It's time to start thinking about my rear end (still stock 3.23 with 158K) because I know it won't last too much longer with my current HP levels. I'm trying to decide whether to keep the stock rear and upgrade to all new parts high-quality parts and 3.73's or just put a Ford 9 in and be done with it. Obviously, if $$ was no object it would be an easy decision. I'm wondering how much of a weak link my rear end would be if I only upgraded parts? As for driving conditions, my car will never see the track or slicks...only a street car, but I may get some MT DR's soon and launch pretty hard here and there on the street. Basically, I don't want to throw $800-900 at an upgrade if I will still have to worry about breaking stuff, but would love to save about $1000 by just doing that. Any ideas or experiences either way?

Thanks !

Robert

 

There was an interesting article in High Performance Pontiac magazine about a year and a 1/2 ago. Over two issues, they completely reworked the stock 10-bolt. At the end, if I recall correctly, they had spent about $1,700 (some of that was for powder coating, so can be deleted), and judged that the end result was good for about 425 rwHP on a car with an auto tranny. They did not recommend the setup for a manual trans.

Part I
http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...ild/index.html

Part II
http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...ild/index.html

 

Thanks Injuneer...what a great article....exactly what I was looking for. Any other thoughts by anyone else are also welcome!

Robert

 

For the strongest rear, at the lowest price, with the highest mechanical efficiency, look at the Strange/Dana 60. The 9-inch carries a lot of baggage, including limited ABS options, pinion shaft offset to one side, and .75" lower than a GM rear, lower mechanical efficiency, higher weight, etc. Yes, the 9-inch can be built to handle mega-HP, but if you don't plan to make mega-HP, the 12-bolt or the Dana may be a better choice.

 

Don't know anything about the ABS system, I have a tird gen but I'm buying a moser housing and axle package $975 , bought a third member from j-yard with trac-loc for $75, trac-loc rebuild=50, rebuild kit for third member $100, and used 4.11 gears $50. Only drawback is the third member is a C7AWE casting. These casting's have some magnesium in them but not as much as the famed N cases. Should still be better than a earlier no magnesium case. So that's $1,250, It's not the strongest 9 you can build but I know it will be better than anything I can do with my 7.5 10 bolt. And If I do need to upgrade in the future I'll know it's money well spent. Just something to think about before spending good money on a 10 bolt.