Hello everyone,

I could really use some advise on what would be the best rear end choice for my 69 Camaro project (which I just picked up last weekend :) ).

The car is currently a 327 4 speed with a 10 bolt. I have a BW Super T-10 and was planning to replace the Siginaw 4 speed with it. I’m currently having a 383 stoker built that should produce around 500hp +/-. Is a 12 bolt my only option or is something else that would be a direct bolt in and still be durable.

This will be a street driven Z clone car.

Best regards,

Jerry

The Nova 8.5 10 bolt is a direct bolt in and is stronger than the 8.2 10 bolt that came in these cars. If the 8.5 is built correctly it should handle your combination. The 8.5 can be found in the '71 to '76 Nova and other X body clones. The 12 bolt is very expensive now, if you can find one. The new 12 bolt rear ends from Moser aqnd others are around $1900 and up. Let me know if you need any prices on anything.

Thank you for the quick response and advice.

This is the third 69 I've owned. The last one I sold 17 years ago was my super gas drag car it had a Dana 60, boy would it take the punishment. I blew plenty of motors and never a rear end.

The first car I bought 27 years ago was a 69 SS with the 396 and never had any problems with it. I wish I had that now :-)


How do these 8.5's compare to the 12 bolts. Are the 8.5's just as durable or slightly less durable. What do you think they will handle as far as HP.

Thanks again for your time and help,
Jerry

i had my rear end built prof by a friend of my dad..was your question what kind of axels to use?.......if so that guy put superiour axels with the eaton pose and richmond gear..he said this set up would handle up to 1000 h.p...good thing b/c it cost me 1200 to rebuild the dang thing after the original set up locked up on a 4 lane highway sending me spinning around and into the gaurd rails....felt like going into park from 60mph..luckily i wasnt hurt..but cant say the same for my car but hey it gave me the excuse to finally do the body work i wanted to do and it is right now..

I was hoping to go with a factory configuration, it doesn't have to be the same year but I would like to keep it GM. I'm looking for a 12 bolt but they are hard to find and if I'm going to pay $1000 + for a used one I might as well get a new/remanufactured one.


jerry

importkiller69ss, what rear end do you have now?

The 8.5 is not a lot better than the 8.2 in stock form, but it can be upgraded to 30 spline axles with a new Eaton posi. With a good rebuild and 30 spline axles it is a little weaker than the 12 bolt, but a lot better than the 8.2. The 8.5 has been used in many 9 second cars with good results.

That's the kind of info I was looking for, Thank you very much! I certaintly don't mind spending the money to do it right and now I have a second option. I'll keep my eyes open for a 8.5 and a 12 blot.

Best regards,

Jerry