Third Gen rear end questions

[deeznuts94]

Ok, I was planning on breaking the bank and buying a Moser this winter. As of now it doesn't look like the budget will allow, so I'm thinking of buying a used third gen posi rear and rebuilding it. Anyone have any suggestions or tips? I know that there is one that is pretty hard to find parts for. How do I tell them apart. Have any of you guys put any big hp to one of these? Will it last? Which one do I want? Are there any years that are better than others? I can buy a complete used rear end from Hawks Third Gen for like $300. Does anyone have one laying around that they will let go for cheap? Thanks for the help guys!

[shawnc16]

IMO I wouldnt waste the money. By the time you have a built 10 bolt rear, you arent too far off from picking up a housing and axle package. Save some money over winter. 10 bolt is a waste

[deeznuts94]

IMO I wouldnt waste the money. By the time you have a built 10 bolt rear, you arent too far off from picking up a housing and axle package. Save some money over winter. 10 bolt is a waste

Thanks Shawn. If I buy an axle and housing package I will still have to buy the posi unit, which wont be cheap.. Trying to stay as economical as possible. I'm seeing a lot of these guys with turbo cars on youtube with factory rear ends. I know its only a matter of time once I start hooking the tires up, but I'm thinking I can build one that will last with 450hp or under for a fraction of the the price of the Moser I wanted. This is why I'm asking questions though.

[shawnc16]

It can be done but to get a return on the investment, you need to sell the rear end before it breaks and find a potential buyer to buy it. Just some things to think about.

[Darren]

What kind of power level?


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[CJOFORM]

I agree I would not dump money into one either but what is your power level? Gobs of torque and traction break rear ends. A stock 10 bolt can actually last a while with a good set of gears and a girdle/cover. I've had the same 7.5 10 bolt in 3 g body cars for a lot of passes and a lot of power. The cars have ran anywhere from 14's to high 11's. Albeit the rear end ran on luck for the most part haha but still they can actually take a decent amount of abuse. If you are stock I wouldn't bother using anything other than a 7.5 10 bolt.

[CJOFORM]

I know its only a matter of time once I start hooking the tires up, but I'm thinking I can build one that will last with 450hp or under for a fraction of the the price of the Moser I wanted. This is why I'm asking questions though.

Thats the thing. They will work and then all of the sudden not work haha. Can they handle high power abuse? Sure, but not reliably like an S60, 9", 8.5 10 or 12 bolt.

[scholtmj]

Ok, I was planning on breaking the bank and buying a Moser this winter. As of now it doesn't look like the budget will allow, so I'm thinking of buying a used third gen posi rear and rebuilding it. Anyone have any suggestions or tips? I know that there is one that is pretty hard to find parts for. How do I tell them apart. Have any of you guys put any big hp to one of these? Will it last? Which one do I want? Are there any years that are better than others? I can buy a complete used rear end from Hawks Third Gen for like $300. Does anyone have one laying around that they will let go for cheap? Thanks for the help guys!

Build the engine first, then see what breaks! I had 3 summers of 12.x on my stock 2.73 10-bolt without any issues (Automatic, 415 rwhp, went as fast as 12.2). It didn't break until I poured money on it with 3.73s, auburn posi, moser axles and c-clip eliminators. I didn't set it up and I don't think it was done correctly but that's besides the point.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Build the engine first, then see what breaks! I had 3 summers of 12.x on my stock 2.73 10-bolt without any issues (Automatic, 415 rwhp, went as fast as 12.2). It didn't break until I poured money on it with 3.73s, auburn posi, moser axles and c-clip eliminators. I didn't set it up and I don't think it was done correctly but that's besides the point.

Could be a lot of things that caused that rear to break, but shock load is the biggest killer of 7.5/7.65 rears

[scholtmj]

Could be a lot of things that caused that rear to break, but shock load is the biggest killer of 7.5/7.65 rears

Bearing caps broke to be specific.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Bearing caps broke to be specific.

Rear girdle cover? Seems to be the caps or shearing teeth usually

[deeznuts94]

Thanks for the opinions guys! As for power levels, we are planning on building a 406 for the car. I already have the rods and pistons, looking for a block at the moment. I wouldn't think any more then 350-450 hp. The car has a stock open wheel diff in it now, however I did stuff some 373 gears in it that I had laying around over the summer. The gear set made a huge difference in the car, but without the posi it isn't any fun. My thought was taking the money I was planning on spending on the rear end and buying the pieces for the motor, instead. With the plan of putting less than a grand into a stock posi rear.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Maybe find a used Zexel Torsion rear diff for $150-200 and call it good for now? Just a thought (and the route I went)

[deeznuts94]

Maybe find a used Zexel Torsion rear diff for $150-200 and call it good for now? Just a thought (and the route I went)

I will have to look into that. Not exactly sure what it is. This will fit into my open wheel diff?

[CJOFORM]

It is the diff the ls1 4th gens came with.