Hey guys a few quick questions. Here's my deal, I'm dropping in a 412 small block into my Camaro this spring. It should be putting out 440ft/lbs (prolly a little high). At first, I was going to leave my stock T5 (not WC) and stock 3.23 posi 10 bolt in the car. I'm in college and have about 0 dollars to spend on my car. But after doing some thinking, I decided there is no way I'll be able to NOT beat on this thing once it gets in. So, I've decided, I'm gonna spend some money (which I shouldn't be ). I'm gonna go with a T56, and my question now is, what about my rear end. I DONT have enough money for a 1k dollar rear end.

Should I find a 9 bolt or beef up my 10 bolt? How strong are the 9 bolts? What would I buy to beef up my 10 bolt? I'd also like to have some money to buy some gears (4.11 or something). The car wont be going to the track this summer.

 

There's a good tech article on this site about beefing up the 10 bolt rear. A 9 bolt is somewhat stronger than the 10 bolt, but it's ridiculous to try to find parts for. The only aftermarket gearset I've seen for the 9 bolt is 3.70's, and the posi's in them are notorious for burning out, and they're almost impossible to find new. You're probably better off strengthening up the 10 bolt, but one or two passes at the track with good slicks on the car, and you can probably kiss it goodbye. If you're going drag racing, the expensive moser 12 bolt is about the only sensible choice. As long as you don't run slicks, you'd probably be allright with the beefed up 10 bolt for quite a while.

 

I have a 12 bolt in a 1972 Chevy 3/4 ton truck. Should I attempt to modify it and use that? People on here have told me no. But from what I understand the 12 bolt is good stuff, or atleast has alot of potential? Because the ring gear is larger right?

 

The truck 12-bolt IS NOT the 12-bolt everybody wants. Quite bit different in fact. It's junk compared to a car one.

For $1000, you're not going to be able to replace your rear with anything that will be worth the trouble. However, for $1000, you can easily do everything there is to do to your stock one.

That would be, weld the tubes; add LCA reloc brackets; put in the gear of your choice, and the posi carrier of your choice; use a solid pinion bearing spacer, instead of a crush sleeve; replace the axles with high-quality aftermarket ones, such as Superior part # EV10-4; and add a girdle type cover with bearing cap supports.

 

Ok, it's settled then, beef up the 10bolt. Thanks guys. It does sound like going this route will be best for my application: No slicks and no track time.

 

If you go with sofakingdom's suggestions, you should have that ten bolt about as stout as you can make one.