how much power can a stock 97 rear end can handle? Right now, I'm in the process of getting my engine rebuilt and I'm shooting for about 350 rwhp. Can a stock rear end handle that w/o breaking if I hit one time?

 

10 bolts aren't that strong. Add to that the fact that you have a 6spd and I wouldn't plan on it staying around for awhile. If you get any sort of sticky tires and you hook up you'll probably toast it. It's been done several times on even stock cars, making that kind of hp is just asking for trouble. On street tires you probably won't have to worry but that's only because you'll be spinning all the time. When the tires bite is when the rear dies. When you start modding it's just a guessing game, auto's are much easier on the rear than 6spds but you just never know when it might go. I'd save the cash for a 12 bolt before you start doing hard launches on tires. You'll need it.

 

I don't plan on running slicks or even DOT slicks. Pretty much gonna stick w/ street tires

 

Well the street tires will help you keep your rear in tact. Unfortunately you might as well give up on getting traction. It will probably be mostly nonexistent. If it were me, the point of me doing mods is so I can go faster, not so I can smoke my tires more, which is what you'll do. I'm not knocking you or anything, don't take me the wrong way. You just won't see much of an improvement because your traction is going to suffer so much. On the high end you will, but who takes their car to the top all the time anyway, it's mostly driven on the lower mph/rpm ranges. 12 bolt is definately a "must" for your next mod. After that strap some ET streets on that baby and hold on.