fit your rear. I consider myself fortunate that I traded for a 3.42 posi for my '73 GTO. They are hard to find.
Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

I'm not sure but I think that 3.42s came as the stadard ratio on GAs with the 400 4bbl and auto.

Your best bet for the duel exaust trans crossmember is a 73 grandam/monte/regal or a cutlas supream (have to be carful on the cutlasses though as they can also have the stamped crosmember of the smaller "A" bodies. I used one from a monte on my 76 GP years ago, it bolted directly to the fram rails withou the rubber isolators though. (no problem to change over) it is rare that a 74 or later car will have duels as Cats were installed on most of them almost requiring a single exaust. but you never know. Good hunting.
Jeff