First of all, let me tell you, I plan on one day moving up to a 12-bolt, but until then, I decided to beef up my current 10-bolt. A couple years ago, I replaced the Auburn Posi with a Zexel-Torsen & installed an aluminum rear-end support girdle. I decided to go back to 3.73's from my 4.10's, so I bought a new set from a local shop, and had my gear installer put it together with a solid pinion spacer, for additional strength. I had him replace all the races and bearings. Unfortunately, my OE axles got chewed up so bad (from low gear oil- had a pinion seal leak I neglected), that he wouldn't install them. So, I sucked it up and ordered some Superior "Evolution" Hardened Axles from Summitracing.com. So, with new bearings, races, ring & pinion, stronger axles, solid pinion spacer, along with my Zexel-Torsen & Aluminum Support Cover, how stout do you think my rear-end will be? Keep in mind, I seldom race it or even put slicks on it. In fact, it hasn't even been to the dragstrip in about 4 years. Just FYI, the guy installing it is some 75-year old man whose been building drag cars and specializes in drivetrain work. He knew exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned all the junk, including how to properly install a solid pinion spacer. Again, I'm not looking for an alternative to a 12-bolt. I just don't have $2500 for one. This upgrade only is costing me $600, and like I said, right now, I haven't even taken to a strip in 4 years. How stout do you guys think this thing will be? Also, are there any other weak spots I can strengthen aside from everything I've already done?

 

I've been using the 10 bolt for 8 years. I drag race a bit and autox and road course lapping. Only once in this time did I destroy a set of gears. If you're not beating on it, it will be just fine.

 

I think you're wasting your time.

 

Wow. How constructive...

Tell me, does that statement come from experience, or from out your ***? If you think I'm wasting my time, how about telling me why I'm wasting my time by putting $600 into a rear end to get me by, instead of $2500 on a 12-bolt rear end? BTW, I'm sure a $2500 rear end assembly would go over well with my fiancee, seeing how we're already on a tight budget since our wedding is in June '06, and I'm paying for most of it...

 

The Zexel Torsen carrier is structurally much weaker than an Auburn. The walls of the carrier are thinner and there is much less material because of the oiling holes peppered all over the Torsen carrier.
I've had both and was able to crack the entire Torsen carrier in half at the track... with the stock clutch with less than 350rwtq. I replaced it with an Auburn and it was able to survive every bit of abuse including after switching to a RAM clutch. Diff held up nicely until I broke a few teeth of the pinion gear. The only thing good use for a Zexel is every day street driving or auto-x/road racing where not a lot of shock or load is placed on the driveline.
Honestly I would just leave the 10-bolt alone and invest the money in a 9" or 12-bolt.

 

People just dont tend to listen at all. Why dont both of you guys chip in and buy him a 9" or a 12 bolt. Maybe you guys are loaded and can sling around cash like that at a hearts whim, but most of us aren't rich, nor can we just drop 2000 at a moments notice and not really hurt that much from it. Fu<kin' catalog racers. Must be nice to have $$ fall out your a$$hole. Come **** on my lawn anytime. I could use a new rear end myself.
Anyways,.....sounds like you got a decent setup in mind for what you're doing. If your guy knows his **** and you trust his work, I would say go for it. Otherwise I would just try to find a nice low mileage take-out and put it in yourself. For the amount of abuse you DONT give it, they will last quite awhile. I beat the snot out of mine and I drive on 555dr's all day with stock 3.42's and a built A4 that shifts like a race car should (built by me). Im waiting for it to blow, been howling for quite awhile now. If it dont go boom soon im just going to get some 3.73's and a master kit and rebuild it. I dont even have a solid spacer in mine, still got the crush collar. Im sure some nice launches at the track might do her in though. Good luck man.

 

Wow... such hostility. LMAO!
First off... don't be stupid. My post is only from my experiences with my 10-bolt. I went through a fair share of rebuilds and it was getting pointless to keep throwing money at it only to have to rebuild it in a short while.
Secondly... an automatic transmission is much easier on a 10-bolt than a manual which is why you can preach on about how well yours has lasted especially running a 3.42 gear (thicker). If the original poster doesn't take his car to the track then he'll be fine as I already stated, but it only takes once if he ever decides to run where there's traction compound.
Thirdly... You are an angry individual with a, "must be nice..." poor white trash attitude. If the original poster doesn't want to read different opinions on the matter then he shouldn't ask and you shouldn't read and whine about your situation.
So because a 12-bolt or 9" is suggested that person is automatically a "fu<kin catalog racer"? As already said.. don't be stupid.

P.S. Thou shalt not covet.

 

Did you even bother to READ his post. In the very first sentence he states hes going to eventually get a 12 bolt. But for NOW,....hes asking opinions on beefing up a 10 BOLT. For someone talking about white trash, you should go back to school and learn to read. He also states that the vehicle hasnt been to the track in 4 years. I dont know why im bothering to reply to such an illiterate jerkoff anyways since this won't make any sense to you, but thanks for proving my point. You have $$ you can throw around on high dollar items so you can put them in your sig. Good job. Nothing makes me happier than to meet guys like you on the street and whoop yer *** with a used parts hot rod that I put together for about 1/4 what you'll spend. Oh,...and as far as your 10 bolt rebuilds,.....try finding someone reputable that knows what the hell they're doing. Reminds me of all the morons that tell me you cant build a 4L60 to hold up to 500 HP. Mmmmmkay,.....Im here to tell you you can, and it doesnt cost $2500. But if you'd like, I can build you 5 of them since you're so rich.
PS- Im not poor, bitch, I just dont waste money, yuppy.

 

lol @ this thread.

You asked me what I think. I told you what I think - building up a 10-bolt is a waste of time and money. That's my opinion. Having a bad day?

BTW, you didn't mention your wedding in the first post. Maybe you should work on getting some extra cash first, and since the 10-bolt is currently your only option, why are you asking us what we think?

 

It's an expensive hobby, you've got to pay to play.

 

Thank you.

BTW I'm going to go spend $300 on a rotating assembly because a $3,000 rotating assembly is overrated and TOTALLY not worth the money!

 

Nothing makes my day brighter than to read this type of stuff coming from an angry goofball who isn't picking up what is being clearly stated. Let me attempt to dumb down my replies so you can understand:
Can you not understand the above? Is it too difficult? If the car is only seeing street duty then there's no point of "beefing up" a 10-bolt. It's money that is just being thrown away.
What point is that? If people decide to spend their hard earned money on an improved component for their car they are dubbed, "fu<king catalog racers" by the godly you?
What I spend? LMAO... Try using that 10-bolt in a manual car on tire with an agressive clutch, mr. e-thug street warrior hero.
Nothing makes me happier to see those who boast how cheap their junk is yet end up on jackstands doing more maintanence than improvements.
What sig?
Do you like peanut butter or chocholate chip?
Let me guess... You're 12, right?

 

For the price to make a 10bolt strong just save a few more months and get a 12 bolts.U can get a diff over thats 200 hardened alxes thats 300 already at 500 now a new posi unit for a nother 300 and then the rebuild kit there a nother 200 bucs and then somone to build it then gears.1800 u can find a used 12 bolt or 9 inch.Most I would do is the diff cover so that was I could sell it when I get my 9inch or 12 bolt.I m not sayin that 10 bolts cant be made strong or anything bc there are 11 sec cars on 10 bolts but If u are going to change to 12 bolt anyway why put money into this rear that you dont have anyway.My plan was to use a stock rear and if it blows out get a nother one from the junk yard and not run sticky tires.And save up fast.That just how I feel I not sayin I know everything just what I was thinkin of doing.

 

Reads like the original poster really doesn't even play... at least not enough to justify the cost of upgrading a 10-bolt.

 

lol @ your simple-mindedness.

As I stated in my original post, as well as being pointed out by ONE observant person, I plan on going to a 12-bolt in the next few years. I know this is not a reliable substitute, but for now, this is what is the most financially feasible. I understand that this is YOUR OPINION, however, you didn't back up your opinion by ELABORATING on your reasoning for holding such an opinion. I can call you an a$$hole, because that's my opinion. Just calling you one wouldn't be very constructive to the thread, but if I simply explained why I felt this way, I'd be more productive in getting my message across. See my point?

As far as refraining from mentioning the wedding, who cares? That's not the point. I stated in the beginning that this wasn't a permanent solution, and besides, since my car is pretty much a "toy" and not a all-out dragster, I think your argument is quite ludicrous. You must understand, I'm 24 years old, still in college, and I work a low-wage, part-time job. This year I'll probably clear $15k. On top of this, I've gotta come up with $2500-$3000 for our wedding photographers, another $3000 on the reception, and we're not even having a honeymoon. We could go to Italy for 2 weeks for $2500...you think my fiancee would be happy if I came home with a 12-bolt and she realizes that we could have had an incredible honeymoon if I didn't just drop $2500 on this silly rear-end? I will be trying to get on with a local police department by the end of the year, so maybe once my income triples, I'll look into that 12-bolt, since by then $2500 will be a lot easier to come by.

Are you dense??? First, I'm not asking if you think it's a good idea. I asked you to rate how stout you think it may be with the aftermarket parts I have added to it. I KNOW it doesn't compare to a 12-bolt, but it's certainly better than a "stocker". I was wanting opinions on my combination of parts, as well as any other ideas on how I can ADD to the strength of my 10-bolt. I read somewhere about welding the housing ends better, but I'd like to hear more opinions/ideas. BTW, I've had the OE axles in there, OER crush sleeve, and so forth, and I considered myself to be somewhat hard on my rear, especially with my manual tranny. I've made a number of launches on my ET Streets without a single problem. How? I don't dump the clutch @ 4000+ rpm like some of you retards do. Instead, I feather the clutch @ 2500-3000 rpm (this is where my cam's powerband starts), until I "feel" it to be alright to let her go. Maybe when I'm certain I've got a strong 12-bolt underneath there, I'll be careless and dump the clutch hard with drag slicks. Until then, I'll stick with my 10-bolt. I've ran 400+hp on the same rear for years, and it wasn't nearly as "built" as it is now. Maybe for most of you 10-bolt "haters", you either screwed up the install yourself, or your gear installer wasn't as credible as they claimed themselves to be...