8.5" GM Ten Bolt

[Bud Lefevre]

Originally Posted by Tod Lane

Can this rear end be built to survive 450 HP in a 3300 lb automatic car, or should I just junk it and spend the extra for a 12 bolt?

Any other advantages to a 12 bolt besides strength?

You never mentioned what kind of car ?

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Bud Lefevre

You never mentioned what kind of car ?

"This would be a second gen F body crate motor car" quote from a previous thread by Tod Lane

Jigs up. Bud, it's the same car I brought up in "Starting a new stocker thread". 1979 Firebird T/A for a possible crate motor stocker combination. Tod and I are partners in this venture and a bracket car.


"mew", hmm, teach me to write at 5:00am, good thing I majored in English.

[bobby]

Originally Posted by CrateCamaro

U sure thats the same diff as the GM 8.5? The only rear that I know of that had pressed on bearings was a BOP 8.2. I know theres a difference for sure and parts availability is nill.

YES, it is. the only difference is that they have press on axle bearings. I have put 77 Camaro guts inside of one, if that says anything.

[Nitroman]

Does this particular diff have provisions for a torque arm ?? And do you still have it ?

[2Ton71]

I'm running a 8.5 10 Bolt in my 1971 Caprice. It weighs 3950lbs, and I've been 1.45 60ft. 10.74@125 with a small block. Footbraking.


I run it with a Moser spool, 33 spline axles, LPW girdle, and C-clip eliminators.

They'll hold up if you set them up right. I've ran it with that combo since 2005.

[s10stocker]

When I purchased my 1996 S10 brand new in March of the same year I had no idea that I had a 8.5 10 bolt in it. Now being a stocker I consider that my lottery being that every other S10 I new up to that point was a 7.5. All I did was C-clip elims, spool and Richmond 5.38/5.57 gears with stock axles with high 1.5s and low 1.6s short times at 2950 lbs up to 3300. Now if your looking for a S10 8.5 here is what you must look for. They only came with the 96-03 L35 4.3(W on 8th digit of vin) mated to a 5 speed. They did come in more than one width however being the S10 ZR2's RE was about 7 inches wider. It sure does feel nice to give some input on something on here that I don't feel like everyone knows already.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by s10stocker

When I purchased my 1996 S10 brand new in March of the same year I had no idea that I had a 8.5 10 bolt in it. Now being a stocker I consider that my lottery being that every other S10 I new up to that point was a 7.5. All I did was C-clip elims, spool and Richmond 5.38/5.57 gears with stock axles with high 1.5s and low 1.6s short times at 2950 lbs up to 3300. Now if your looking for a S10 8.5 here is what you must look for. They only came with the 96-03 L35 4.3(W on 8th digit of vin) mated to a 5 speed. They did come in more than one width however being the S10 ZR2's RE was about 7 inches wider. It sure does feel nice to give some input on something on here that I don't feel like everyone knows already.

George, What is the width of the narrow (drum brake) version (drum to drum, outside)?
Thanks

[s10stocker]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

George, What is the width of the narrow (drum brake) version (drum to drum, outside)?
Thanks

55 inches for the regular S10 65 inches for the ZR2. Just crawled under each to make sure. The ZR2 footprint isn't 10 inches wider however due to the amount of backspacing like a FWD car.

P.S. The ZR2 also has disk brakes.

[LNorton]

I wish I could get a hold of a 8.5 10 bolt for a fourth-gen f-body. Would beat the hell out of having to carry the extra weight of a 12 bolt, and still have more gear selection than the 7.5 10 bolt.

[s10stocker]

Originally Posted by LNorton

I wish I could get a hold of a 8.5 10 bolt for a fourth-gen f-body. Would beat the hell out of having to carry the extra weight of a 12 bolt, and still have more gear selection than the 7.5 10 bolt.

What is the width of your rearend bolt face to bolt face?