I know the Ford is much stronger, but I have heard it requires more horsepower to turn it. Is this true..and if so, how much more efficient is the GM than the Ford. Thanks.

From what I've read it takes 3% more power to turn a 9". As far as being stonger uless you get a 9" with a nodular center section there really not that strong, non-nodular are rated to 450hp. But like I've said it's just what I've read.

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68 468 700R4, and here it is;
mutert23 (http://home.earthlink.net/~mutert23/)

The Ford is stronger by design. The angle of the teeth on the ring and pinion is one thing that makes it stronger and it has three bearings supporting the pinion. It is also easier to change gear ratios if you have two chunks already set up. Just drop one out and put the other one in. I've seen many standard Ford cases hold up to years of constant drag racing behind big blocks making more than 500 hp. The Ford rear ends are still easy to find and there are almost as many aftermarket parts for them as small block Chevys.
On the other hand, the 12 bolt is lighter and it doesn't take as much power to turn it due to the lighter rotating mass and less friction due to the angle of the teeth on the ring and pinion. It can be built to handle almost as much power as the Ford.
Strange makes a case that fits the Ford housing but uses 12 bolt gears and spools. This would give some of the advantages of both rear ends.

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'69 RS/SS396 pro street
427/4spd/9"

I leave the lights at 5600 prm, off my trans brake. My 9" is not nodule and has never let me down yet. Close to 300 runs on it. I am suprised the gears have not even given up yet. I just love the 9". Its the last part I ever worry about breaking. I figure the shaft will go first!

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Mark

1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~racer383/

Where does one go to buy a Ford 9" rearend these days? I understand that they're getting a little rare, as everyone wants them for their obvious benefits. I want to put one under a Stude, so I am seeking one as narrow as possible, probably from an early Mustang w/flanged axles.

A stock 9" has two big downfalls. The housing and the posi unit. Both are weaker than a stock 12 bolt. The power loss thing is true, but it's a minute amount. The good thing about the 9" is they are cheap and upgrades are cheap as well.

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www.grapeaperacing.com (http://www.grapeaperacing.com)

htis is just my opinon, but i wouldnt put anything on my chevy that says ford for fear of the diesese spreading to my chevy.

i agree with the mechanic

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69 Camaro RS, 355ci mild cam, Preformer rpm intake, edelbrock 600 carb, 350 turbo w/ shift kit 2500 stall, 10 bolt 2.73 any more questions ask

I believe the 8.8 Ford rear end will be the 9'' and the 12 bolt of the future.I really can't see why people havent picked up on it by now.Built right there bullet proof,theres a blue million of them in junk yards.From the mid 80s on about 90% of all rear wheel drive Fords have them.Ive built a lot of them over the years,from street to NMCA racers.I believe its the most overlooked rearend out there.

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69 Camaro SS 350 4 speed
55 Belair Sedan Pro Street 355 auto 9''

gene,
I agree. The 8.8 is very close to the 12 bolt in most areas, such as strength . The only problems I see with them is that most only have 28 spline axles and the Traction Lok is not as good as the Eaton posi used in the 12 bolt. Eaton has now come out with a 31 spline unit for the 8.8, so with this and a set of Moser 31 spline axles, the 8.8 will be better than ever.

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'69 RS/SS396 pro street
427/4spd/9"

what has to be done to a 8.8 to make it strong,im curius because as a mech. ive always thought of them to be weak(i mean weak by chevy standards,i guess by ford standards there pretty strong. http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif

I have a 9" Ford with the Strange aluminum center section with the 12 bolt gears in my low 10 sec 81 Camaro and have a zillion runs with no problems.