Rear Questions

Discussion in 'PSI Superchargers Tech Questions' started by rb0804, Nov 26, 2017.

  1. rb0804

    rb0804 Active Member

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    what’s the difference between having a fabricated sheetmetal housing or one of the aluminum strange or Mark Williams modular? One stronger than the other? Lighter? What about the top loader 9.5’s? Are they stronger? How much heavier? Does the need for special tools and complexity to work on out weigh its strength? Thanks for any input.
     
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  2. Marc White

    Marc White Member

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    Strange rears are a little difficult to service but almost bulletproof. I had MW and personally, wasn’t very impressed. Bob Meyer makes a kick ass fab housing that takes a drop out center section. What ever you do try and go with a 10” gear.
     
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  3. jay70cuda

    jay70cuda Well-Known Member

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    Well a fab housing is a little cheapier. However if you don’t have a handle on your setup and do a lot of shaking it will crack!! It’s a given. But if you are good with tuning then you’ll be fine. I’m sure after it’s all said and done it’s only 1-2000 cheapier in the end
     
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  4. 57Chev

    57Chev Member

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    My Fab rear end cracked and twisted last season also it was 8 year old. It was likely just time to replace. I went to the Tim McAmis Mark Williams Modular rear end. It was 15lbs heavier but a lot beefier. Also it's Modular so if there is an issue you unbolt that piece and buy a new one.
     
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  5. Marc White

    Marc White Member

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    Some of the earlier fab housings were prone to crack at the floater ends mainly. Uncle Bob’s housing is a beast..what application are you putting the housing in?
     
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  6. rb0804

    rb0804 Active Member

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    We run a Top Alcohol dragster, but just looking for general information, I dabble in Promod as well. Does uncle bob’s housing fit a 10” ring gear? My main concern is weight vs strength vs servicibility. We currently run a fabricated housing and it’s been good to us, but we really don’t shake the tires that much. I’m a little concerned though because we run the 9.5, but have heard of quality issues with some of those.
     
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  7. TOL

    TOL Active Member

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    A fabricated housing is simply not going to be as strong as a modular housing. This all comes down to machine design theory, not marketing or preference. If you want stability, then modular or the like. If you can’t tolerate say 15 pounds, then go fabricated.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 27, 2017
  8. Marc White

    Marc White Member

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    One other I didn’t mention is a Chrisman. Has a 10.5 gear. Very little rolling resistance. Maybe 10 lbs heavier than a strange but about as bulletproof as you can get. They are a bit pricey. But for a good reason. Meyers housing will take a 10” as will the strange 9” toploader with a few simple mods
     
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  9. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    One thing to look for with fabricated housing is whether the axle tubes are flanged- they bolt to the center or if they are just welded. The flange mounts do add strength but add weight as well.

    After doing research on all the options for my TAFC, I went with a Strange 9.5 top loader with the upgrade to 10" gear. I had Greg Miner set it up. It is the best bang for buck and weight. Downside is working on them and if you want something you can change between rounds, you are pretty much looking at getting a whole spare rear end.

    My next choice would be MW. However unless your car is built for the MW spread, you will have to make serious chassis mods to fit it.

    The Chrisman 10.5" is a very solid piece. It is 33 lbs heavier than a Strange 9.5 top loader.

    The Strange 10.5" is a monster. It is close to 80 lbs heavier than the 9.5. Likewise the MW 11" is very close to it in weight.
     
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  10. jeffj

    jeffj Member

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    Will, are there differences in those Strange top loaders? Will a 9 1/2 or 10" gear set fit in any of them? What are the mods to fit a 10" that you mention?
    I have a top load centre section and mounting plates in a dragster but no other parts for it; what should I be looking for as far as spool, front support, axle, drive hubs,floater bells, brakes and a top cover? Any advise would be appreciated, I had one of these in a Funny Car years ago with a 9" gear and it was very durable back in '89/95.
    Jeff Johnsen
     
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    Last edited: Dec 10, 2017
  11. Bob Meyer

    Bob Meyer Comp Eliminator

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    I have respect for Will's advertising policy, so will just add some facts.
    1. I felt a need for the guys out in the cold that wanted to change ratio in between rounds, and were not happy with choices for 1500 to 3500 H.P. with castings.
    2. With Don Long's blessing, we recreated a drop-out for today's H.P. needs with an all 4130 modular case, CNC machined parts with .400 faceplate and standard 14.375" inside plate mounts that use all Chrisman components. Of course this led to a Billet case, available in 3.875" & 4" spools. 10 bolt Pinion supports w/ huge bearings.
    3. These are designed to fit 9"- 9.5" and 10" generated gear sets.
    More Info & pictures:
    meyerracecars@sbcglobal.net
    619-440-7701
     
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  12. rb0804

    rb0804 Active Member

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    Do you have a weight figure for the 9.5/10 conversion top loader? Does anyone have a weight guesstimate on Uncle Bob’s rear with center section? Thanks for the reply Will, great info!
     
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  13. NITROBANDIT1

    NITROBANDIT1 LOST IN SPACE

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    also chrisman only has 4.30 and 2.91 ratios for his 10.5. I was able to find 3.20 and 4.56 used ones, but rare.
     
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  14. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    Jeff, I am not sure if you have to have a newer style center section to accept the 10" gear. I know it takes a longer pinion support. There are some older top loaders that don't have the 'rib' which is additional material for the 9.5 ring gear. Also some of those housings have a wider spread on the center section.

    One of my customers has been running Bob Meyer's billet center sections and has been happy with it.
     
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  15. jeffj

    jeffj Member

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    Will,
    Then the housing in the car I bought is an earlier one w/o the rib for the larger gear and it is the 14 3/8" wide dragster housing; I've now been told that the funny car ones were 16 3/8" with a 34 1/4" axle vs the dragster 32 1/4 axle.
    I have seen Pat Austin relieve an early one w/o a rib like mine to install a 9 1/2" ring gear (which is really only 9 3/8" diameter so it is only .187" rearward).
    I don't really need a 10" gear in it but I now see the parts for that conversion at Tom's Rearends; larger pinion support 1/4" thicker and his in house ring gear is 9.400" in diameter so it is only .200" out the back side more than a 9" gear set. That might even go in with a little welding at the apex of the Crown between the horizontal ribs at the back. I just found out that Strange offers a 10" option in those housings now.
    I have found an axle and pinion support so far but there are still a lot more parts to complete one of these. Thanks for your reply and info, it really helps with knowing what to look for. I did post a parts wanted ad.
    Jeff
     
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