I have a 66 malibu, and im currently in the process of a full body off resto. I want to make sure everything is the way it needs to be before I put the body back on the frame.

I will be running a mild street/strip setup and I want the suspension and rear end to hold up. I thought of swapping to a ford 9 inch, but I don't know if the susp setup will warrant that because of the two stabilizer bars attached to the center section on the factory rearend. Has anyone ever done this and what does it involve?

I am planning on running a stroker SB with over 400 hp and 400 ft lbs of torque. Will the factory rearend even hold up to this abuse? I will be running a powerglide too. Also, if the rearend is good enough to use, how can I find out what the ratio is?

When you box in the frame, what areas are good to do this? Thanks for the replies, john

many of the aftermarket differential companies sell a bolt-in 9 inch for A bodys but they are pricey. Just get yourself a good 12 bolt posi and you'll be good.