An aluminum centered 9" is lighter overall, allows much easier gear and posi swaps, and doesn't rely on C-clips to retain the axles. The ring gear is slightly larger, pinion bearings are larger, and you just have more options for internals. I am a die hard Chevy fan but I would use a 9" over a 12 bolt everytime if I was starting without anything...

Most of us are referring to a 12 bolt with big ford ends and bolt in axles.

Same here. 9" housings are much more friendly for attaching suspension brackets. With power engines make nowdays, I wouldn't worry about the extra power needed for the 9".

Since we sell quite a few rears and suspension we run into this question everyday. A lot of old timers will tell you a 9" is stronger then a 12 bolt................... Welcome to 1987! Back in the day, if you was on the cheap, you could snag a 9" from a truck and it was strong as hell. There were not a real strong aftermarket for 12 bolts, only spools for a long time which are not real street friendly.

Now with the 33 and even 35 spline Tru Trac differentials, support covers, Ford 3.15 bearing ends, bolt in Ford style axle options. New 12 bolt housings that are stronger then the old original housings, the 33 spline 12 bolt is as strong or stronger then the 31 spline Ford 9". The difference in strength (if any) at our high horse street levels 500HP to 800HP, there is no real worries about either system holding up to the power

For me, the difference maker IF (Big I F) I can use a 12 bolt is keeping my car all GM and putting more power to the ground. Yes a 12 bolt has less power absorbtion and will put more power to the ground then a 9" Ford. By it's location, the pinion in the 9" Ford tries to climb the ring gear stealing power the 12 bolt does not give up. It is a small amount, maybe 10 to 15 horsepower, but at 300-500HP it could be 3 to 5 percent and we spend a lot for 10 or 15 horsepower at the flywheel only to give it up to the rear end.

Also from a cost perspective, the cost are almost identical for a double throw down, 33 spline, Performance Cover, Big Ford ended 12 bolt or a Nodular Center, 31 spline, Big Ford ended 9" Ford. So for me..........my choice is a 12 bolt....................IF I can use a 12 bolt!

Now, with all the said, I just got my new suspension yesterday for our next shop project...........and it is a Fabricated 9"! But it also runs a watts link and that is another subject entirely! (no watts link with a 12 bolt). And at our horsepower levels, we will be giving up less then 1% power (you do the math) because of the 9", so we have 10 to 15 horsepower to give up.

Now how was that for making a strong arguement for 12 bolts and then muddying things up at the last second!

Hey Frank, bring that 9" Ford out for an ass whippin.:D

I agree with you all the way, mostly. Yup, the ford 9" got its rep from the days when a guy could go to the scrap yard and pull a truck rear end out and go for it. Man!! I wished I was part of those days. When garage racers and car builders did what they could to make fast cars. Before all of the aftermarket suppliers made it so you can get ANYTHING. Dont get me wrong. I love the fact that we can buy anything now. Im just thinking about the nostalgic part of it. Back when buddies and neighbors got together and got greasy working with scrap yard parts to build some fun rides. Now its all clean and sterile. Now I look up and down my street of 20 houses and not one guy has any grease under his finger nails or permanently implanted in his finger prints. I may be living in the wrong part of town.

I went with a 9" for only one reason. At the time, 1996, I didnt have enough faith in my ability to set up the gears in the rear end. The gear mesh and tolerances. And I didnt have a means for transporting a rear end to the mechanic. But I could have reider racing set up a nice 9" center section and mail it to me. Convenience is what did it for me. And Im sure for some racers that is a plus. To be able to have two or three centers sitting around with different ratios. For what ever track they are gonna run. Quick easy gear changes. Almost a cartridge setup.

Oh, but as far as the watts link and a 12 bolt go. Ummm, yes, they can live together. Here is mine that will work with a 12 bolt. Its on a ford 9". But I can make it work with the 12 bolt just the same. :) JR

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...l%20pics/c.jpg

;) Now, I see all the posts here about racing. Man!!! Gets me itching :unibrow: I always said I wont race this pathetic nova. But just for fun Id love to track it just to see. For my own enjoyment. I know it wont even come close to the camaros that are around here :_paranoid But.... I have a feeling it would be a lil surprising. Why are all the tracks so far away :mad: JR

I only got Frank by 32 seconds in his 2010 SS on the road course at RTTC. (I've took shorter naps)I'm sure that 9 inch parasitic drain will only take him back to 33 seconds or so. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I can't wait for this response!

i have the 33 spline moser12 bolt, and it is a stout piece.. fro me the decider was the lower paracitic drag of the 12 bolt.. it might just be 4% difference but at 500 rwhp thats 20 free rwhp.... I ordered the housing ends as big ford.. so thats one c-clip arguement down the drain...

just be sure to get it with screw in studs, mine is press in and it was a bit of a biatch finding the right knurl for the longer studs

if you really want the option of fast diff chance i would go with a currie track 9 housing and a richmond alluminum 12 bolt ring and pinion / 9 inch drop out centersection.. but when was the last time you changed diff at the track? (and if you actually need to do that often.. then you should propably get a champ car quick change)

Thanks Chris. :cheers: