I hear that the stock rear ends in Camaros are weak??? Is there any truth to this? I own a 2000 Camaro SS. It has the 10 bolt rear end. I dont have many upgrades. I am getting a hooker cat back exhaust, k&n intake, and tb. Should i have any fears with stepping on it? I also was told that there is a 12 bolt rear end as a bolt on replacement. Is there???

 

The stock rear end is "adequate" for the stock engine, and a decent number of bolt-on HP upgrades. As you add HP, the life expectancy of the rear axle assembly goes down. If your car has an auto tranny, and with street tires, it shouldn't be a problem. With an M6, sticky tires and some big RPM clutch dumps, it isn't likely to last long at all. Based on your description, you shouldn't have a problem with the bolts-ons. Its sort of a crap shoot - some people manage to grenade the stock 10-bolt rear with stockish engines, others have taken the 10-bolt into the 10's.

The big problem with the 10-bolt is the tiny, weak 7.625" diameter ring gear. Can't stand up to big torque. The alternative is a rear axle assembly with a larger diameter ring gear, including:

GM 12-bolt: 8.875"
Ford 9-inch: 9.000"
Dana 60: 9.750"

All of those are available with the torque arm connection required to bolt the into a 3rd or 4th Gen F-Body. Typical cost will be $2,200 - $2,800.