Gears & Axles Driveshafts | Rearends | Differentials | Gears | 12 Bolt | 9 Inch | Dana

How strong are stock 9" center sections?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-22-2010, 10:52 PM
  #1  
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Blownz28man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: OK,Elk City
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default How strong are stock 9" center sections?

Im just seeing if I really need to spend $1200 on a name brand center section or can I get away with a stock junkyard third member? I shouldnt be running any fast then 10.50's through an auto car. I know the pinion supports can break causing problems. But honestly.. What can I expect? Thanks
Old 02-23-2010, 04:35 AM
  #2  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (88)
 
the_merv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The Beach...
Posts: 19,260
Received 59 Likes on 52 Posts

Default

Look for a Nodular Iron one..don't get the crap cast one. I have a NI one that I will be selling soon, don't have a use for it.
Old 02-23-2010, 06:32 AM
  #3  
EPP
FormerVendor
iTrader: (22)
 
EPP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 13,063
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by the_merv
Look for a Nodular Iron one..don't get the crap cast one. I have a NI one that I will be selling soon, don't have a use for it.
I agree, look for one that has an "N" cast on it. Bob
Old 02-23-2010, 09:28 AM
  #4  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (19)
 
bumpin_records's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: chicago
Posts: 802
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

take a look at this thread https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axl...r-section.html

also whats the deal on the aluminum center sections? are they any good over nodular
Old 02-23-2010, 09:57 AM
  #5  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Wesmanw02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by the_merv
Look for a Nodular Iron one..don't get the crap cast one. I have a NI one that I will be selling soon, don't have a use for it.
Just curious, how much are you selling it for and what gears does it have??
Old 02-23-2010, 10:29 PM
  #6  
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Blownz28man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: OK,Elk City
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ok thanks guys! That helped a lot! I was talking to the ford guys at work they said stock is plenty strong..lol. Maybe for ford? haha
Old 02-24-2010, 01:08 AM
  #7  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Zmg00camaross's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Missouri
Posts: 5,046
Received 47 Likes on 41 Posts

Default

If you found a N case and upgraded to a daytona pinion support it would hold up fine.
Old 02-24-2010, 08:44 AM
  #8  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
02CamaroSSLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by the_merv
Look for a Nodular Iron one..don't get the crap cast one. I have a NI one that I will be selling soon, don't have a use for it.
whenever you decide to sell shoot me a pm on how much you want, i am going to be pieceing together a 9" soon hopefully!
Old 02-24-2010, 11:11 AM
  #9  
12 Second Club
iTrader: (49)
 
bww3588's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Posts: 8,139
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Zmg00camaross
If you found a N case and upgraded to a daytona pinion support it would hold up fine.
the daytona pinion support doesnt really help with strength. all it is is a larger bearing that is made to be used at constant high speeds....hence the name daytona....
Old 02-28-2010, 04:09 PM
  #10  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Zmg00camaross's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Missouri
Posts: 5,046
Received 47 Likes on 41 Posts

Default

Hence Stronger and doesnt deflect as much under hard loads.
Old 02-28-2010, 08:03 PM
  #11  
12 Second Club
iTrader: (49)
 
bww3588's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Posts: 8,139
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Zmg00camaross
Hence Stronger and doesnt deflect as much under hard loads.
if you think 1/2 inch of bearing surface adds strength your on drugs. its larger for sustained high speeds so the bearing doesnt overheat and seize up.
Old 02-28-2010, 08:37 PM
  #12  
Launching!
 
tom falco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by bww3588
if you think 1/2 inch of bearing surface adds strength your on drugs. its larger for sustained high speeds so the bearing doesnt overheat and seize up.
Correct and it has more bearings to spread the load better. I have found that it really does not make any difference to an extent. Very very slightly weaker but much better for sustained Speeds. I run an aluminun third member in my camaro and so far so good. Remember the thicker the bearing boss the stronger to a certain extent the larger the bearings the better load capacity they can handle. But less support material makes it slightly weaker. Its the impact and the spreading that effects the carrier. Bigger bearing does not automatically mean stronger if it neads a bigger hole in its support. Tough call. Double edge Sword .
Old 02-28-2010, 11:36 PM
  #13  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Zmg00camaross's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Missouri
Posts: 5,046
Received 47 Likes on 41 Posts

Default

Will just leave it at that, many theorys i guess.
Old 03-01-2010, 01:13 AM
  #14  
FormerVendor
iTrader: (6)
 
AES Racing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Elk Grove Village IL
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Have always recommended Iron center section for fbody thats street driven.

Aluminum is good for racing or under 3000lbs, otherwise I find they get gear whine when driven on the street.
Old 03-04-2010, 01:51 AM
  #15  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (26)
 
Wicked94Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

i wouldn't suggest an aluminum non through bolt case in anything over 3000 pounds or anything with a manual trans. I went with a nodular center from moser, i think with gears and spool it was around 13xx bucks.
Old 03-04-2010, 05:20 AM
  #16  
Launching!
iTrader: (13)
 
505OUTLAWZWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Greenwood, LA
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Strange S case is a good nodular case for the track and strip. I just put one together for a little less than 800 with all new parts
Old 03-04-2010, 08:26 AM
  #17  
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (26)
 
ssvert99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 3,490
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

the car in my sig pic is on the lightweight aluminum Strange case, and the same center section has been in my Procharger car as well. this rearend has many, many street miles on it and has held up just fine under 3 seasons of racing as well. we do not suggest them for daily driver use, but they are just fine for the average street/strip cars. there is a basic point of where we suggest the thru-bolt cases that are on the market from different manufacturers, but it all depends on your setup. the Strange lightweight aluminum case is actually stronger(by design) than any of the stock ford iron cases, even the "N" case.

as far as the pinion support, the larger bearings do support more load, and will run cooler under stress. the biggest issue is the actual design of the pinion support itself. there is a lot of stress in the 9 inch case in the front half of the center section and a good pinion support is essential to strength and wear. if the smaller "daytona" bearing is just as strong as a larger one, then why doesn't Pro Stock or Top Sportsman cars use them? the daytona setup is usually plenty strong for the average f-body car, but for the cost difference between a good daytona support and the next one up(which the rear bearing is about 3x the size) is only about 30.00. the daytona support we use with our 9 inch package is an aluminum forged unit, is very lightweight, and stronger than any of the oem designed ones.
Old 03-04-2010, 08:42 AM
  #18  
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Blownz28man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: OK,Elk City
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well thanks for all the good info! Kinda strange (no pun intended) how the aluminum case's act? I've read that noise may develope and not for DD's. So i'm pretty sure a nodular case is what I need. I can save on weight somewhere else. Now all I got to do is think about a torque arm. Its got all the brackets. But i'm kinda thinking about a mini 4 link. with a HD torque arm package being over $500 I really can't justify that. Maybe i'll make a post in the suspension section
Old 03-04-2010, 08:56 AM
  #19  
12 Second Club
iTrader: (49)
 
bww3588's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Posts: 8,139
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

i was just talking about the "daytona" support and bearing itself. the daytona is just a larger width not diameter. the larger 3.026 rear bearing cases are stronger, but a standard 2.081(i think) with the daytona suporrt is no stronger than the same case with the standard bearing and support. at least not for drag racing with extreme shock loads.



Quick Reply: How strong are stock 9" center sections?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:15 PM.