Rear End Advice. Street/1500hp/2600lbs

[JustinOlson]

I'm going to doing a 4 link conversion on my Datsun 280z. I plan on street driving the car still in the dry and wet. I would like the drivetrain to be able to handle 1500hp. I'd like to stay with a 4X4.5 bolt patter, What is the best option for the rear end?

Ford 9"
Dana 60
Ect

Will a locker hold up to this much power?
Are there street gears and axles that will hold up to this power?
Aluminum vs Steel housings?

Regards,
Justin

[Scott @ DLS]

A Dana 60 would be your best bet, it's heavy but with that chassis you wouldn't notice much. You can run a street gear with a spool, no differential will hold up to that much power when launched off a trans brake.

[JustinOlson]

How much more does a Dana 60 weigh compared to the ford 9"?

Regards,
Justin

[Scott @ DLS]

Average is about 50-60 lbs as compaired to a iron case 9 inch.

[JustinOlson]

I won't have wheelie bars and will be leaving fairly soft since I'm fairly light and have a 90.5" wheelbase. It won't be hit too hard off the transbrake.

Just curious if this is changes what you'd recommend.

Justin

[Scott @ DLS]

Nothing besides a Dana 60 will hold up to street driving and the amount of power you plan on running with a street gear.

[dougd]

We have a small pinion pro richmond that has a heat treat .I know of lots of these that have went 500 + Miles in a trip without failure.We have tested most of these sets after heat treat and have each set marked.

[JustinOlson]

How much power with a street gear can a 9" handle? I'm shooting for ~3.5 r&p

Justin

[64duece]

There's no "best answer" to this question. Spools are tough on the rear in dry weather and can be dangerous in wet weather cornering.

Your ideal setup would be a 9" with a carrier built for the street and one for the track. This way you could take the abuse off the axles/studs in street trim and have the strong setup when you race.

I'm in the same situation, except a much heavier car (3800lb), footbraking a twin turbo BBC. I chose to start with a spool in my 9" with street gear for now until I can afford the second setup. I was thinking of using the Lenco billet 9" locker on the street with a gear that works for my cruizing style.

[JustinOlson]

What size wheel studs should I run since I want to stay 4 lug? Is there a reliability difference between 4 and 5 lug?

[Hemidude]

5/8, more lugs better and more stable.

[B-man]

I run a 9" with a 4.56 gear with a full spool,never had a problem,I cant imagine concerning yourself with rainy conditions with that kind of horsepower,I never drive any of my toy in the rain.

[team hyperactive ez555]

8.8 is a good option also.