lightweight rearend
 

I just bought a 68 Camaro that I am working on the planning for right now. I want to keep the car as light as possible. My planning goes something as follows.
LS3 GM Crate with the hotcam from the factory 480 horse or something like that I think it is rated at. T56 Transmission. How much rear end do I need (remember one of my goals is keeping it light) I was thinking a built 10 bolt 8.5" rear (2nd gen Camaro or 72- newer Nova). It will always have street tires (335 most likely) Do you guys think I should be okay with that rear or do I need to do something more stout as a 9" with Aluminum carrier/housing, 12 bolt Chevy I think is way to heavy.

Tonny

ford 9".
rick k

A standard 9 inch is a couple of pounds heavier than a 12 bolt (which is roughly the same as an 8.5" 10 bolt)... so I believe your thought toward an alloy third member will be the answer to your question.

As for the alloy third member... do not purchase a standard or light weight/duty case. It would be in your best interest to purchase a thru-bolt case from the get go. The difference in cost will more than make up for the durability and strength issue's.

id get the currie track9 lightweight housing with a strange aluminum 12 bolt 3rd. member for 9inch , gundrilled 33 spline axles and lightened ring gear.... also if you run as much dish as possible in the rear wheels you can shorten the rear thus lowering weight even more (and it will look cool)

it will be more expensive than a run of the mill rear, but weigh half and be virtually indestructible

marcus (SC&C) can hook you up with currie stuff

we can quote on all Strange stuff if your interested.
and i'm with Duce 454
35 Spline gun drilled with profile milled flanges are 25% lighter than non gun drilled ( strange really only recomends these for a really light weight car keep this in mind) FYI the smaller the diameter of the part the less critical the weight becomes.
the 12 bolt drop in center for a 9" housing is 9 lb lighter than a 9" case (hasn't been all that popular tho)3% more efficiant.

i don't think there is much savings in the Sheet metal housings over the standard stamped housing just looks better. imo