can you guys share some success stories and info on beefing up a GM 10 bolt 8.5?i'm gonna go for broke(emphasis on the word "broke" ;) ),and run my factory 8.5 pushing approximately(and hopefully) 575 h.p.and 510lbs.torque.i have .456 gears and a powertrax no-slip.i doubt if i'll ever run slicks.thanks for all the great advice!

A 10 bolt built right is just fine.You would need to run slicks and start pullin wheelies before you really need start lookin at better rearend.

Behind an automatic it will do a fine job :D

any beef-up tricks other than aftermarket yoke,u-joints,differential cover,extra weld-on bracing for housing,aftermarket axles?i plan on nitrous in the future.

If you have not gotten the posi yet go to a 30 spline and you trouble free.

I pulled low 1.5 60' times on slicks in my Buick GN and never had a problem. However most of the guys who run the 8.5" 10 bolt will agree that once you get into the 1.5 60' foot time, you may snap an axle.

If you upgrade to the 30-spline carrier and aftermarket axles you should be fine at your power levels with an AT. I bought some Moser axles for around $225. You won't believe the difference when you compare them side by side with the stock axles. After seeing the difference for myself, I'd be hard pressed to ever run stock axles with any kind of power. If you are not going to run slicks, watch out for wheel hop. The guy at Moser told me that's the number one reason for breaking axles.

thanks for the very helpful advice! :cool:

The May/2004 issue of Car Craft has an entire article on beefing up a GM 7.5" rearend. I would imagine you could use the same tips on beefing up an 8.5".

My 2nd cousin runs in the mid 9's on a 8.5". I don't know what he does to them, but they're 8.5" none the less.

bowtie455,
I posted a very similar question a while back in the Transmission and Differential section.
I got some great advice from big gear head , he seem's pretty sharp on rear ends , give him a holler I'm sure he'd love to help. He told me to go w/ 30 spline axle's , eaton posi , and other upgrades I cant exactly remember. Also told to weld the axle tube's to the center housing as these are notorious for spinning if to much power is at hand.
Mitch.

bowtie455,
I should have done this in the first place , but , go down to trans. and diffs. and click on the "show topics from last 45 days" box at top of page , go to page 8 and look for my post "Is a 10 bolt strong enough".
Mitch.

thanks heaps! graemlins/thumbsup.gif