Rear end advice for racing with a 4 speed
That is correct but you can make clearance for the shocks and close it up with no loss of strength IMO. I've been there:
I ran a 4 speed on the track with some history. I twisted stock 8-3/4" axles, broke a 4.56 489 case setup (ring gear/posi failure), broke a 489 5.13 (ring gear failure), and bent the rear end housing itself. I cured those problems by back bracing the housing, using aftermarket axles, using a 4.86 pro gear setup in MP 742 aluminum housing, spool, but most importantly, using a McLeod Soft Lok clutch to eliminate the launch shock.
Long time since I raced but it was all living without failure in my '65 Barracuda running 10.80s in the quarter mile. I think I was launching at 4000 rpms or so. I suppose a clutch tamer may have helped me but the holy grail for me was the Soft Lok clutch. It is fully adjustable and I loved it. They are fairly expensive nowadays though. FWIW.
That is correct but you can make clearance for the shocks and close it up with no loss of strength IMO. I've been there:
I ran a 4 speed on the track with some history. I twisted stock 8-3/4" axles, broke a 4.56 489 case setup (ring gear/posi failure), broke a 489 5.13 (ring gear failure), and bent the rear end housing itself. I cured those problems by back bracing the housing, using aftermarket axles, using a 4.86 pro gear setup in MP 742 aluminum housing, spool, but most importantly, using a McLeod Soft Lok clutch to eliminate the launch shock.
Long time since I raced but it was all living without failure in my '65 Barracuda running 10.80s in the quarter mile. I think I was launching at 4000 rpms or so. I suppose a clutch tamer may have helped me but the holy grail for me was the Soft Lok clutch. It is fully adjustable and I loved it. They are fairly expensive nowadays though. FWIW.