Hey hows it going? im not sure im in the correct forum but, now my brother and I are having a shootout next year my 3rd gen vs his 4th both are street/strip cars and I was wondering the rear suspension and rear end i should use , I have an 86 trans am , 388 9:5:1 stroker forged pistons and i beam race rods, eagle cast crank ,292h comp cams,(which may be my down fall) rpm airgap intake, 750 cfm, 215cc dart pro 1 heads , now sure what im going to have for engine hp and tq numbers, i had this motor done a few years and is ready to get in together sometime, I have a built 700r4 trans nonlock up with 3500stall, spohn tubular k member with tubular control arms , its there pro drag setup and i used 90/10 struts for the front, I have a spohn adj tubular torque arm and cross member with torque arm relocation built to it, now im on to the back and I was thinking of like a 4.11 gear but not sure what rear end i should use and best way to go to get optimal traction, now my brothers car is an 02 camaro, ls1 , agressive cam , ls6 intake, headers, tuned, 410 rwhp 395tq, 6 speed hurst, racing clutch, stock front suspension, tubular torque arm,panhard bar, lower control arms, 4.11 in moser 12 bolt with locker, his best run in the 1/4 was 12.2 at 119mph, im gunna dial in my car as best as possible when complete but just really want to show his 4th gen up , thanks guys (it may be an 1/8 mile race, depend on what track we decide on)

 

Lca relocation brackets are a must, and if you can afford to go to a 9", that would be best

 

ok, thank you, what about springs, i only have stock v8 ones in there, was gunna us a 50/50 shock, what do you have in your camaro? do u run a 4link setup?

 

My car is stock style suspension. I run stock springs in the back.

 

You're going to have to beat him with the complete package in the 1/4, that being power to weight and 60' are going to be a big deal for you.

A low 12 at 119, with driver mod and traction that could be a low 11 second car.

I could easily see your car running into the 11's as well. I would push for an 1/8 mile track as I think you could have an advantage in the 1/8.

 

kk, thank you for ur input, Im just trying to everything right so i can beat him, if i lose ill never hear the end of it lol, its been brotherly rivalry for years

 

I feel that it's a bit of an odd question considering the parts you've already have. That said, is the question "what will make me go fastest" or "what will get me there cheapest" or what will be the most reliable.

Sort of the king for race car rear ends is the ford 9", probably the most parts choices out there, but it's heavy and the pinion offset eats more power than some of the others. I'd probably go this way (and have, moser 9", detroit locker, 35spline axles...).

12 bolt should be close to as durable, but not as many parts, you can't change gear ratios as easily... but it will likely end up lighter and use less power, you'll go faster...

Cheapest- well whatever you get a good deal on used. If you're up to building stuff then start with a ford 8.8, it's actually almost identical to the 12 bolt but the ford version, more parts available for cheap. With the right choice of parts might end up marginally faster than the others. A 10 bolt truck rear would be similar (8.5" rear gear).

The S60 is stout, you won't break it, but it's heavy. Similar design to the 12bolt.

Gear ratio will depend on the combination, but at some point you're going to have to go with shalower gears if you start running some mph and don't go with a much taller tire. My $.02- run as tall a tire as you can fit, you won't have to run as wide a tire to get the traction and taller tires tend to work better overall if you run the right gear.

 

Lots of good sound advice above...

Id opt for the 9" myself just for how available parts are..they are pretty strong..do rob power but you will hook/not break the stock rear first time out.Get some lighter front wheels and good tire in the back ..I think 4.10 gear should match up fairly well for your combo .Car sounds like its on a good path for 11s for mods.Take some weight out as much as you can..rear seats,carpet etc.

Oh and a healthy stealth 100shot can really make babies cry. 1/8 mile as it sits might be a good race now imo..1/4 you need to spend more time dialing in to get a good launch out of the hole and hold him off.Let us know what you decide..and good luck on the build.