2000 firehawk. Rear end question
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 11
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From: Hudson FL
2000 firehawk. Rear end question I have a 2000 Pontiac firehawk (trans am) with a LS-1 5.7 V-8
I keep reading about people "breaking" the rear end because of modifications, but can't find real details on it.
Does this happen because of serious modifications or can just basic bolt on mods do it too?
Here's what I'm planning on doing over the next 6-8 months.
These I'll do right away
SLP CAI
LS-6 intake
Ported TB
Long tube headers
True dual exhaust
Eventually will do
LS6 cam and heads
I'm not looking to go extreme just want to add enough power to keep up with some newer cars but still maintain drivability.
Will the factory rear end handle these mods or do I need to look into a better rear end?
Thanks in advance.
I keep reading about people "breaking" the rear end because of modifications, but can't find real details on it.
Does this happen because of serious modifications or can just basic bolt on mods do it too?
Here's what I'm planning on doing over the next 6-8 months.
These I'll do right away
SLP CAI
LS-6 intake
Ported TB
Long tube headers
True dual exhaust
Eventually will do
LS6 cam and heads
I'm not looking to go extreme just want to add enough power to keep up with some newer cars but still maintain drivability.
Will the factory rear end handle these mods or do I need to look into a better rear end?
Thanks in advance.
Sticky tires that hook up & a hard launch is what often kills 10-bolt rear ends regardless of power level. Automatics tend to be less brutal on the parts that manual transmissions. Wheel hop can also cause issues.
My six speed manual 99 TA has had 4.10 gears and heads & cam package for over 15 years & 125,000 miles and rear has held together. Car makes 418 wheel horse power. No hard launches are the key to keeping the stock 10 bolt alive for a while. Launching I slip the clutch, no side steps. Other mods like good LCA's to reduce/eliminate wheel hop also help.
Do the mods have fun and start saving for a new rear end like a Hawks 8.8 that can take 1000hp and live with side stepping the clutch at 6000 rpm on sticky tires.
My six speed manual 99 TA has had 4.10 gears and heads & cam package for over 15 years & 125,000 miles and rear has held together. Car makes 418 wheel horse power. No hard launches are the key to keeping the stock 10 bolt alive for a while. Launching I slip the clutch, no side steps. Other mods like good LCA's to reduce/eliminate wheel hop also help.
Do the mods have fun and start saving for a new rear end like a Hawks 8.8 that can take 1000hp and live with side stepping the clutch at 6000 rpm on sticky tires.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 11
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From: Hudson FL
I forgot to mention that it is a six speed manual. And the previous owner also had the rear rims widened professionally by 1 inch to accommodate special tires.
while I have never deliberately tried to spin the tires I have taken off pretty hard and they have never spun so I don't know if that would qualify as sticky tires?
unfortunately I can't give you the brand name I don't know it off the top of my head and I'm an over the road truck driver so I'm not even at the house to go look.
Also what does LCA stand for?
while I have never deliberately tried to spin the tires I have taken off pretty hard and they have never spun so I don't know if that would qualify as sticky tires?
unfortunately I can't give you the brand name I don't know it off the top of my head and I'm an over the road truck driver so I'm not even at the house to go look.
Also what does LCA stand for?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
This is a question that has been discussed many times over, but to get responses, I'm moving it to the gears and axles forum. Note that the forum where you posted concerns engines.
