What We Did:
Button up the 9-inch and install the Baer 6P brake system
Bottom Line:
We're geared for acceleration and able to stop on a dime under any condition
Cost (Approx):
Bare Moser housing: call for pricing; Complete DSE 9-inch: $3,250 & up; Baer 6P brakes: $1,800 & up
It's hard to believe that with all of the technology incorporated into late-model vehicles that old-school methods are still the best ways to upgrade your Chevy's handling and traction. Our Project F73 Camaro, for example, was upgraded from a leaf-spring suspension to a Detroit Speed and Engineering QuadraLink four-link system (PN 041711), which includes an adjustable track bar, upper and lower control arms, and performance coilover shocks. While the control arms on the DSE system incorporate the company's new Swivel-Link technology, the four-link idea is a classic tried-and-true method for superior traction and the ability to easily adjust the suspension for any given autocross or road course.
With all of the cutting, welding, and bolting of the Detroit Speed suspension components already on our Camaro ("Four-Way Connection," Sept. '10) A&E painted the axlehousing, brackets, and subframe modifications with a flat-black undercoat. Because we planned to add more room for wider rear tires, we ordered a custom 9-inch rear axlehousing from Moser and had Detroit Speed weld its suspension brackets to it.
Detroit Speed offers both a bare housing and a complete bolt-in assembly, in addition to a 12-bolt option. Concerned about getting the correct dimensions? Don't be. Detroit Speed has a precise recipe to replicate its powerhouse machines, and this is exactly what we used. To fit the rather meaty 335 BFGoodrich KDWs, the axlehousing measures in at 51.25 inches from end to end. This is quite a bit shorter than the factory rearend, but with the addition of new mini-tubs and custom offset Rushforth wheels, we had no fear that everything would fit perfectly.
It took a while to get our...
It took a while to get our Project '73 Camaro this far with the QuadraLink suspension installed onto the frame and Moser 9-inch axlehousing. But once all the welding and cutting was done, it's a pretty clean and sturdy setup.
With the housing and suspension in place, the next step was to install the Moser nodular iron centersection featuring a 1/2-inch pinion offset, including a TrueTrac posi-unit and 3.89:1 gears. Moser also sent a pair of its heavy-duty 31-spline axles. Ours didn't come with a hole predrilled into the flange to bolt on the axlehousing backing plate, but A&E used a drill press to create one large enough for the bolts to fit through.
The Moser axles are beefy, heat-treated pieces that measure 56.25 inches, flange to flange. They also have a larger bearing to handle higher horsepower and torque loads and are fitted with longer, 1/2-inch drag-race-style wheel studs, so we're sure they will be plenty strong to handle a pair of slicks, just in case we decide to do big-rpm clutch dumps at the dragstrip.
Along with installing the Moser axles, A&E also bolted in the rear portion of the Baer Pro Plus brake system. We wanted the Camaro to have racing-style stopping power and opted to use this new and affordable brake system that use six-piston calipers and 14-inch rotors in the front and rear. While the 6P calipers look the same as the ones we installed in the front of the Camaro, the rear calipers actually have smaller pistons that help maintain proper front-to-rear brake bias.
A&E Motorsports in Santa Fe...
A&E Motorsports in Santa Fe Springs, California, painted the components with flat-black undercoating and installed the Moser centersection outfitted with a TrueTrac posi unit and 3.89:1 gears.
Moser also provided the 31-spline...
Moser also provided the 31-spline rear axles that are heat-treated and sized for our specific housing.
The axles are also fitted...
The axles are also fitted with 1/2-inch wheel studs which will require open-end lug nuts, but will be great if we decide to add some slicks for quarter-mile track testing.
A&E began the rest of our...
A&E began the rest of our upgrade by installing the seals into the axlehousing.
Once both seals were installed...
Once both seals were installed the axles could be inserted into the housing and attached to the center carrier.
Before inserting the axles,...
Before inserting the axles, the Baer Pro Plus parking brake had to be installed. The 9-inch-style spacer plate can't be used so it's replaced with the Baer-supplied plate.