Will my 8.5 GM 10 bolt live with a trans brake?

[79rustbucket79]

79 Camaro, currently runs high 10's at 2300' elevation, low 1.5 60' times, 121 MPH running a 600 HP 406 small block, TH350, 4.10 gears, 9x29.5 MT ET Drags, 3600 # w/driver, 50/50 weight distribution (scaled) Koni SPA-1's all around, Calvert split monos, Cal tracs.
When the track is decent my 60' times will be within .005 but I have to do a pretty serious burnout (60 passes per set of slicks at best) and when the tires are old or the track isn't great the 60's vary and therefor the ET's, making it tough to dial accurately. (bracket racer)
My thoughts are to go with a steeper gear (4.56) and a powerglide with a trans brake. The gear is to get me at my shift point (6800) and the trans brake is to help me at the tree and allow the front and rear suspension to be at it's fully relaxed state prior to the launch. On video currently the car rises 2-3 inches front and back and I believe that is suspension travel that would be better suited after the brake is released.
I have the stock housing 10 bolt with the Bear's (Strange Canada) axle kit consisting of 33 spline axles, C clip eliminators, lightweight full spool, and I also have the T/A bearing cap studs and the T/A rear end cover. (girdle)

QUESTIONS:

Will this rear end survive the harsh trans brake launches (converter currently flashes to 5500) behind a powerglide?
Any particular brand of ring and pinion for this heavy combo for better lifespan with the brake?
Would it survive with a brake in my TH350?

[NPS Nova]

79, my friend, Willy Keizer runs a 79 T/A in the OSCA 8.90 class and went to the world street race with his car, Much the same as your BUT 522 Sonny motor, 2 NOS kits, T400 with brake. Now he just put bigger tires on his and started stripping the ring rear, 2 of them in 3 weeks. He's run his "built" 10 bolt for the better part of 5 or 6 year trouble free. BUT when he switched to bigger tires, 13.5 X 29.5 Slick, and leaving with the fogger and motor, the ring gear didn't stand up.

He was able to leave with the 500 HP shot and the motor Dyno'ed with over 600 HP at the rear. With the smaller tires you "should" be fine. If the car does start hooking hard, and running fast, mid 9's. you might have a problem. He was running 9.0 for a year with no problem. Hope this info helps.

I heard Motive gear is the one to use with the 10 Bolts, John:cool:

[85Camaro]

I've seen them live into the low 8's on nitrous at 3000lbs with good interanals of coarse

[ProGSX]

79, my friend, Willy Keizer runs a 79 T/A in the OSCA 8.90 class and went to the world street race with his car, Much the same as your BUT 522 Sonny motor, 2 NOS kits, T400 with brake. Now he just put bigger tires on his and started stripping the ring rear, 2 of them in 3 weeks. He's run his "built" 10 bolt for the better part of 5 or 6 year trouble free. BUT when he switched to bigger tires, 13.5 X 29.5 Slick, and leaving with the fogger and motor, the ring gear didn't stand up.

He was able to leave with the 500 HP shot and the motor Dyno'ed with over 600 HP at the rear. With the smaller tires you "should" be fine. If the car does start hooking hard, and running fast, mid 9's. you might have a problem. He was running 9.0 for a year with no problem. Hope this info helps.

I heard Motive gear is the one to use with the 10 Bolts, John:cool:

Does motive make a pro gear?

[NPS Nova]

I THINK they do. I haven't had to myself, I'm going on what others in the field are saying. :cool:

[Jim Filipowski]

My 8.5 10 bolt in my nova has been 8.60 @ 164 at 3400 lbs. Stock gear set, Chrome moly yoke and axle tubes with back brace and a Ultimate cover.

[NPS Nova]

My 8.5 10 bolt in my nova has been 8.60 @ 164 at 3400 lbs. Stock gear set, Chrome moly yoke and axle tubes with back brace and a Ultimate cover.

:-Daw :confused: :rolleyes:

[79rustbucket79]

Thanks for the replys all, I guess I don't have anything to worry about with my little ol 406, much appreciated!

[MEAN_SBC]

Dayummm... I've been thinking of getting a 9inch, but you think I should just beef up this 10 bolt???

[Stroked-Z]

Dayummm... I've been thinking of getting a 9inch, but you think I should just beef up this 10 bolt???


Yup ;)

[Scott McMullen]

8.5 Corprate is Heavier and Stronger than Any Twelve Bolt

[dpm90iroc]

Ford 9" housing is about 50lbs heavier than gm rear & takes more hp to turn it

[Mike Coffey]

I have ran my 8.5 ten bolt for 8 years with only one gear change with no problems at all!

[70noschevy]

I have ran my 8.5 ten bolt for 8 years with only one gear change with no problems at all!
How many spline was your axles ? I have a 9 " housing but, no center section, but I'm considering building my 8.5 10 Bolt instead, I'm thinking it might be alot cheaper. Thinking on 33 spline axles.

[70noschevy]

8.5 Corprate is Heavier and Stronger than Any Twelve Bolt

Were the 8.5 corp. availiable in anything besides the trucks ? My nova has a 8.5 10 bolt but not sure how to tell if it's a corp. or not.

[Scott McMullen]

Im Not Sure But I run 28 Spline axles in My 10 bolt 8.5 3600 lbs with 1.5 Sixties

[xracer73]

In 1971, GM instituted a standardized "corporate" rear axle. This rear end was available in a 10 bolt version only. The corporate 8.5-inch 10-bolt was first used in ’71 Camaros (the ’70 Camaro retained the 8.2) along with several other body styles, including the second-generation Novas.

8.5" "Corporate"
Casting # Series Gearing
410408N 3 2.73:1 & up
410409N 2 2.56:1 & down


How strong is the 8.5-inch 10-bolt? Well, let’s put it this way: Both Dave Henninger and Kurt Urban run these 10-bolts (with spools) in their respective Camaros. Henninger has run as quick as 8.68/151 mph, while Urban’s Camaro runs 9.20s/145. Henninger has never broken a gear and has logged hundreds of runs. That should settle the question of durability.

[Silverback]

Well, one side of the argument is that there isn’t a good reason for the 10 bolt to be any weaker then the 12 bolt, the other side looks a little like THIS(click) (http://mpikas.midimonkey.com/images/Automotive/92Blazer/BrokenPinion_07-02-02_4.JPG)

[ProGSX]

Well, one side of the argument is that there isn’t a good reason for the 10 bolt to be any weaker then the 12 bolt, the other side looks a little like THIS(click) (http://mpikas.midimonkey.com/images/Automotive/92Blazer/BrokenPinion_07-02-02_4.JPG)

This is usually the cause of too much backlash.

[mikeyfrombc]

How many spline was your axles ? I have a 9 " housing but, no center section, but I'm considering building my 8.5 10 Bolt instead, I'm thinking it might be alot cheaper. Thinking on 33 spline axles.

M/W has 35spline axles and spools for the 8.5" 10bolt , i ordred everything for but 10bolt fromthem except for the yoke and rear cover and it was just over 1K , i used their street/strip axles , 11/16 studs , pro spool , ford big bearings , 3.73 gears , installation kit , spool bearings etc. i compared prices with Moser, Strange and anothe company and the M/W was the best deal for what i needed , great customer service as well , i will order my driveshaft and yokes from them as well when the time comes .

[BIGMAC1971]

GET YOUR AXLE TUBES WELDED RUN A SPOOL AND AXLE PACKAGE I HAVE 33 SPLINE PRO RACE AXLES WITH C-CLIP ELIMS BILLET PINION YOKE AND TA DIFF COVER I HAVE RUN FOR YEARS.I ONLY HAD AN ISSUE ONCE TOOK ALL THE TEETH OFF MY RING GEAR WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION TWISTED DRIVESHAFT AND BROKE THE FRONT HUB IN THE TRANS.CAR DOES LEAVE HARD THOUGH 60 FT IN THE LOW 1.30'S RANDYS RING AND PINION SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE INSTALL AND TAKE FOR A SHORT 7 MILE CRUISE TO GET SOME HEAT IN THE GEAR THEN LET IT SIT OVER NIGHT. KINDA HELPS TO HEAT TREAT THE GEAR. BTW THE CAR WEIGHS 3400 LBS http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p50/BIGMAC1971/BADASSWHEELIEPICS012.jpg

[bryonest]

I currently have a 10 bolt 8.5 under my Nova and I am assuming it's 28 spline. I am wanting to go to a spool, good axles, ect...My question is can I go to a 30 spline or larger with my housing? What are my options with what I have? bryonest@yahoo.com

[85Camaro]

How strong is the 8.5-inch 10-bolt? Well, let’s put it this way: Both Dave Henninger and Kurt Urban run these 10-bolts (with spools) in their respective Camaros. Henninger has run as quick as 8.68/151 mph, while Urban’s Camaro runs 9.20s/145. Henninger has never broken a gear and has logged hundreds of runs. That should settle the question of durability.

I believe henninger car has gone teens before with the old NOS small block and has gone .30's in the last year with the V6 turbo and last time I looked there was just a stock style cover on it also! :rolleyes:

[bryonest]

I currently have a 10 bolt 8.5 under my Nova and I am assuming it's 28 spline. I am wanting to go to a spool, good axles, ect...My question is can I go to a 30 spline or larger with my housing? What are my options with what I have? bryonest@yahoo.com

[OnABudget]

moser makes 33 spline axle and spool packages that will fit any 8.5.

Wondering if it will hold up?...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2BX7cp06o

The cutlass has a 8.5 with 33 spline moser setup.

[4digitHP]

got an 8.5 in my 68 camaro with stock axles and mini spool. car weighs 3500lbs and cuts hi 1.3s 60's. have been running it for over 2 years. car has went 6.03 at 118 in eighth.

[ProGSX]

got an 8.5 in my 68 camaro with stock axles and mini spool. car weighs 3500lbs and cuts hi 1.3s 60's. have been running it for over 2 years. car has went 6.03 at 118 in eighth.


Man are you pushing your luck.

[Scott McMullen]

Man are you pushing your luck.X2 :-Daw

[BIGMAC1971]

I currently have a 10 bolt 8.5 under my Nova and I am assuming it's 28 spline. I am wanting to go to a spool, good axles, ect...My question is can I go to a 30 spline or larger with my housing? What are my options with what I have? bryonest@yahoo.com

strange sells a 33 spline spool and axle package for an 8.5 ten bolt but if you are gonna go that far make sure you get a billet pinion yoke for a 1350 joint and have your axle tubes welded while its apart. put a t/a diff cover on and it will hold deep into the 9's.

[4digitHP]

i have been told that a time or two!! lol car is down for the winter now, so time for some upgrades! don't think the new setup and this rear will get along!!

[bryonest]

strange sells a 33 spline spool and axle package for an 8.5 ten bolt but if you are gonna go that far make sure you get a billet pinion yoke for a 1350 joint and have your axle tubes welded while its apart. put a t/a diff cover on and it will hold deep into the 9's.

Thanks for the info....I am looking at mid 10's in an all steel car....I assume you are launching with a trans brake, may I ask what RPM you leave at? Your 10 bolt has survived for a while? Man I remember when people couldn't wait to yank them out from under their cars and go to a 9", which is what I was going to do....I really appreciate everyones advice.

[Louie L]

In 2005 Donnie Hastings went high 7s on a 8.5 . 3200 lbs , Turbo SBC. I believe he eventually went to a 9in.

This is straight from his promo card:

2005
Finished 9th in NSCA Limited Street
Top MPH at Salem Ohio race
Finished 7th in NMCA Super Street
Best E.T. 7.93 @179mph on
29.5x10.5 NON W tires

[BIGMAC1971]

WELL IF YOU PLAN ON GOING FASTER THAN LOW NINES I WOULD JUST GET A 9" AND BE DONE WITH IT. I JUST UPGRADED MY REAR END A MONTH AND A HALF AGO.THE 10 BOLT WAS STILL TOGETHER. STILL TRYING TO SELL IT. IF YOUR INTERESTED. STRANGE 33 SPLINE PRO RACE AXLES,SPOOL,MOSER BILLET PINION YOKE. T/A DIFF COVER.WITH 3.89 GEAR YUKON GEAR FROM RANDY'S RING AND PINION. HAS THE MONO LEAF SPRING PERCHES WELDED ON IT SET FOR -4 DEGREES PINION ANGLE ALREADY ALSO LOOKING TO GET $800 FOR IT.

[BIGMAC1971]

Thanks for the info....I am looking at mid 10's in an all steel car....I assume you are launching with a trans brake, may I ask what RPM you leave at? Your 10 bolt has survived for a while? Man I remember when people couldn't wait to yank them out from under their cars and go to a 9", which is what I was going to do....I really appreciate everyones advice.

I WAS LAUNCHING AT 4300 OFF THE TRANS BRAKE WITH THE NITROUS BEST 60' I HAD WITH MY 8.5 WAS 1.292 AT 3300LBS ON A 29.5X10.5S TIRE SBC ON A 150 SHOT
I PLAN ON EVENTUALLY PUTTING A LOT MORE POWER AT IT SO I JUST UPGRADED THE REAREND LIKE A MONTH AND A HALF AGO WENT TO A 9"

[Scott McMullen]

Okay Guys If you don't mind give up some specs ie Tubes, axles, ring and pinion, stock housing, t-brake , foot brake, wieght, ETC ETC ETC

1977 Nova 388ci SBC 3625lbs Drag radial foot brake
Stock Housing
Stock Tubes
Moser 28 spline axles
Auburn Pro Series Carrier
Richmond 4.56 gear
Stock diff cover
Moser C-Clip eliminators
Stock Pinion Yolk
1.500 Sixty