Just curious as to whether anyone has any information on whether, with the introduction of the GTO (featuring a B&W 9 bolt rear), nine bolt carriers and gears will perhaps become more affordable with the increase in demand? Perhaps a real market of some kind could develop over the next 5 years or so for 9 bolts, driving down prices, and broadening availability? I have a 2.77 PBR rear waiting for carrier and gears sometime in the next five years, and I'm certainly hoping that this will be the case!

Any and all information/leads on increased 9-bolt production is greatly appreciated!

I don't know about that. The new GTO has independent rear suspension, so even if Holden uses a 9 bolt in it, would the carrier and such be interchangable with the solid rear axles of the 3rd gens? I don't know much about IRS really, so maybe that's a dumb question, but I would have my doubts that the rears would have interchangable parts. Where did you hear about the GTO having a 9 bolt anyway? It is definitely an interesting question that you raise, that's for sure!

-Paul

The new goat has a Dana rear. Hopefully it is a 44. If not, it is a 36.

Are you sure about that? You're probably right, but I was under the impression that it was using the same differential as the Holden Monero...? I've been surprised at how tough it is to find tech info. on new vehicles like the GTO!

According to the info I found here: http://www.pontiac.com/gto/index.jsp?version=html

Click on Tremec T-56 optional transmission and it tells you that it's Dana rear.

Fair enough, that's cleared up, and thanks for the link. Too bad for me, I guess Ahhhhh, back to ebay

No problem, and good luck with the never ending search for the elusive 9-bolt parts. I was in the same boat until I got a shot at a Dana 44. Dana parts are in the same price range as 10-bolt and just as available. Plus, it's strong. (so far)

Yeah I was wonderin from the pictures I had seen it could have been either but this leave little doubt "Dana axle with a 3.46:1 limited-slip differential". If I had to guess I would say Dana 36 (like all the C4 vettes except the ZR-1)

Ok but Dana know owns spicer who bought out borg warner so who knows what it really is.

only some of BW was boght by spicer. the majority was purchased by Tremec who moved the productions south of the border under the banner of the new company TTC. Thats about the same time T-56's quit holding up to abuse.

I think the part of BW that matters in this case, is like you said owned by spicer, so the mystery continues...

The Borg Warner rear ends in our 3rd gen vehicles were made in Australia - So I've heard. If true would the BW unit we're talking about be located in Australia and not yet sold off. Conjecture...

The Borg Warner rear ends in our 3rd gen vehicles were made in Australia - So I've heard. If true would the BW unit we're talking about be located in Australia and not yet sold off. Conjecture...

The new GTO has an IRS version of the 9 bolt and none of the internal parts are interchangeable with the third gen style 9 bolt. I was in Sydney last spring making some deals for GTO stuff. It's no help for third gen's, sorry, but true

Miles

I don't know what IRS is. Are you saying that the GTO 9 bolt will be made in Australia?

IRS= Independent Rear Suspension

I don't know if I would even concider the gto rear as even being on the same level as a 9bolt. the whole inside is differant. it has a very small ring and pinion (5.5"?) and uses a drum packed with clutches. If I get a chance I will take some pictures to answer this .

9 bolt posi is on the left, gto is on the right

I got my 9-bolt shortly after this thread. Bought it from a poor soul who feel asleep at the wheel of his 3rd gen and all he could recover was the engine and the rear axle!

same as above but, shows the gto case in the upper right

picture...

that is a interesting stand you have mounted to the shock mounts? is it bolted to the saw hourses? for assembely?

That is a huge case!

Oh yeah, I made a jig to hold the axle up while I cleaned it up and rebuilt the brakes etc. I did not take the cover off. The seller said it had been rebuilt recently with posi 3.73 gears. Seals seemed ok so I left it alone. After several months of daily driving the axle is working great!

The stand is a piece of 3/4" plywood 2'x4'. The stand is 2" channel welded at a 80 deg angle or so and does bolt to the shock mounts. It just sat on the saw horses. It made it easy to slide the whole assembly over to the car for installation. See picture: