With a stock ls1 (aside from slp exhaust), a stock 10 bolt, and street tires or drag radials, do any of you guys foresee likely breakages while launching at idle or low rpm? I've heard of the 10 bolts being an achilles' heel for f bodies, but I feel that roughly stock horsepower and idle or low rpm launching would severely decrease any risk. It would be bracket raced 10-15 times in a year. If i decide to make a race car out of the vehicle and significantly raise the performance, though, I would most definitely go to a 12 bolt or something.

All feedback's appreciated- thanks!

 

Well if your running an automatic, which has some give you can get away with it for a while. If you got a stick, its just a matter of time before you're going to have problems, especially if you are running slicks. Gm high tech magazine I believe was doing tests on a dyno checking HP, when on their drive back to the shop???, their axle broke, and came sliding out. If you are going to bracket race your going to need sticky tires so you can run consistant. The first changes I made on my car was a new rearend, centerforce clutch, and ET street tires. I did everything backwards compare to others, I started at the back and worked my way forward.

 

woops, i left it out in my original post, but it does have an automatic transmission. for the track, im leaning toward BFG DR's. the car's a daily driver otherwise, and i'd likely be changing tires before track meets if I decide to go the DOT Drag Radial route. Maybe it'd be best to invest in a 12 bolt rear or something in the long run... I'm not too sure about costs and whatnot as far as that would go, though.

 

If your going to change wheels at the track get the MT street radials. It's a better tire. Maybe pick up a new rearend cover too. Something that has the two bolts that support the posi bearings.

 

My son had the 1999 Z28, with the LS1, and he also ran a stick. He ran quite a while on the 10 bolt, until we read the article about the axle sliding out and tearing up the car. We pulled his axles and the spline were being bent forward, and the axle itself was being twisted. Only a miracle that the axle didn't break while driving down the freeway. He went with the 12 bolt.

 

That's why as soon as I got my latest 97 SS I got a Dana 60 rear installed, so now no matter how far I take the hp and tq I won't have to worry about breaking the rear.

 

So how do you like it so far? Any down sides? I'm not trying to jack this thread, as I think this would be some good info for the originator. And me too.