I am beginning an LS1 FC swap this summer. I come from the bimmer world far on the other side of the world where mountings kits are in the 5 digit range.

I've been looking mostly into turbo II's because of their larger rear end. I came across some info that implied that the stock rear end would be good until the low tens.


Are the halfshafts and differential from a non turbo FC strong enough to get into the tens? I am looking for reliability here.


I'll always want more, but I'll probably go with granny's ford diff when the time comes.

 

find a t2, or find any 5lug fc and get a t2 rearend. t2 rears are usually good for the low 10s before you have to worry.

 

actually if I were you I would find a cheaper NA model with a blown motor and just swap the turbo diff into it.

 

the NA rear can take some decent power levels, but the turbo rear end is better. Then agian, it would be cheaper to get a GXL (NA model) with a blown motor, then get a turbo rear end and hlaf shavles for it.

 

NA rear end safe until 300-350 hp depending on traction sticky tires or not.

 

Either a TII or GXL (then swap diff). Swapping out the 4-lug setup is a pain and a stupid expense I should have thought about.

Good Luck!

 

I am not a 2nd gen guy, but I strongly recommend you get one with the 5 lug wheels and those nice 4-pot brakes - I have adapted them on my 1st gen car and they are excellent.

I also think anyone going to all that trouble should buy the nicest car you can afford. I really got lucky a few years ago and found a 1984 with 63,000 miiles and a dead motor!

 

S4 sport, T2 rear [/thread]