Anybody else see that strange is offering there dana 60 rear for 82-02 f-bodys now? They say that it is far superior to the 12-bolt(duh), but how does it compare to the nine inch? What about power lose, if it is lower than the nine inch it would probably be a great deal. Its priced at 2300 i think...sound good?

Just thought i would see if anybody else has any thoughts on this rear. Kinda nice to have another option for our cars i think.

 

The ring gear is huge in the Dana 60, so I'd imagine that the strength is up there with the 9". I recall Injuneer posting (a while back) a comparison of the 12-bolt, Dana 60, and 9". The Dana 60 appeared to be the most efficient.

 

The published numbers for the rear axle assemblies:

Gear losses:
-Dana 60 = 5%
-GM 12-bolt = 7%
-Ford 9" = 10%

Ring gear/pinion shaft diameter:
-Dana 60 = 9.75"/1.626"
-Ford 9" = 9.00"/1.313"
-GM 12-bolt = 8.875"/1.625"

 

Wow looks like ill save for the s60 over the other ones...5% loss thats right there with a 10-bolt. Thanks guys.

 

I have also heard that they weigh more then all the above as well but I don't have hard numbers, but this could be a concern too depending on you application.

 

I have heard an extra 30-50 lbs. Well worth it IMHO. I'm gettin the dana 60 when my 10 bolt dies. No problems like the 12 bolt and You don't need to destroy/devalue your car by ripping out the abs like a 9".

 

Anybody get one of these yet? Who's selling them? Haven't seen 'em listed in any of the bigger online speed shops yet (Thunder, Tbyrne, Summit, etc.)...

 

I called Summit and found out that even though they don't have them listed in their catalog they can get them.

Or you can get them directly from Strange--but strangely it will cost you more for shipping if you do that.

 

Very punny!

 

holly crap! *subscribe* I will be watching this very VERY close!
I need to buy a new rear soon. What kind of gears are available for this setup? Does it keep abs? will I be able to use the stock driveshaft?

 

The Strange advertisements (its not in the catalog or on their website yet) indicates they have ABS provisions, both 3-channel and 4-channel.

There's a guy on fbody.com LT1 board that has one.

Catalog gearsets for the Dana are 3.54, 3.73, 4.10, 4.30, 4.56, 4.88, 5.13

Strange catalog also indicates "Only 20-25# heavier than the 12-bolt" (generic, not F-Body specific).

I'm not sure anyone has documented that the GM 10-bolt only has 5% loss. The geometry of the pinion shaft centerline relative to the centerline of the axles has the largest influence on efficiency and the geometry of the 10-bolt is similar to the geometry of the 12-bolt. Its the higher pinion shaft centerline that gives the Dana the low loss, and the lower pinion shaft centerline that gives the 9-inch its high loss.

 

I fail to see how the bigger, beefier ring set can have LESS loss. If that was the case, why wouldn't everyone buy the dana 60 over 12 bolts? Just trying to learn as I go!

 

Hey Cody, I think it has to do with where the pinion gear engages the ring gear...The position of the 9" pinion gear in relation to the ring gear results in more power to turn the gear...

--Alan

 

yeah, making the 9 inch less efficent. So, the Dana must be damn good to only be at that power loss level. Both guys I work with who race NHRA are running dana 60's. That tells me all I need to know. For a bullet proof rear for street or strip, go with the dana 60!

 

I have a S-60 sitting in my house as I type this, one of these day when I find some time I'm going to get the damn thing installed!

The drive shaft needs to be about 1-1/2" shorter than stock, strange sells a nice chrome-moly unit thats the proper length for 4th-gens. Depending on the type of cover you choose for the S-60, you might have a problem with the rear sway bar, there are relocation brackets to fix this problem. It has quite a bit..... Ahh heck, just go to this link. All you need to know is in there.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461100


A group purchase has already been done, I got mine for less than $2000.

3.73 Gears
35-spline
Tru-Trac Diff
3-Channel
Powder-coated black support cover

Just add gearoil and bolt up... well not quite, but close.

Not a bad deal!!!