i have three rearends to choose from, all discs, and will likely sell the other 2 for upgrade money for the keeper. here goes.
1. my current 9 bolt 3.27, seems like it has an intermittent posi. i got this about a year ago, and it has about 90k on it.
28 spline axles
2. a torn down 10 bolt, no gears, eaton locker.
26 spline axles
3. a rebuilt (less than 2k miles ago) 10 bolt with an AUBURN PRO, 3.73 RICHMOND GEARS. this one leaks really bad from the pinion seal so that will at least be changed. 26 spline axles

I also have a brand new Ratech rebuild kit for a 10 bolt.

So there it is, i have a mess of parts and a decent idea of what i want in the end , but no idea which way to go..............

I want no more than a 3.42 ratio, I like the 3.27's as i have heard it uses the torque of the TPI best. I want a reliable no breakin' rearend for a low 13's high 12's car. I want it all!!!

So what do you guys/gals think????????

 

I know what I'd do

Miles

 

If I were you, I'd get away from the 9-bolt (sorry, Miles). Parts are hard to find and this situation is not likely to improve.

My 9-bolt posi is tired as well. If it wouldn't boot me out of a Solo II stock class, I'd change over to a 10-bolt and have a rear end that I could get parts for from multiple sources. Unfortunately, I can't afford to move up to a Prepared class so I am stuck... I just need to make sure I'm going to have a job before I start buying replacement parts...

 

LET ME GUESS, sell anything having to do with a 10 bolt , and buy your new posi????
so i should what? combine all the 10 bolt stuff? if so what posi?, what gear ratio?

 

Please don't confuse "hard to find" with relatively expensive or something.

Hard to find? No, because I offer them (new posi carriers, gear ratios to 4.10 and some other new stuff on the way).

More expensive than a 10 bolt. Of course, it's called economics (low volume = high cost to manufacture & low profit). That's why nobody sells the stuff. But less than 1/2 the cost of a 9 inch or 12 bolt.

It all depends on what you need for strength and what you want to spend. Personally I would like a 9 inch because I could easily swap center sections for going to the track, but I won't spend $2200+ (+another center section & spool) for it when the 9 bolt works just fine. Sure it's not bullet proof like a 9 inch, but it's not in pieces like several 10 bolts would be by now

Miles

 

Miles - I agree that 9-bolt parts are readily available from you and they are good rear ends. I plan to purchase from you when I am ready.

The reason for the above statement is that I called at least 11 shops around the US looking for 9-bolt parts and most of them said the same thing - dump the 9-bolt so that you have more options for replacement parts.

What happens if you get hit by a bus?

 

you guys in usa amaze me ..you buy the hi performance options on everything ..then because parts guys are TO LAZY to carry parts for the hi po diff ...you all install crappy 10 bolt rear ends
9 bolt rear ends are common IN AUS .....and with au $$$ being like the peso parts are cheap STOP LISTENING to rear end guys who are lazy and stay with the STRONGER aussie 9 bolt ...keep the car ALL hi performance borg warner STILL MAKES these gears ..
would you put up with parts guy who tries to tell you tpi is crap ...put a 1972 carter carb on your car ??????? of course not

 

IF ..and its not gunna happen ...brenda will still be around ...if not then i am still here .....parts are and allways will be available for these rear ends ...i have a great supplier of these parts who is also excellent at tech stuff (wish he knew how to use the net though ) ...and NO i am not making $$ out of this ...have recieved much good advice from you guys in usa ...this one is payback for that advice ..take it ..the 9 bolt is way better than 10 bolt
btw ask aussie rear end guy about 10 bolt ...they will tell you they are weak ...parts are hard to get BUT can get them for you at a cost .....and in aus we dont have the option of changing from 10 bolt to 9 bolt coz you cant get hold of 9 bolt housings for an f body in aus so many people in aus are stuck with crappy 10 bolt rear !!!!!

 

G'day, mate! Let me just say that anyone in the USA who has done his homework knows better... I mentioned elsewhere that there are 7.5-inch, 8.2-inch, and 8.5-inch 10-bolt rears. If you buy from a junkyard, expect junk. If you want to replace your 9-bolt (which is stronger than a 7.5-inch) with a 10-bolt, we would offer an 8.5-inch 10-bolt rear. Does the average American want to pay shipping from Australia and wait for it? Are they confident enough to buy overseas?

Before anyone accuses me of insulting our Aussie friend or any 9-bolt owner, I just want to remind you that we've been in business since 1973, and over half of our business involves Camaros and Firebirds (and Chevy trucks). We have plenty of business and need not sell what people do not want. Some aftermarket gear options are available for the 9-bolt, with a high price tag. If you upgrade in your car, it pays to upgrade the rear.

One thing, mate - If you see us in action, you would never accuse US of being lazy...

For more information, you may contact me at houser@rearman.com .

 

The rearend man and his WFTE girl are full of it. Do not do business with them. All talk and no real info.

 

Excuse me, but the forum moderator has not defined rules for me here. I am NOT the mechanic, either. I am an enthusiast who happens to be employed by a master mechanic. If you want expert advice, I ask people to send a request. Art does not touch a computer, since he is busy doing the job.

If you want to be rude and insult me, fine. You need not insult Art. If I were the moderator of this site, I would throw YOU off. Since I am not, I will not waste my time here. Slander him and I will sue you.

To anyone who is interested, please contact us directly. Best wishes. The moderator is welcome to email me at houser@rearman.com .

 

just to address these to comments yvonne ..
need not sell what people dont want ??????????? strange comment ...many people have posted that rear end shops in usa say throw them away as they are junk ..parts are to expensive etcetcetc ..is that not lieing to customer ???
all it comes back to is the fact that no one wants to research the availability of parts for these rear ends ...some rear end guys in usa need to do this ..import/export businesses thrive
to my mind that IS lazy

 

I do not speak on behalf of the shops you obviously hate. I speak on behalf of ours. We import and export to Australia. Shipping is cost prohibitive to many of our customers. You and I can tell people to buy from Australia, but when they see the price tag, they flip out. The customer has the choice. We buy and sell 9-bolts.

Instead of hurling accusations, why don't you guys help each other find resources? I have lots of them and tell people to contact me directly, so I can address the thousands of requests we process daily. If you do not like the answer you get from a shop, look elsewhere. Perhaps some of them would be more productive to you if you did not approach them with a chip on your shoulder. We are supposed to be interested in the same goal. Our customers are happy, and I can hold my head high when I see them racing or at other events. Be cautious, shop around, but don't lose options by assuming the worst.

Better luck to all with their efforts.

 

HMMMMMMMMMMM. so BACK to my query................
what is the best way to "gain" a sturdy rear. PLEASE SEE INITIAL POST.
I want this to take me well into the 13's, and maybe mid/high 12's. I do tend to lean toward the 9 bolt!!! I would only need to get rid of my 10 bolts to finance the rebuild kit, rearcover(SPOHN), And new posi.
Please let us get back on track here. If i need to start this thread again i will . So play nice and help me out... THE SHAGGY IROC.

 

ShaggyIROC, please email your request to houser@rearman.com and include a phone number. No obligation. I don't think I'll bother trying to help on this forum, since some people rather be argumentative than helpful. Best wishes to all here, and all (well, maybe almost all) are welcome to seek help from us.

 

irocnroll89 -

You may have your answer regarding the strength of the 9-bolt. Miles' singature states:

12.18 @ 113 (1/4 mile) 10/99

If this was done with a 9-bolt in the car, and it did not break, then the 9-bolt will be strong enough for your needs.

 

i just finished swapping a new motor in my 89 gta.i currently have the 9 bolt rearend in my car.My motor has a big cam in it so i was looking at the 9" or 12 bolt that was available,not knowing that there were options for my rearend.it`s a good thing i looked at that 427 camaro`s web site.THE 4.11 will do but i was hoping for a 4.33 or maybe 4.56 oh well.can`t wail to get started on it this summer.
dave