I have 325rwhp NA, and have a 150 shot coming in at 3k RPM. I was about to purchase a Dana s60, but have been reading a lot of issues with noise. This is a daily driver so I can't tolerate any excessive howling, but I don't expect it to be dead quiet either. Is the noise something minor that exhaust from LT !cats to a flowmaster would cover up?

Also, do you guys think a strange 12 bolt would hold up with 5krpm clutch dumps at the track every other month or so?

I really like the specs on the Dana, but could someone give me some idea to just how loud it is...and why they are loud?

Car is a 96 3c ABS 6 speed.

 

I wouldnt trust a 12 bolt on a 6spd car. I was also looking at a S60 but also decided to opt for the 9" instead. The S60 is a beefy SOB but there is a chance that the metal used on the housing may be soft.. causing the internals to be thrown off after a few hard launches. This is still speculation of course but I wasnt willing to drop $2K+ and take the chance, so I ordered the tried and true 9". Give Scott@DLS ---> (Sponsor) a call... great customer service and from all Ive heard he really knows how to put them together right. I cant wait for mine to get here.

 

Dana's are also heavier than a 9" i believe and will cost you some more hp. Just go with the 9" if you dont trust the 12 bolt

 

From everything I have the the s60 is lighter than the 9" and 20-30 pounds heavier than the 12b, but with less parasitic drive train loss due to pinion angle.

I would do a 9" but, I would like to keep my 3 channel ABS.

 

Well, i think I'm going with the S60 if no one has anymore dirt than this on it.

 

im in the same boat i want a new rear end too, the 12 bolt would be nice, moser 12 bolt has the tq arm mount issue, people say strange had a stock mount tq arm mount but the rears are noisy? how are they noisy when they claim there set up and dyno tested and they take their time on each one before its shipped out ? then there is the 9 inch wich seems to be to be the best option but how much power dose that baby suck up? how much power will you lose with a 12 bolt? how much power will you loose with a 9 inch?

 

From what I have found so far a Dana 60 has the least power loss at 5% Then the 12 bolts at 7% and last the 9" at a whopping 12%. If I read Injuneers post correctly (mod at camaroz28.com) the 12 bolt is with in 1% of the stock 10 bolt in power loss, and the dana 60 actually has less power loss then the 10 bolt.

 

Blah blah blah all this talk about losing power with the 9". It is not enough to tell the difference. Heck I picked up a crap load on my e.t. and picked up 2 mph on motor and 6 mph on the kit over the 10-bolt. This is going from down from 4:10's to 3:89's.

 

The point is, if the Dana 60 is lighter, takes less power, stronger, and cheaper. Why get the 9 inch? Not to mention it works with stock suspension and 3 channel ABS.

I'm not defending it, I just want constructive advice not fanboy talk. From what I have seen the Dana out does the 9 inch in every area, so I'm looking for the dirt on it.

 

Where are you hearing that the Dana 60 is lighter? All the information I have says it is 10-15 lbs more than a 9". It also requires a shorter driveshaft (so more $$$ to spend). If anything, it should have less parasitic loss than a 9" due to pinion placement, but still...you will be hauling around a huge piece of hardware. Looking at install pics will show you that very clearly - Speed Inc's website has some in case you need a reference.

 

It looks like I was given incorrect information about the Dana 60s weight, but with less drive train loss I would think it would makeup for the 12-15 pounds it adds.

 

how could a 9.75 ring gear have less loos than a 8.5 or 9 inch?? im confused?

 

The Ford 9" has a different pinion placement in relation to the other's...it puts it a bit lower on the ring gear if I recall correctly, thus allowing more tooth contact between the two. Because of that, there is more friction drag.

 

So I guess my biggest concern is still the noise issue. But, from what I have read people seem to complain about noise from the other manufactures and rears as well.

 

the S60 requires a shorter drive shaft? i am debating which rear end to buy myself and i was looking at the strange dana 60. i dont want to replace the driveshaft though

 

The stock driveshaft has to be shortend by 1.625" Or you can buy a prebuilt one for 250 from strange.

 

also where are you guys ordering and getting info from?

 

i guess what is 250 more when dropping over 2g's on a rear end....does it come ready to go with joints and stuff and how good is the quality?

 

I'm just having my DS shortened, I don't want a strong driveshaft until I beef up my tranney.

The quality is the main purpose of this thread, it is in question from the numerous noise reports, and the suspension the center section may be composed of soft materials.

 

Well, I just bought the Dana 60. Will post up in a month or so how it does.