I've got a 1995 TA, full LT4 set-up with stage 2 heads blablabla. Dynoed it at Speed INC at about 387 RWHP on a 100+ degree day. Anyway I'm still running the stock rear-end although I've upgraded the gears and diff and run a TA rear cover. I've been looking at prices for 12-bolts (both strange and Moser) and I'm not prepared to spend the $2K for one quite yet (looking for a used one). What usually goes first on these rear-ends (stock 10 bolt)? Axels? Can I just upgrade the axles or is it hopeless and I should accept that I have to spend the $2K to get the rearend it needs??

 

It's usually the ring & pinion that break on a hard launch. So if you are good at gear changes, then you could stick with the 10 bolt otherwise start saving.

 

If you have stock gears usually the driver side axle will break. But when you get into the 4.10s and such the teeth on the ring gear get really thin and those tend to break first.

(A buddy of mine broke his 10 bolt a week ago on dragradials. He did his burnout and when he "dry-hopped" it, the driver side axle broke clean, right behind the splines. )

 

Upgraded the Diff and using GM gears. So basicly you guys are saying the whole rear-end has no hope and that I should just bite it and buy the 12-bolt. Thats what I thought. Anyone got any ideas who sells the cheapest? Speedinc?

 

Raging Motorsports (www.ragingmotorsports.com) has a pretty good price on the Mosers. I like Moser because of all the options they have, and there is less fabrication to get them on your car.
(The strange axle hubs are bigger so you would need to grind out the inside of your wheels)