Well, I got the new engine installed in the 69 Camaro and the engine is a 496 BB and it has 500HP 560FT LBS of Torque. The tranny is a Munice M21.

My question is the car currently has a 10 bolt single wheel airplane gear rearend. and I know I want to put a posi unit in it with some 3.73 or 4.10 gears. BUT do I need to swap out to a 12 bolt to hand the power the engine is making or will the 10 bolt be fine with a good posi carrier installed?

The Race shop seemed to think if this is just going to be used as a weekend toy street cruiser and not be taken to the Drag Street and have hard launches a 10 bolt would be plenty strong enough and would save me $$. I hate to pay 2500.00 for a 12 bolt if I don't need to!

I plan on mainly cruising this car and ocasionally jumping on it! but no massive clutch drops...etc.

Wanted to get ya'lls opinion!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

9" Ford........

I'd have real concerns with a 10 bolt and a 4:10 posi behind that much torque,better be looking at a 12 bolt if not a 9" Ford.
I know if it was me, if I had that much power I'd use it and sooner or later pay the price for not stepping up.
If you do blow the rear end all sorts of other bad things can happen along with it,possibly even wrecking the car or over-revving the engine causing damage.
It sounds like you have already spent a pretty penny on what you've done,I can't see not going a bit farther and doing it right.
Why put money into a 10 bolt to change the gears and add posi,spend a little more and have some piece of mind.

 

Your probably looking at at least $800 for a gear, good limited slip/ posi unit, and getting it all set up anyway. $1200 if you add axles. There are better deals out there than $2500 for a 12 bolt but probably not a waste of money.

 

dont waste more money on a 10 bolt. spend the money and have a descent 12 bolt or ford 9 inch built with a descent road gear like 3:73 - 3:08
should be able to get one for 1200-1800

 

My point exactly

 

I have been running my 10 bolt for 17 years..It has stock axles and a factory posi and a 410 gear..I have had 148 60 foot times with it and pulled the front tires up many time with it...Is it smart,no..I didnt even have C-Clip eliminators(stops the rear tires from flying off and ruining your quarter panel or running into a wall)...So that was with 500-550 HP,not smart but it worked...Now I have a 408 twin turbo and was at the same cross roads,my 410 is too steep and I want a 350 gear,I thought about a 12 bolt and adding eliminators and such to keep the factory chevy look under it BUT...They are not as strong and for under 2k I could get a 9 inch setup and with disc brakes,where as the moser 12 bolt threw a friend is 2k without brakes?

So now you have to decide do you want to drop money into a junk rearend that could wipe out your quarter panel or drop more for C-Clips or step up? I decided I have too much into my car to chince out and I just ordered,yesterday,,
9" Ford Housing/Axle Package (68 Camaro) - New Housing Center & New Billet Steel Housing Ends - Moser Axles, Bearings, Wheel Studs, & Retainers - Center Section (Assembled) - Strange Nodular S-Case, Alum. Pinion Sup, 1350 Billet Yoke, 31 True Trac, Motive Gears - 11" Disc Kit w/ DSlotted Rotors - Braided Line Kit ....$2,400 shipped to my door...

Here is his orginal ad,I of course did some upgrades from this rear end..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

I built my 10 bolt back around 1985 and have made a lot of passes with it down the 1/4, plus a number of years on the street. It's far from stock, but has held up well behind my 427 that's close to 465HP.
The axles are Dutchman, a Power Trax Locker, 3:42 Richmond gears, andc-clip eliminator kit. The whole thing cost me under $1,000 including having Dutchman install the ring and pinion and set the lash. I've checked prices recently for a friend and it's not a lot more now either.

 

A 10 bolt will work with some good internals, however its not ideal, I was making 627hp @ the wheels with a 10 bolt, but I didnt work the trans or rear too hard...now I have a super built 12 bolt and I am not scared anymore

 

Of course you realise a 12 bolt is only 1/4" larger than a 8.5" 10 bolt. Not a ton of extra metal to make it much stronger.

 

Get ahold of Pyle Brothers out in Baytown. They build lots of rear ends for race cars, they might be able to help you out.