I'd use this as a reason to put the 5/8 stud in the rear. You're at the point that they're a good idea IMO.

 

This is good advice. There was a guy local to me that sheared off his 12mm studs a little while ago. It happened on the street with some spirited driving. He wasn't racing or even on a track. The car is totaled and it hurt him pretty good too. I believe he was running times similar to the op except with a turbo. It is a bit more money and time, but safety isn't something to skimp on. Just my opinion. At the very least, check your studs periodically or make sure you've got some good new arp's or something.

 

Come on!!!! If I can run 10.0's with a stock 10-bolt I can sure as hell run some 9.0's with a 1/2" stud right?

That's definately in the works... Over the winter I'm going to get rid of the junk axles I have in the 9" and throw in a set of nice strange axles with 5/8 studs (even considering gun drilling and star flanging). The car won't go "much" faster this year (it MIGHT break into the mid 9's), and I know I'm on the edge, but I'm farily comfortable with them since I nut and bolt everything so frequently.

 

I'm going to have DMH build me a chromoly housing when he has the car, and really go all out on the LW stuff, expensive, but the weight reduction will be good.

 

Dustin will do you good!!! He's local to me and I've been really impressed with his fab work... I'm sure you've seen vids of his car?

 

Absolutely. I've talked to him several times, and he's got the photo's of what I want to do, and I'm sure that after seeing what he's done with his own car, mine will be a walk in the park.

It's a ride for me to get the car there, but I feel it's time and $ well spent.