What is the most cost effective way to beef up an LS1 rear end? Is the stock 7.6 just such junk that its totally useless and a 12bolt is required?

 

Don't sink a dime into that rearend. Before you grenade it, get a Moser or Strange rear. I am in the process of installing the Moser 12-bolt and it looks great! The word is the 10-bolt will break eventually no matter what you do to it. You will believe it when you see the comparison between the stocker and an aftermarket rear. Too bad GM didn't fit these cars with stronger rears to begin with. What were they thinking? Ya profit I know.

 

well, if your not runnin 10# of boost or slicks yours might be ok for awhile

You can buy a girdle to help keep everything in alignment. Basically what he said was true though, no 10 bolt is going to come close to a 12blt or a 9" and you'd spend more money and time in the long run messin around with your 10 bolt.

-brent

 

I'm not going to say the stock 10 bolt is anywhere as strong as a 12 bolt but it can be made stronger and take some abuse if setup right. I've made around 40 passes on my 10 bolt with zero problems so far, all those runs with drag radials and 300rwhp or more. I have 4:10 gears, TA style support cover with preload studs, main bearing stud kit, and used a solid pinion spacer. I wouldn't bother with strengthening the axles, if anythings going to go it's usually the gears from what I hear. It's been holding fine for me so far and I've got an M6 . I'm not saying it's the best investment you can make but if you don't have the $2k+ to shell out for a 12 bolt the 10 can be made stronger.

 

Those guys want like $2500+ for a dang rear end!!! What about using an old skool 12-bolt or 9" instead of a custom housing and have the brackets welded?

 

I bought the Moser 12 bolt because it retains the 3 channel abs unit, the ford 9-inch does not.
You are paying for a brand new nodular iron housing, high strength axles, eaton posi, gears, brackets, etc. ...you can't find this stuff in junkyards, no way jose
It does seem like a lot of money, but it is worth it IMO

 

I just went to a 9 inch Ford. Bolt in axles, no C-clip crap, front loader, easy gear swaps, and one huge *** ring. Love it, plus WAY more gear options on the Ford side of things. I even took the old open 3.31 carrier I had in a old van and it is my street gear. Great for running around town. When I want to go race, I take 45 minutes and swap out the center chunk and TaaDaa...a 3.70 with a spool. Love it.

Q