9inch or 12 bolt?

[farm12340]

i have a 2002 camaro and i want to us my nitrous of the line with slicks. what rear end 9 inch or 12 bolt which is stronger?

[LS1Power06]

9 inch is stronger but 12 bolts are still strong

[ntimid8r]

:iagree:

Also I feel the 9" has the advantage because you can swap center sections fairly easy. Another second section isn't cheap but.......

[99RedRagtop]

think about prostock... if a 12 bolt were better they'd be using them. a 9 inch is definetly stronger, but the 12 bolt is more efficent due to the pinion being located higher toward the center of the ring gear. a 12 bolt is not strong enough for the prostocks so they all use 9 inch. a 12 bolt(strange only) will hold 1000 hp in a 3000# car.

[INMY01TA]

Auto or six speed?

[farm12340]

i have a 6-speed

[98Z-28Camaro]

all mighty 9 inch.

[INMY01TA]

Nitrous off the launch with slicks and a 6 speed?? Definately 9 inch!

[texashotrod57]

The 12 bolt can be made to work just about as well as a 9" Ford and for less money. The other poster was correct about 12 bolts robbing less horsepower than a 9 inch.
The differece in a 9" and a 12 bolt is about 15-25 hp in favor of the 12 bolt which uses a more efficent pinion angle.
However, Pro Stock cars have not used a 9" in years. I believe almost every single car uses a Mark Williams special rear. Uses the 12 bolt pinion angle and a ring gear above 10" if I recall correctly.
The average Ford 9" is no stronger than a stock 12 bolt and most 9" use 28 spline axles, 12 bolts use 30 spline axles. To be super strong the Ford needs an N case or better, a Daytona type pinion support, at least 31 spline axles and a reinforced housing.
The 12 bolt is 30 pounds lighter.
One major point in favor of the Ford is that it uses bolt in axles, not c clips.
In my opinion c clips are not only unsafe they are a scheme by the auto companies to sell axles.
Solution of course is to put bolt in axles in a 12 bolt. It's not expensive as you can use Ford 31 spline axles and ends, turned down to fit the 12 bolt 30 splines. There are also some GM large axles that can be made to fit a 12 bolt if you have a lathe and can do the mods required. Moser or Dutchman can will respline them for about $100.
One final thought, the Ford will cost more but it brings more at resell time.
Good luck from central Texas