Strange 12 or 9
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.
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.
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
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
personally I'll prolly be going the 8.8 route if a local guy can fab it up
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
price range. 
Another positive is easily swappable centers and gears. 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.
price range. 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 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.
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.
Last edited by Colin91Z; Feb 2, 2011 at 10:30 PM.
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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
I agree that its the best bang for the buck i've found and toughest rear you're gonna find for less than 2500
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Now I just gotta decide on ratio. 390, 410, or 430...