I have a 91 rs. I was wondering with different gears can a 3rd gen rear end be made to handle 500+ hp or do I need to go with an aftermarket. Don't really want to spend 2500 if mine can be made to work with different gears or axles, etc.

 

By the time you've spent enough money to make the 10 bolt stronger, you're not far off from just buying an aftermarket diff. No matter how much you try to make the 10 bolt stronger, the tiny ring and pinion teeth will still be the weakest part of the diff.

You can pick up a basic 9" bolt in diff package for around $1000. It includes the direct bolt in housing and axles. You supply the brakes and the center section which you could pick up from any junk yard for not much money and use it until you're ready to upgrade the internals to something better such as posi, gear ratio etc. Order the housing package with 31 spline axles and find a junk yard center for 31 spline axles.

The 10 bolt is a coin toss. Low powered street cars have broken them on the street and they've survived abusive dragstrip action without breaking. Use what you currently have until it breaks then decide if it's worth rebuilding or upgrading to something better. How long it survives depends mostly on your driving style.

 

^nuff said haha