gregrob

iTrader: (8)

S60 has me thinking now. It's going to be 2500ish no matter which route I got with a 9 inch.

Valkyn

iTrader: (8)

Plenty of guys have run the standard stamped housing 9" rear in 9 second and faster cars. I'd say a fabricated 9" is probably overkill for most guys with a street/strip car.

I don't think strange makes a 9" for 4th gens, but like has been mentioned you could run a moser housing with all strange parts.

I would go with 31 spline axles, so you could run a posi, locker, spool or wavetrac (when they come out with their 31 spline version soon) if you wanted to.

BizZzatch350

iTrader: (33)

I have the strange 12 bolt, the torquearm issues made me not want a moser 12 bolt. Mine has a locker in it, only part I dislike, to rowdy making u turns.

Colin91Z

iTrader: (9)

I was in the same dilema as you are when I was shopping for a rearend. I ultimately decided on the S60. And especially if you want to stick with a posi, the S60 comes standard with 35 splines axles. It's gonna be the strongest you can get while running a real posi unless you wanna spend huge $$$ on a wavetrac for a 9".

I was also concerned about the weight of the S60, but think of it this way, it may be slightly heavier but it eats up less power. So its basicly a wash.

IMO, for the money, you can't beat the S60. I made my decision 2 years ago, and haven't regretted it one bit

I ordered mine with a True-trac, 4.30s, 3" wheel studs, and w/o abs

myltwon

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't spend money on a 12 bolt, seen way to many M6 guys break them locally while guys with budget 9"/S60s have been doing limiter dumps for years.

personally I'll prolly be going the 8.8 route if a local guy can fab it up

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

it was 13hp but anyways the S60 may be a bit heavier but it is the most efficient of the big 3. Its also by far the strongest. Not only that but it is a direct bolt in.

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

stock 9" housing is fine, only thing you'll gain with a fabbed housing is a lighter unit and a lighter wallet. I stongly believe in strange components over moser crap. I've heard of a lot of twisted moser axles. Get 5/8" studs. Get a 35 spline with a wavetrac if you don't want a spool.

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

a 9" is the strongest out of all of them, there's no comparison. You can always just put a big pinion in them, with an ultra case, and a 10" gear if you're really making power and feel like spending bucks.

97Z28SS

iTrader: (5)

S60 ftw but if you plan on alot of drag racing and street driving and you're spraying, forced induction or high na whp/wtq then forget the tru trac get the detroit locker with it and be bulletproof.

Colin91Z

iTrader: (9)

I disagree. There is tons to compare. If you have a budget of say $2500 to buy a new rearend, you cannot buy a 9" that is stronger than an S60. If you were to order the 9" with a locker, and 35 spline axles, you now have a rear that can compare to how an S60 comes standard for several hundred dollars more. Now, apply the same amount of money in upgrades to an S60 and you have something much stronger than the 9", still meeting the $2500 budget.

If your really on a tight budget, an S60 can be had with a spool and no upgrades for less than $2k if you know where to shop.

Now, I agree that the 9" can indeed be built stronger than the S60, but not on the budget most of us are willing to spend on our street cars.

IMO, the main advantage the 9" has over the S60 is a much greater selection of gear ratios, and replacement parts are plentiful.

I did alot of research and pricing before I was ready to drop my hard earned cash on a rear, and I still feel I got the most for my money by choosing the S60.

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

im not talking about on a kids budget. the 9" reigns king, it can be built to handle almost unlimited power, and it can weigh less than a 12 bolt.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

+1, especially if it's narrowed, aluminum center section, run a spool, etc.

Colin91Z

iTrader: (9)

I'm not arguing these points, however, most of us are on a "kids" budget as you call it. You may have an unlimited budget, but the average f-body enthusiast is not going to spend the kind of money you're talking about on their street car. That being the case, IMO you can't beat the bang for the buck that the S60 offers in the "kids" price range.

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

i am a kid, but didn't have a kid's budget when i bought the rearend Another positive is easily swappable centers and gears.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I see what you're saying too. But I built my 9" using a Moser housing, narrowed 1.5" with 33 spline axles and a spool for around $2000. The beauty of a 9" is its flexibility. A bare bones 9" can actually be CHEAPER if you just buy the housing and axles, then piece together a center section yourself (well worth it IMO). Then, if you want to upgrade it in the future it's just a matter of easily swapping out the center section, welding on a back-brace, etc. IMO, the 9" offers the best flexibility for both people on a "kids" budget and a full-blown trackday racer.

Colin91Z

iTrader: (9)

Well I'm not exactly a kid, (I was 29 when I bought my S60) however I am indeed on a "kid's" budget as you call it. I bought the S60, strange driveshaft, and upgraded my whole rear suspension to adjustable chromemoly stuff including torque arm all at the same time. Cost me $3100.

That may be chump change to you, but please keep in mind that I still have a wife and two kids to support, plus a large house w/pool to pay the mortgage on while spending that kind of money on a car which is basicly just a toy. So its not a "kids" budget IMO.

I see what you're saying about flexibility, and you certainly have a valid point about being able to upgrade as needed. I even said I thought that was the 9"s high point earlier in this thread.

However, if I had ordered my S60 with a spool and no other options other than the 3" studs (narrowing was a no-cost option), it would have been right at 2K shipped to my door complete and ready to install right off the palet. Thats including the standard 35 spline axles. Hell Strange even included fluid (and not cheap stuff, Lucas synthetic) and hardware to install the stock sway bar including poly bushings at no extra charge. Not that I needed the sway bar stuff, but it was a nice touch.

This my main point: The S60 offers an incredible bang for the buck on a so called "kid's" budget.

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

S60 it is! I can get a retarded good deal on it so its a no brainer.

I agree that its the best bang for the buck i've found and toughest rear you're gonna find for less than 2500

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

D'oh. I was close. Still very efficient for an almost 10" ring gear.

Now I just gotta decide on ratio. 390, 410, or 430...

Colin91Z

iTrader: (9)

4.30. Hell somethimes I wish I had gone 4.56.

If you run out of gear, add tire.

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

******* epic statement there!

I want this bitch hanging the HOOPS