Hi folks,I'm new here. Looks like a great resource and I will need that now. I drag raced as a kid and now I have aquired a 74 Camaro for street strip duty. The car is not a resto and will also be an educational platform for my 17 year old son. First order of business is saftey, suspension and frame connection. As well we will be working to develop good hole shoots. The car is solid steel at 3600lbs and we plan a 406 small block. This could easily run over 400 and up to 450 HP when ready. I will run 4.11 to 4.56 crown and pinion and have a question regarding the stock GM posi set up. Will it stand up to repeated strong launches at this HP and weight? Should I consider an Auburn or other similar aftermarket unit?

if you can afford it, i would probably get an Eaton or something similar. now's the time to do it. if not, i think the stock posi can take a bit of a beating- been driving my 400 horse Nova pretty much every day 6 months out of the year with a stock 79 Z28 posi unit in it with new clutches, and it still doesn't make any funny noises and always leaves two nice, black marks.

Welcome Camertom!

Do a search through this forum. As far as Eaton or Auburn, Auburn units aren't rebuildable when they wear out or break. Eaton units are and a lot of folks here can attest to their quality.

I would guess that the life expectancy of your current rear will rely on what kind of shape it's in right now..... gears, axle ends, etc.

Good luck!

The 8.5 10 bolt is a good rear end and can be built very strong. You can upgrade it to 30 spline Moser axles and a Eaton posi to make it much stronger than it is now. The stock Traction Lock that is in it now can be rebuilt, but it will not be as strong as the Eaton. Don't even think about an Auburn. You should use a good installation kit with quality bearings and shims. A few things that can kill the rear end are improper ring & pinion set up and wheel hop.

Thanks guys. I hadn't considered the Eaton as much. Some of the local 4X4 freaks I know talk Auburn and Lockright but they are not drag racers. I believe saftey and reliability is a key here so I will likely look into the Eaton and the Moser axles suggested by Big Gear Head. We have time on our side regardless of budget. I am definetly aware of the dangers of improper set up and wheel hop. I rebuilt the rear end on my old 66 chevy II several times in the early 70's when I beat it to death and ultimately ended up with staion wagon leafs. I have seen a few ads for a new device from Comp Eng that looks like an adjustable shock where the traction bar would go. Any comments on this these as an alternative to traction bars? I'd rather not set up the full floating housing affair for leafs and ladders.

The Comp Eng. bar is a copy of the Cal Trax bar. There are many drag racers who use the Cal Trax bar and love it. You should be able to find a lot of information on this sight about these bars. I can give you prices on the Eaton and Moser parts, send email if you are interested.