[Verdoro 68]

Maybe I'll add a T/A cover as cheap(er) insurance while I gather funds for a 12 bolt. Not sure I trust it enough to save the rear on a 1/4 mile run, but it's not going to hurt anything.

Speaking of JD Race, he's got a few 8.5s on his eBay store for under $2k. Seems like an economical path from a trusted source.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

Maybe I'll add a T/A cover as cheap(er) insurance while I gather funds for a 12 bolt. Not sure I trust it enough to save the rear on a 1/4 mile run, but it's not going to hurt anything.

Speaking of JD Race, he's got a few 8.5s on his eBay store for under $2k. Seems like an economical path from a trusted source.

That’s where I had mine built. Kinda hard to go wrong, just be sure to upgrade to an Eaton posi with 30-spline Moser axles if you do decide to do the 8.5. Also make sure it’s the ‘71-‘72 Buick/Olds version with the bolt-in axles and tapered roller axle bearings.

Also you’ll be able to reuse the TA cover since the same one fits 8.2 and 8.5 BOP rear ends.

Back in my racing days I remember seeing an 8.5 under Jim Wanger’s red 1974 T/A running nitrous that was driven by ‘Dirty Ed’ Dufrene. The T/A was a stealthy street race car with no really visible traction aids (pinion snubber and probably clamped leaf springs) and it was running in the 9.40s at over 140 mph at LACR’s 2700 ft altitude.

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by b-man

That’s where I had mine built. Kinda hard to go wrong, just be sure to upgrade to an Eaton posi with 30-spline Moser axles if you do decide to do the 8.5. Also make sure it’s the ‘71-‘72 Buick/Olds version with the bolt-in axles and tapered roller axle bearings.

Also you’ll be able to reuse the TA cover since the same one fits 8.2 and 8.5 BOP rear ends.

Jim's got a '71 Cutlass 8.5 with a 3.42 Eaton setup ready to go that looks like a pretty good option. I wanted to keep with 3.55s, but I don't think stepping down to 3.42s would upset my combo.