ok i know its been kicked around slightly,but i have a 10 bolt ?...im torn between upgrading to a 12 bolt or a 9 inch rear vs a total build of the stock 10 bolt..i already know the pros and cons of all the builds,and i tend to be leaning towards keeping the stock rear for many reasons,,cost,weight,simplicity,....as ive states b4 im running a 421carbed engine,hopefully 500 gross hp,so i guess hopefully 400 at the wheels.its only a street car with and occasional trip to the track and a small 75-100 hp shot of nos..but never slicks,,btw auto trans...will a full out re build of the ten bolt handle this set up?????im talking the best axles,ring/pin,girdle,posi,braces...?????will it work?..

 

One good thing u have on your side is the fact that u have an automatic, they are not as hard on the rear ends. Also look into getting a T/A cover or equivelant, its stronger and puts pressure on the main caps and keeps them from flexing on the launch. If you dont ever run on sticky tires then u should be fine if u upgrade the stock components.

 

yes duff iw as planning on doing cover and all the tricks..c clips,etc..you think this rear could live on the street?

 

You won't save much money replacing everything in your stock rear end anyway.

Assume you can do the labor yourself, you are still left with this parts list.

1. axles ~$300
2. posi ~$500
3. cover ~150
4. R&P ~$175
5. C-clip eliminator ~$150
6. wheel studs ~$30
7. rebuild kit (bearings, etc. ~$100
8. misc. ~$50

So, it's about ~$1,500 in parts and a lot of work. The end product is still not nearly as strong as a 12-bolt and not a whole lot less expensive with a huge additional cost factor. If, by chance, you can't do the rebuild yourself then it would be every bit as expensive as a new 12-bolt. I wouldn't even consider a 9" for a street car.

Rich

 

krause i see your point,my figures put the cost at around 1400 from summits catalog using the auburn posi also.but what im really wondering is if the 10 bolt built would be strong enough for me..i clearly know that a 9 or 12 bolter is stronger enough,but if i dont need all that strength why should i bother,for the 700 less i can save i can get a full port job done on my trick flow heads..and then i dont have to worry about pinion angles,sway bar mounts,brake line mounts,extra weight,extra horse power loss..i mean i have the rear now,can i use it?or should i go elsewhere...but keep in mind i know it aint no where as strong as a 12 bolt but is it strong enough,thats all i wanna know

 

Im running low 10's and 1.6 60fts on my stock 10 bolt so far so good! :knock on wood:

 

I've been running over 400rwhp for 10 years and only wore out a limited slip...If you go with Auburn make sure its their PRO series...not the standard one. With an A4 on street tires you should be ok...I'm still using stock axles, GM 3.42s and a Pro Auburn...just added a Summit cover this year, mainly for the ease of gear oil changes...

I run BFG DRs year round, do 1.60-1.70 60's, and change the lube every year with the GM additive...so far so good...

--Alan