from a stock rear, looking to build to be a low 10sec 500+hp high tq motor, track car only, not sure if i should do ford 9" or build a stock 8.5, what would need to be done and about what costs, spool, c-clip elims??whatever, thanks, trying to trade something for a rear and this may help with my choice, take care.
what steps to beef up rear end?
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tom robison
ALL UP IN THEM GUTZ
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everybody talked me out of a 9in, they way to much and rob power, so i went with moser 33 spline, c-clip eliminaters and a full spool, was around 700.00.
i went with a ford 9" . now i never need to worry about the rear again. no more broken axles, carriers, etc. the weight increase and drag loss is trivial compared to the peace of mind. ive seen quite a few "built" 8.5's break when using a transbrake. but of course there will be the lucky few .
hth
surej
hth
surej
Sam Colalillo
low 9's w/ a 109
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I don’t know if I have made the correct decision or not. It will be interesting to see how many disagree or agree with what I have chosen to do. I chose to stay with the stock axle for the following reasons: 1) I don’t want a FORD part in my BUICK. 2) Less rotating mass. 3) Seen a lot of guys running 10’s with the stock 8.5 rear end housing.
The stock rear end is prone to having the axles bend at the housing because GM only plug welds the tube into the housing. To prevent this we Welded all around the axle tubes where they go into the rear end housing to prevent them bending. Then added welds to the inside of the lower control arm mounting bracket.
The stock rear end is prone to having the axles bend at the housing because GM only plug welds the tube into the housing. To prevent this we Welded all around the axle tubes where they go into the rear end housing to prevent them bending. Then added welds to the inside of the lower control arm mounting bracket.
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Sam Colalillo
low 9's w/ a 109
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Next the rear end was dropped off at Moser Engineering. They removed the stock housing ends. Ford style housing ends with an old GM 4 bolt backing plate pattern were welded onto the rear end. I got some backing plates off of an old GM car. You have to grind the center opening of the backing plate .in order for it to be large enough for the FORD style bearings to fit through the backing plate. This means I have to run the old style Bendix number 245 brake shoes and mounting hardware. My brake wheel cylinders now bolt on, I consider this a bonus. Purchased a 35 spline spool and a set of 35 spline axles. No more “C” clips. I set the rear end up myself. The bill from Moser was a little over a grand, this included the axles (with half inch bolt in studs), axle retainer end plates, spool, backing plate bolts, a 1350 series pinion yoke, all new bearings, and an install kit.
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DMOSTWANTED1
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Ford Ends?
No Ford parts in car?
No Ford parts in car?
Sam Colalillo
low 9's w/ a 109
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2005
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- 1,469
Sam Colalillo
low 9's w/ a 109
- Joined
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- Messages
- 1,469
DMOSTWANTED1 said:No Ford parts in car?
That did not take long. I knew my sarcasm was going to get me a reply like this. I just don't like seeing a FORD 9" inch in a GM car. I don't have a reeal good reason for it. What can I say I am a diehard GM guy.
In my defense, the housing ends I am using are not off the shelf Ford parts, they are Ford style.
All sarcasm aside the Ford 9" is a great rear end, but I think the increase in rotating mass will slow you down. However if you are making enough horse power to destroy the 8.5 then you must do something different.
turbodave231
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I took the 8.5 out of my car and built a Moser 9". There are no Ford parts in this assembly.....only aftermarket parts.
I was living on borrowed time with my current power level and the 8.5 had 33 spline axles and a full spool.
Sam, I like you idea of going to the better housing ends. That opens up your selection of rear brakes. You could upgrade to a disc setup at anytime.
The 9" doesn't have more rotating mass. What makes it less efficient is the angle at which the pinion intersects the ring gear. Mark Williams and Strange make a 9" 3rd member housing that uses the GM 12 bolt gears and spool that corrects this loss.
I was living on borrowed time with my current power level and the 8.5 had 33 spline axles and a full spool.
Sam, I like you idea of going to the better housing ends. That opens up your selection of rear brakes. You could upgrade to a disc setup at anytime.
The 9" doesn't have more rotating mass. What makes it less efficient is the angle at which the pinion intersects the ring gear. Mark Williams and Strange make a 9" 3rd member housing that uses the GM 12 bolt gears and spool that corrects this loss.
if im spending the money i would rather try and build one that i would never need to worry about, its a big block car and (as the dream goes) a couple years could be a stought motor, and dont know but cant rule out a transbrake, so i think it would be most cost effective for the 9" , i can see how a built 8.5 could do me fine for a while, and if i can get it done may go that way to save for better parts down the road.....
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