I got a 84 cutlass 307, planning on building my 350 soon to put in it. I'm wondering if the rear end would be worth putting in a spoil or locker to make it posi traction. Or should I just get a 9"? I'm trying to save all the money I can. I'm only shooting for 400hp. Will I need to upgrade axels as we'll?
How good or bad are cutlass rear ends
- Thread starter Timscutlass
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stronger axles and ring and pinion for just a street car you should be fine... if you plan on putting slicks on it and run it at the track with high launch you will destroy it sooner or later... a friend of mine ran his 7.5 rearend in his camaro with 28" slicks and he has mosser axles auburn posi and around 450 hp and launched at 2500-2700 . after about two weekends he shredded his ring and pinion and cracked the retaining pin in the posi unit... made a mess of it
What are you using this for? I wouldnt use a spool or "spoil" as you say in a street car. I have ridden in a car with a spool and its no fun on the street making turns. If this is a 100% strip car then I wouldnt use the 7.5. Go with a GM 8.5 or aftermarket 9" for reliability. You shouldnt have a problem with a 7.5 on the street in front of a mild small block. I would look into getting 28 spline axles, an Eaton limited slip carrier and a girdle cover for a mild street build.
It'll mainly be for the street, a mustang I drive has a mini spool, it doesn't make any noise when going around turns but it does eat up the outside of the tires. I do know that lockers make a lot if noise though. I am not familiar with limited slip units but I will check into that and the axels. I won't be running slicks, probably just regular street tires on 8" wheels.
Eventually after I do a 350 swap I'm gonna do a lq9 swap with nitrous, maybe then I will upgrade to a 8.5 or 9". I'm just wanting to throw in the 350 bc I still wanna keep it a daily and still have fun until I get another car and then do the lq9 swap. Then make it more drag but still street
Lockers make noise but they also "unlock" during cornering so you dont eat up tires or snap axles. In straight aways they act the same as a spool. IMO this is the way to go. I wouldnt bother with a 12 bolt because of the widths and the need for conversion control arms when you can spend the same amount of money on an 8.5 and have it bolt right in(with a 1" shorter driveshaft).
8.5? So my stock 7.5 won't be good enough on the street with 400hp for now? Even with axels and a posi traction unit and street tires?
Oh u mean just do the 8.5 to save money I gotcha. Would i have to order a specific size? Or can I use one from another car? Like Camaro or Chevelle or maybe a suburban?
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