12 Bolt vs 10 Bolt Rear

[stock4174]

Originally Posted by james schaechter

With the money you save from staying with the 10 bolt you can probably afford a golf cart and a tow strap. Eventually, you will need it.

Remember Mr. Fahey drives his race car to the track so when the 10 bolt blows up on the starting line he can just call Triple AAA to tow him home. 🤑

[j gardiner]

There is nothing wrong with your 8.5, don't let those guys tell you wrong. They are every bit as strong as a 12 bolt. I have had mine in my stocker running low 1.40s 60 foots for 20 years and about 2500 runs and I have had to replace the ring and pinion 3 times so that is about 750 runs. Put a spool and axles in it and you will be good to go.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by j gardiner

There is nothing wrong with your 8.5, don't let those guys tell you wrong. They are every bit as strong as a 12 bolt. I have had mine in my stocker running low 1.40s 60 foots for 20 years and about 2500 runs and I have had to replace the ring and pinion 3 times so that is about 750 runs. Put a spool and axles in it and you will be good to go.

Very valid points, but how much does your stocker weigh, and is it EFI ?

[j gardiner]

My car weighs 3350 lbs and it has a carb.

[Chipper Chapman]

The statement made that the pinions are different is right, I stand corrected. The pinion shaft and bearings are actually larger in the 8.5 than the 12 bolt. Maybe gm new what they were doing when they replaced the 12 bolt with the 8.5 and placed it under millions of cars and trucks lol. Once you put spool and axles in it, they won’t know they’re not in a 12 bolt housing. Run it!

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Chipper Chapman

The statement made that the pinions are different is right, I stand corrected. The pinion shaft and bearings are actually larger in the 8.5 than the 12 bolt. Maybe gm new what they were doing when they replaced the 12 bolt with the 8.5 and placed it under millions of cars and trucks lol. Once you put spool and axles in it, they won’t know they’re not in a 12 bolt housing. Run it!

We haven’t seen them break often!
Bet they have less drag than a 12 bolt and they are on every GM truck too.

As for AAA...signing up with them has helped a lot.
Used them a few times.
Had to have the Wagon towed home but not the race car.
Mid 2016 have been towing.