LS101

is there any way to beaf up my stock rear end rather than pay 1800 for a 12 bolt ? if so please explain.

keliente

iTrader: (22)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/510589-when-will-my-10-bolt-break.html

blue02formula

iTrader: (1)

If you have a M6, I wouldn't spend a dime on the 10 bolt. You can throw cash at it all day and in the end your still going to have a POS Vega rearend. I know I would have liked to have had the money I spent on my 10 bolt back, when I eventually bought my 12 bolt. If your going to keep the car for years like I plan on, the money spent on the 12 bolt was well worth it.

revtime

iTrader: (1)

There is an LT1 firebird in town that runs 11s with a 6 speed and the stock 10 bolt fortified with Moser axles and an aftermarket posi unit. I really don,t know how it stays together.
I run a stock 10 bolt with 3.73s and a TA rear girdle, I run an automatic trans so its easier on the rear but it has not lived a cushy life by any stretch of the imagination.

In my opinion they are like the 4L60E transmission, its a crap shoot whether it will blow up or not.

Cumbias

On Pontiac High Performance's 2 most recent Issues, theres an article on streghtening your 10 bolt to handle 425 RWHP for only $558, or so they claim. The article claimed that replacing the stock axles with aftermarket axles, a TA differential cover, and weldind the axle tubes will significant ly increase the strenght of the stock 10 bolt.

Alvin

iTrader: (2)

Yeah that's great in theory, until the 'beefed up' rear end blows apart on the 3rd pass and now you've just burned up $558. There is no saving the 10 bolt. Set your gears up how you like them, enjoy it while it lasts, buy a 12 bolt/9 inch. With the 10 bolt you are just going to continue replacing part after part...the thing that gets me is the people who can't afford a 12 bolt yet will put a ring and pinion into a 10 bolt 5 times....

Out1aw

iTrader: (1)

Also consider a Ratech Solid Pinion Spacer to take the flex out of the rear.

GM Muscle

iTrader: (9)

Is this a street car, track car, A4, M6? I wouldn't spend much more than $500 on a 10 bolt. Axles, pinion spacer, and girdle/stud kit. Atleast if you decide to upgrade in the future you can easily sell the axles and girdle. My poor 10 bolt has had a real tough life and it has yet to spit any parts, so there are deffinatly two sides to the coin. It's only a matter of time with most of them though.

2001z

iTrader: (32)

Here is what you need for a m6 call scott at driveline solutions and say good bye to the 10bolt !!

v8juice

iTrader: (9)

Mine went BOOM twice in 2 years and it only gets driven pretty much just on weekends.I wished I had gotten rid of it a long time ago

Cumbias

True, if your going to see the track alot, then a 12-bolt is a better choice, but the article aim seemed to be the occasional racer who migh see the strip few times a year, and that only has a mildly bolt-on ls1 that for sure isn't putting down 450 rwhp.

Since LS101 asked,
Well i'll post the parts list that were listed on the article to at least beef-up the stock rear-end
Aftermarket axles(Yukon)- $175
TA Differential Cover- $145.11
TA Stud Kit- $24.99
Fluid/Gasket- $25.00
Straighten/Weld Axle Tubes-About $85.00(depends on were you get it done)
Labor- About $100.00(depends on were you get it done)

Another good point, thats also common sense atated in the article is proper maintenace of your rear-end. Check you fluid level and flush when necessary.

Personally I'll be willing to spend $558 on the stock rear end before buying a 12-bolt or Dana/S 60

keliente

iTrader: (22)

The problem is that 10 bolts don't just break at the track...even people screwing around on the street break them left and right. That article makes me want to choke the guy who wrote it, filling people's heads with silly dreams like 10 bolts that never fail

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

ive given my 4.10's hell during break in, and they show no signs of wear at 500 miles.. only now im taking it easy on them

break em in like youre gonna drive... just like a new rebuilt engine.

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

1 vote for the 9 inch

SS4Matt

iTrader: (4)

can't agree more! the first time my 10 bolt crapped out i didn't have the cash to get a 9" at the time, so i just fixed it with 3.73's. then when those went out i got the 9" from Scott@Driveline-Solutions!!

the first time it went, i was just cruise'n down the highway doin 80ish so that's not very hard on a rear end...and i was on the "spring kickoff cruise" with my f-body club when the 3.73's took a ****....both breaks were just "random" not caused by abuse or anything...just daily driving....go with the 9" from scott!

revtime

iTrader: (1)

I spoke too soon, this is a piece of the pinion gear I wasted tonight.

black_knight

iTrader: (1)

Should'a just said:

NO!

linked to the sticky, and closed the thread.

keliente

iTrader: (22)

this actually isn't the section that I moderate, so I have no mod powers in here

Cumbias

Ok Ok. That article made me think twice about buying a 12-bolt or S 60 when get my car. For a daily driver that only going to put down 425 RWHP at the most. what would be the quietest stock-like maintanance rear-end. One that going to last a long time with only accasional trips to the strip, about twice a month and maintains stock Traction control and ABS, but most importantly, QUIET. is for an M6

sorry for kinda using the thread. Didn't want to start another one asking the same basic question everyone does.

firefighter

Man, I've done that more than a few times with a 4.3L V6. You gotta step it up I personally think the 12 bolt or the S60. Plain and simple a 7 5/8" 10 bolt is about damn worthless. For leaf spring guys an 8.5" 10 bolt is a less exspensive option but I the torque arm limits you guys to the popular three options. Just don't waste your money on that stock rear.