Gears & Axles - s60. who has it?

thinking about jumping on that s60 special.

who has it?
do you like it?
how streeetable is it?
how quite is it?
anyone have that new s trac?
anything i should steer clear of?
what options did you get?
whats its max holding potential?

I would like answers to these questions also.

thinking about jumping on that s60 special.

who has it?
do you like it?
how streeetable is it?
how quite is it?
anyone have that new s trac?
anything i should steer clear of?
what options did you get?
whats its max holding potential?

Hey basham, I dont have an s60 but I can answer some of these questions as the arent really particular to an s60 or are common knowledge. The s60 should be just as streetable, quiet and smooth as your 10 bolt. This is of course you go with a normal clutch type posi unit and gears that are suited to your car. So selecting the truetrac posi with some 4.10 gears should get you the same results and driving comfort of a 4.10 geared 10 bolt.

The s60 does weigh about 60lbs more than a 10bolt iirc however it is the strongest of any aftermarket rear end using a 9.75" ring gear so you should never have to worry bout it breaking with whatever you throw at it...

thinking about jumping on that s60 special.

who has it?
do you like it?
how streeetable is it?
how quite is it?
anyone have that new s trac?
anything i should steer clear of?
what options did you get?
whats its max holding potential?

S60 is a great bolt-in rearend and possibly the best for the cost. It comes standard with 35 spline axles and a helical gear type posi unit, that operates smooth and feels like stock. The S-trac is the Strange in-house version of the Truetrac, but has a better track record.

Quiet depends on the gearset... aftermarket gears are not the most consistent thing in the performance world and there is always a chance of some noise to be associated with a performance rearend, no matter what the brand or type. They all will normally make a bit of noise, it's just a matter of how much.

MWC is a direct dealer for Strange and has thew guaranteed best deal on a S60 rearend for your f-fody car. Do your shopping then giver us a call and you will most likely fine we can save you a few bucks.

yeah, ive heard some questionable thinkgs from moser. but havent heard anything bad about mwc or s60

I have about 700 miles on mine. It drives the same and feels very solid. I had relocation brackets welded on so that is probably where the feel comes from. I can hear it a little bit at highway speeds and I think that is from the axles and not the diff. The car seems to corner better. We weighed both and it was 55lbs more. I am very happy with it so far.

1500 miles on mine, quiet as can be (can't hear it at all), Clearance is great (I'm lowered and have the aluminum diff cover). Love the 4.10 gears and I have the Trutrac. Drives like stock on the street, but without the worries. I sent in my own backing plates to be installed before I got it. I also got the chrom moly driveshaft from Strange.

Mine also came with all the gear oil (lucas) and poly sway bar links.

what ratios do they offer?

also i have abs and want to retain it . Hows that work

I have a S60 in my camaro and love it I have stranges new tru track and it's holding just fine on mine very quiet also drive like stock.

I also have about 3000 miles on mine
Talk to Carl at CRP good guy that's who I got mine thru and a good guy to deal with

anytime someone asks about an s60, i tell them the same thing...and here it goes....

CALL CARL AT CENTRAL RACING PARTS.......316-299-8427...

he runs central racing by himself, and i believe his buisness line is his personal cell phone....so that says something.....bought my s60 from him and answered all questions....called him several times before i ordered and he was always cheerful and thanked me for the call, and eventually thanked me for my buisness......i bought my s60 from him......mine bolted in 100%, except for one thing....the bracket that the parking brake cable goes through, i need to cut it and make an L-shape out of it...no big deal.....

as far as 4 channel, any strange retailer is goona charge an extra 69-79 bucks for the reluctor wheels.

anytime someone asks about an s60, i tell them the same thing...and here it goes....

CALL CARL AT CENTRAL RACING PARTS.......316-299-8427...

he runs central racing by himself, and i believe his buisness line is his personal cell phone....so that says something.....bought my s60 from him and answered all questions....called him several times before i ordered and he was always cheerful and thanked me for the call, and eventually thanked me for my buisness......i bought my s60 from him......mine bolted in 100%, except for one thing....the bracket that the parking brake cable goes through, i need to cut it and make an L-shape out of it...no big deal.....

as far as 4 channel, any strange retailer is goona charge an extra 69-79 bucks for the reluctor wheels.

Also As far as 4 channel (98-02 cars), you just order it as a 4 channel and either send in your backing plates, or purchase them from strange. I saved my money and sent mine in, others may need the car as a D/D may not have that option.

Not knocking Carl or his business at all, but check around, it is worth your time. I got my best deal from Ron at Vengeance Racing. (Disclaimer-I got mine right before Carl became a sponsor in here)

I like what im hearing. Any pics?? :)

what ratios do they offer?

also i have abs and want to retain it . Hows that work


ratios for the S60 are 3.54, 3.73, 4.11, 4.56

abs (3ch) or traction control (4ch) equipped cars are retained no problem. The 3ch cars have a sensor hole and reluctor ring installed, the 4ch cars have adapters and machined axles to accept your factory reluctor rings or Strange offers new ones. Both types use your factory sensors.

If you have a 98-02 car Strange will install your backing plates for free, or they include new ones at no extra cost for the 93-97 type brakes.

Here is mine

Yes, the it is dirty/dusty from prepping the bottom of the car for POR15 that I just got done applying under the car.

Just to be clear--The spot you see on the top of the diff is from my arm rubbing it as I worked on the bottom side of the car, not from rubbing anything under the car because of clearance issues.


http://i49.tinypic.com/2u555dc.jpg

nice. i need to get under my car and clean it up a bit. im thinking some bed liner spray would do nice lol

wheres your exhaust?

wheres your exhaust?


I had pacesetter headers with custom 3" true duals with bullets dumped on the passenger side. I am in the process of replacing the headers with stainless TSP 1 7/8, going to the TSP stainless y-pipe with the 3" into 4" Flowmaster merge then running a single 4" exhaust out the back through a 4" Hooker Max Flow. Basically my own Mufflex type of system. With all the exhaust off, I thought it was a good time to clean everything up, drop the driveshaft and put on POR15 as a preventive measure.

I have the headers/y-pipe in. exhaust is getting fabbed this weekend.

Hopefully I will have my S60 next week!

Blu99T/A,

Looks nice. I am curious about the rear jack stands you have holding up your car. What are they?

Blu99T/A,

Looks nice. I am curious about the rear jack stands you have holding up your car. What are they?


Rear are Blue Point aluminum jack stands.

Fronts are Big 4 ton Truck/Suv that I had from when I had my 6" lifted Silverado.

how hard is it to install this rear end and is there any modifying that needed to be done?
do i need to change my drive shaft?
will me adjustable umi torque arm work with the rear end?
with my qa1 shocks and springs work?

how hard is it to install this rear end and is there any modifying that needed to be done?
do i need to change my drive shaft?
will me adjustable umi torque arm work with the rear end?
with my qa1 shocks and springs work?


Install is a direct bolt in
Yes you need a shorter driveshaft, I got mine directly from Strange.
torque arm should not be a problem
shocks/springs will work fine.

Ok thanks a lot man really appreciate The responce!!!

i have one.. drives like stock to me.. and i dont have to worry about breaking it.

Awesome help guys! I really appriciate it

who has it? I dealt with Carl at Central Racing Parts.
do you like it? Yes. No gear whine, and the thing is a beast.
how streeetable is it? I think it is very streetable. If you get a locker, that might be a different story though.
how quite is it? I do notice some road noise from it (most likely the tunnel mounted tq arm), and possible gear lash because it is set up loose, but no gear whine at all.
anyone have that new s trac? I'll have to look at my data sheet for that :emb:
anything i should steer clear of? Switching from drum brakes to discs brakes for a LT1 body vehicle......
what options did you get? Don't remember if the drain plug was an option or standard. I was cheap because I was tight on money, so I didn't get anything too fancy.
whats its max holding potential? Farrrr more than I plan on puttign to the ground in this decade.


You forgot something very important though.
What was customer service like? I am thoroughly impressed with Strange Engineering. I had some hiccups (one was my fault) during installation, and Carl @ CRP helped me out and gave me a lot of good info.
I just recently had some issues with the pinion seal and axle seal leaking, and Strange was very helpful in correcting the issue in a timely manner.

"I just recently had some issues with the pinion seal and axle seal leaking, and Strange was very helpful in correcting the issue in a timely manner."



What did THEY do to fix that?

"I just recently had some issues with the pinion seal and axle seal leaking, and Strange was very helpful in correcting the issue in a timely manner."



What did THEY do to fix that?

For the axle seal they said I could take it to a Vendor in town, or have it shipped back to them; my choice at no cost to me. I did the initial installation myself, so I'm not sure how they would have handled the situation if I had paid someone else to do it for me.

For the pinion seal, I was replacing my transmission last week, and wanted to replace the seal at the same time since I'd already have the drive shaft off. I told the rep at Strange about it the day before, and asked if I could have the pinion seal over-nighted to me. I expected to have to pay full cost for shipping, but he said they would work something out. However, I never found out what they would've worked out because I just decided to get the part# from him and pick it up in town.


I expected a bit of a run-around, especially since I purchased the S60 from a vendor, and not directly through Strange, but I was pleased with how they handled it.


To the OP: Whatever rear you decide on, get it powder coated or painted before you put it in, that way a part that no one sees will look nice and pretty ;)
http://i50.tinypic.com/21c5nuu.jpg

Thx good to know, looks good by the way

Just picked mine up today from MWC...not sure when I will be able to install it though...

I like what im hearing. Any pics?? :)

-Strange Engineering PRSF10
-35-spline Pro Race axles
-axles drilled & tapped for 1/2”x4.5”, 4.75” & 5/8”x4.75” studs
-35-spline lightweight spool
-1350 series pinion yoke
-4.10 ring and pinion
-2”x1/2” wheel studs
-BMR adjustable (3-hole) lower control arm brackets (welded)
-Strange Engineering 3" Chrome-moly driveshaft with transmission yoke and 1350 U-joints

Thank you Carl at Central Racing Parts (CRP). You ARE the man!

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3329-2.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3503-1.jpg

Spohn drag sway bar, lower control arms, chassis mounted torque arm & panhard bar rod. All rod-ends.

Thank you Steve at Hawks Camaro for price matching a killer deal & quick shipping.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3454-1.jpg

Cleaned & etched with POR-15’s Marine-Clean & Metal-Ready.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3346-1.jpg

Coated with POR-15.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3359-1.jpg

Out with the old 10-bolt.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3467-1.jpg

In with the new S60.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3479-1.jpg

S60 completed.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3516-1.jpg

Sphon drag sway bar & panhard bar rod.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3521-1.jpg

Spohn chassis mounted torque arm & lower control arms.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_3511-1.jpg

Notice the drag sway bar has offsets to clear the shocks like the BMR’s and UMI’s. I was planning on the “straight” style Spohn drag bar which others have been able to fit to the “stock” sway bar mounts. With this “new” style, I ended up having to cut off the “stock” sway bar mounts and used the Spohn mounts. There is plenty of clearance from the shocks though. If you plan to run a drag sway bar, remember to order a rear without the “stock” sway bar mounts as I did not.

After the Strange recommended ring and pinion break-in, I realized I would hate the rod-ended suspension in a predominantly street driven car. The rod-ended components have made the rear end sound like it is ready to literally fall out. If this was predominantly a street car, I would not be running rod ends. At slow speed turns, the spool actually accentuates the noise of the rod-ended components. Since this is predominantly a drag car, I look forward to “no binding performance” of the rod-ended components.

Since this install, I have added rear Strange DA coil overs.

ratios for the S60 are 3.54, 3.73, 4.11, 4.56


Mine is 4.30.

Al 95 Z28 S60, TH400.

Oh wow that looks great! Nice and clean set up Brian!!:hail:

ratios for the S60 are 3.54, 3.73, 4.11, 4.56

Mine is 4.30.

Al 95 Z28 S60, TH400.

... and mine is a 4.10.

Oh wow that looks great! Nice and clean set up Brian!!:hail:

Thanks smooveZ ... I am happy with how the setup turned out and have since installed coil overs.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Miscellaneous%20Posts/Dsc_4785.jpg

Everyone else pretty much summed it up. I am very happy with mine. Mine has a slight amount of noise but I expected that. Carl is the only one I ll deal with. He is very knowledgable about the s60 and is very helpful. He even checked back with me about a month after install to see if I had resolved a problem I was having. (bad tail shaft bushing). I feel good about addressing the weak link in my car before I started throwing more power at it and hoping the rear holds like most people do.

Brian, I went out and bought that same jack after seeing your post on your s60 install. It made it go a lot easier.

Brian, I went out and bought that same jack after seeing your post on your s60 install. It made it go a lot easier.

I am glad my pics helped ... it does make it an easy install. I plan to try it to drop my T-56 with it next year for a Tick rebuild providing it lasts that long ... so far so good though .... 80k and bone stock!

I had one in my 1999 SS head cam intake bolt on car and it was awesome. way better choice than a nine inch. My stenod built 25.5 car runs an s60 as well. no qualms with it at all.

Carl at Central Racing Parts in the man to buy your rear ends from. He is a stand up guy and would bend over backwards from anyone who purchases from him. From the beginning to the end of the process and everything in between

I had one in my 1999 SS head cam intake bolt on car and it was awesome. way better choice than a nine inch. My stenod built 25.5 car runs an s60 as well. no qualms with it at all.

Carl at Central Racing Parts in the man to buy your rear ends from. He is a stand up guy and would bend over backwards from anyone who purchases from him. From the beginning to the end of the process and everything in between.

X2 on the kind words about Carl ... I got my S60, CMDS and rear DA coil overs from him and he just sent me a set of front DA coil overs with smokin' deals on everything!

What is the break in procedure you followed?

What is the break in procedure you followed?

Since I went with Strange's "Pro Race" axles and their "Light Weight Race" spool, there was no break-in required, although, I did street drive it with no "power pulls" for 500 miles just because it made me feel better. Since then, I have about the same mileage, but with 25 or so 1/4- & 1/8-mile runs.

My buddy just installed an S60 in his '00 Camaro. Pretty sure his break in was normal easy street driving for 300-500 miles, no WOT, IIRC.

I plan on getting one for my car within the next 2 years....of course then my trans will be the weak link lol