Drag racing w/2500HD rear end??

[dragula]

Hey All,

I have an '02 1500HD 6.0L 4x4 but I have a friend who gave me a complete rearend out of a low-mileage wrecked '03 or '04 2500HD 4X4 diesel. He said he thought it was a 4:10.

 

I haven't picked up the rear end from him yet but I assume that'll it'll be some type of posi-unit.

 

I have a '69 Pontiac Firebird that I'm building a Pontiac 455 for and I have a 2004r trans to go in it but I still need a rear end. I was going to purchase a complete Dana 60 for it but that was going to cost me about $2500 by the time I adapt it to fit the car.

 

Since this 2500HD rear is free, I thought about just having it narrowed and using it IF it'll hold up to about 500hp and some pretty hard launches.

 

This is a street driven car with occassional racing on the weekends so it won't be constant racing. With the 2004r trans I'll have overdrive for the steep gears so I'm not too concerned about that.

 

I guess I'm looking for opinions on the strength of this rear end??? I figured if it could hold up to some of the off-road and diesel abuse that it handles, it should be okay for my plans.

 

BTW, linked here is the car that I'll be using it in. http://www.kytle.net/69after.html

 

Thanks for any help!

[Jay P]

The diesels only came with 3.73 gears, the 8.1 came with either 3.73 or 4.10. While the rear end will hold up to as much power as your Pontiac can put out, It's way too heavy for the car (11.5' ring gear). The rear end was made to hold alot of weight, not race. You are better off looking for a corp 12 bolt for the car. You might get the rear end and use it to trade for a better tranny, the 200r4 is not very strong and you 455 will eat it pretty fast.

 

Jay

[Haulin' 8.1]

What Jay said.

 

Vernon

[dragula]

Thanks guys. You may be right, I just thought that since the axle is free and low mileage that it might be a good choice. 3.73's would actually be my preferred gear too. He actually gave me the rear because he thought that I might want the 4.10's out of it for my truck which has 3.73's. Oh well, if it's a 3.73 then I don't need it.

 

The corporate 12 bolts are good but I see too many of them break at the track so my preference was a Dana 60. Unfortunately, the racers like them so they're getting harder to find at a decent price. Maybe I can sell this rear for enough to cover part of the Dana's price.

 

As far as the 200r4, this one originally came from a Turbo Buick GN which were stronger from the factory than normal and this one has been professionally built for racing (hardened shafts, gears, hd clutches, etc.) and it's actually rated for up to 650hp and comes with a one year warranty.

 

Thanks again.

[Freyguy]

Swap that rear in your 1500HD. It's a much beefier rear end. I believe yours is pretty much a 9.5" Semi Float. So you'd be going up to a 11.5 Full Float. Should be a pretty easy swap too.

[dragula]

Swap that rear in your 1500HD.  It's a much beefier rear end.  I believe yours is pretty much a 9.5" Semi Float.  So you'd be going up to a 11.5 Full Float.  Should be a pretty easy swap too.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Oh, I didn't know that they were different. I really like this truck and I don't have any intent to get rid of it....ever. So, I'll definitely look into that.

Thanks!

[k3500]

You can buy a completely new Dana here for about 1800

 

http://www.moserengineering.com/Pages/Hous...us-moser60.html.

 

They also sell new 12 bolts and 9" rearends for F-body's. A properly set up 12 bolt would last a long time behind 500 hp.

[ZZebes]

If you swap your 2500HD rear into your 1500HD and you are interested in selling your 1500HD rear end send me a PM i have been looking for one.

 

Before i commit to anything does anyone know how much it would run to have 6 bolt axles made for that rear end???

[Green_Monster]

Just remember that you will have to swap your front end with a 4.10 also.

 

Never mind....I thought you had 3.73's.

 

[curly]

I hate you ........... the '69 Firebird is my favorite and yours looks awesome . I was riding around yesterday and noticed a nice looking '69 on a car lot for sale, I plan to go drool over it this week (the toy fund is really low right now so I won't be adding one to the stable right now ).