AND as for the guy saying that it is one of the weakest rear GM everproduces is TOTALLY nonsense...lol. I can name a ton more weak than that rear...lol.
The pontiac 8.2 has bolt in axles making it very safe if something were to go wrong inside the diff. The axle shaft will stay intact in the housing not to ruin the rear 1/4 of the vehicle.
For the street most rears all the way to the 7.5 will do the job just fine AS LONG as maintenance is kept up...Most unfortunately are 30+ year old containing the same fluid from 1960...lol. JUST not fair to evaluate or compare rear that are not in tip top shape form the beginning.
anY NEW DIFF WILL WORK LONGER AND BETTER THAN A 40 YEAR OLD out of spec low on fluid diff no matter the size. Jim
Hope some of this info helps