9 inch vs Strange S60 vs ZL1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

eLeSthree · 08-09-2021, 11:45 AM

I'm trying to upgrade the rear before it blows to bits. I was going to do the ZL1 diff/axles, but for one, they are increasingly harder to find. I also know of 2 people who just snapped a stock zl1 half shaft with less hp/tq.

It's not a cheap upgrade, so I am trying to do as much research as possible before i buy.

I spoke to a few guys and a couple vendors, but was looking for more opinions from people who regularly drive/race with any of the following:

DSS 9inch
G-Force 9inch
Strange S60
ZL1 diff and axles

I can't find anyone currently that has a ZL1 kit, as they appear to be discontinued. So it would have to be Used, plus would probably need new 1400/1500hp axles.

What do you run? What have you broken? Do all aluminum fab'd 9inch housing move the pinion angle?

*SSE 4 2SS* · 08-09-2021, 01:18 PM

I run the DSS 9” pumpkin, with a strange center section and a wave track diff, and 32 spline axles.

Bullet proof is an understatement… It has a 1350 yoke, which also came with my transmission. I had a 4” 1 piece aluminum driveshaft built and I run the DSS 1400 HP axles…..

With 2000 + RWHP, I’ve never had an issue…I can show you carnage with other parts of the driveline, like a badly twisted 300 M transmission input shaft…. I dead hooked at Lucas Oil Raceway and well… Time for a new shaft…. Diff laughed at the transmission…

eLeSthree · 08-09-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

I run the DSS 9” pumpkin, with a strange center section and a wave track diff, and 32 spline axles.

Bullet proof is an understatement… It has a 1350 yoke, which also came with my transmission. I had a 4” 1 piece aluminum driveshaft built and I run the DSS 1400 HP axles…..

With 2000 + RWHP, I’ve never had an issue…I can show you carnage with other parts of the driveline, like a badly twisted 300 M transmission input shaft…. I dead hooked at Lucas Oil Raceway and well… Time for a new shaft…. Diff laughed at the transmission…

Jesus, 2000+hp?! You know I dont doubt either of the 9inch conversions would have a problem handling what I could throw at them. I was just hoping I could make some dig passes without spending $8k in the back.

Is there a middle ground between toothipick axles and popeye arms?

Ashen 6.2 · 08-10-2021, 05:59 AM

Interested in this as well as I broke an axle on Saturday and contemplating my options.

eLeSthree · 08-10-2021, 07:05 AM

I'd like to hear from people who are pushing the ZL1 diff. Weather its with stock zl1 axles or upgraded. I have a feeling it might be a good fit for me.

What is the spline count on the Zl1 axles? Are the aftermarket axles for a Zl1 diff, the same ones that fit the S60 or 9inch stuff?

CamaroCracka · 08-10-2021, 07:55 AM

The ZL1 axles would not be that bad if you could get new stubs when one snapped. I was on eBay looking at Gen6 ZL1 axles, which are much more plentiful and cheaper than GenV ZL1 axles. The Gen6 outer "looks" the same as the GenV and is 33 splines going into the hub like the GenV. I would be curious to know if the outer stub is interchangeable. I know there are not a lot of ZL1s out there, but it seems like someone would sell the parts to fix the factory axle rather than buy a Surtrack Chinese unit.

I have all the BMR stuff including subframe connectors to prevent wheel hop and it still snapped when I moved to slicks, so I would say if you run ZL1 axles, stay away from slicks.

eLeSthree · 08-23-2021, 12:50 PM

I ended up with this from Ebay. With the driveshaft and shipping was about $3k. Also had to buy the trans flange and some hardware, diff fluid, sockets.

Do you think i should swap out the diff bushings? These things look brand new. I guess if i dont want them flexing I should get some bmrs.

dreksnot · 08-23-2021, 01:03 PM

I would swap the diff bushings to BMR red poly.

You could always order beefier axles and run the OEMs until they arrive.

eLeSthree · 08-30-2021, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

The ZL1 axles would not be that bad if you could get new stubs when one snapped. I was on eBay looking at Gen6 ZL1 axles, which are much more plentiful and cheaper than GenV ZL1 axles. The Gen6 outer "looks" the same as the GenV and is 33 splines going into the hub like the GenV. I would be curious to know if the outer stub is interchangeable. I know there are not a lot of ZL1s out there, but it seems like someone would sell the parts to fix the factory axle rather than buy a Surtrack Chinese unit.

I have all the BMR stuff including subframe connectors to prevent wheel hop and it still snapped when I moved to slicks, so I would say if you run ZL1 axles, stay away from slicks.

Too late, I already bought them. lol. I bought the stiff walled mt 28x10.5x15. My buddy just snapped both of his zl1 axles, but come to think of it, they may have been the chinese ones. They dont look like the OEM ones I just bought. The snapped axle came in these red boxes. He makes 830whp and snapped them both in less than a month on the street running 18inch MT ET Rs. Apparently they are made of Chinesium...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreksnot

I would swap the diff bushings to BMR red poly.

You could always order beefier axles and run the OEMs until they arrive.

Same buddy changed out his BMRs to Hendrix to save his Outlaws from snapping, so I got a freebie! Slightly used, but free!

Still waiting on the damn trans flange to Propshaft NUTS... then I can test fit my exhaust. Hope it clears, this pumpkin is like twice the size of the stocker.

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eLeSthree · 09-07-2021, 10:11 AM

Well that sucks. Gonna have to reroute my drivers side exhaust piping. This pumpkin is huge.

On a positive note, the little testing i did felt great. I rolled into the throttle in second gear and the ass didnt come sideways. I could feel the LSD switching power from left to right side. Huge improvement, and the 3.73s feel great!

I noticed before i pulled the stock axles, that if I spun one wheel, the other wheel would spin the opposite way. But with the zl1, they both spin the same way. Is this normal?

67-LS1 · 10-04-2021, 06:46 AM

[QUOTE=

I noticed before i pulled the stock axles, that if I spun one wheel, the other wheel would spin the opposite way. But with the zl1, they both spin the same way. Is this normal?[/QUOTE]

I believe that’s due to the posi unit. But wasn’t your original rearend posi too?

larry_g · 10-04-2021, 09:45 AM

Sounds like something was broken, both wheels should spin in the same direction with our LSD

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

eLeSthree · 10-13-2021, 05:15 PM

Got the exhaust rerouted, but now Im throwing C0050. Tripping ABS/stabilitrac/TC and all that. Guess I'll throw two new rear hubs (with abs sensor rings) and abs sensors at it.

Can't seem to get this code to clear...

08-09-2021, 11:45 AM	#1
eLeSthree Drives: 2011 Camaro SS 6sp Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Drivers Seat Posts: 1,904	9 inch vs Strange S60 vs ZL1 I'm trying to upgrade the rear before it blows to bits. I was going to do the ZL1 diff/axles, but for one, they are increasingly harder to find. I also know of 2 people who just snapped a stock zl1 half shaft with less hp/tq. It's not a cheap upgrade, so I am trying to do as much research as possible before i buy. I spoke to a few guys and a couple vendors, but was looking for more opinions from people who regularly drive/race with any of the following: DSS 9inch G-Force 9inch Strange S60 ZL1 diff and axles I can't find anyone currently that has a ZL1 kit, as they appear to be discontinued. So it would have to be Used, plus would probably need new 1400/1500hp axles. What do you run? What have you broken? Do all aluminum fab'd 9inch housing move the pinion angle? __________________ 2011 Camaro SS---SOLD TMS Dart 427 FED M311s, ESS Tuning G4 Blower, DSX Triple FP Assembly, DSX FF, FIC1300, Mcleod RXT 1200HD, Edlebrock Pro Flo XT 1158whp 1017wtq. 2010 CTS-V A6 - "Stock" SOLD 630whp 658wtq 2024 F-150 RCSB 5.0 4x4 waiting for tunes...

08-09-2021, 01:18 PM	#2
SSE 4 2SS Boosted Moderator Drives: Bone Stock LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Marion Tx Posts: 15,491	I run the DSS 9” pumpkin, with a strange center section and a wave track diff, and 32 spline axles. Bullet proof is an understatement… It has a 1350 yoke, which also came with my transmission. I had a 4” 1 piece aluminum driveshaft built and I run the DSS 1400 HP axles….. With 2000 + RWHP, I’ve never had an issue…I can show you carnage with other parts of the driveline, like a badly twisted 300 M transmission input shaft…. I dead hooked at Lucas Oil Raceway and well… Time for a new shaft…. Diff laughed at the transmission… __________________ If the car feels like it is on rails, you are probably driving too slow. -Ross Bentley Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you. “If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti If you can turn, you ain't going fast enough...

08-10-2021, 05:59 AM	#4
Ashen 6.2 Drives: 2014 Camaro Z/SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 1,993 View My Garage	Interested in this as well as I broke an axle on Saturday and contemplating my options. __________________ 2014 Camaro SS L99, Ashen Grey w/Black Leather - Build thread - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491561 Mods - GPI 416 w/Custom Grind Cam, Ported Heads & Tuned by Ben, Mag Heartbeat, ZL1 Fuel Pump & DSX Aux Pump, NW 103 TB, FIC 1650's, Alky Meth, Circle D 3600 Triple Disc, RPM 5” CAI, Kooks Headers, Solo Cat Back, Viking Coil Overs & all the BMR Goodies in the rear, Zl1 3.23 Diff, DSS Axles, Gulfcoast Driveshaft, Hendrix Offset Diff Bushings, AFE Solid Subframe Bushings, 875HP/843TQ 5FDP

08-10-2021, 07:05 AM	#5
eLeSthree Drives: 2011 Camaro SS 6sp Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Drivers Seat Posts: 1,904	I'd like to hear from people who are pushing the ZL1 diff. Weather its with stock zl1 axles or upgraded. I have a feeling it might be a good fit for me. What is the spline count on the Zl1 axles? Are the aftermarket axles for a Zl1 diff, the same ones that fit the S60 or 9inch stuff? __________________ 2011 Camaro SS---SOLD TMS Dart 427 FED M311s, ESS Tuning G4 Blower, DSX Triple FP Assembly, DSX FF, FIC1300, Mcleod RXT 1200HD, Edlebrock Pro Flo XT 1158whp 1017wtq. 2010 CTS-V A6 - "Stock" SOLD 630whp 658wtq 2024 F-150 RCSB 5.0 4x4 waiting for tunes...

08-10-2021, 07:55 AM	#6
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,734	The ZL1 axles would not be that bad if you could get new stubs when one snapped. I was on eBay looking at Gen6 ZL1 axles, which are much more plentiful and cheaper than GenV ZL1 axles. The Gen6 outer "looks" the same as the GenV and is 33 splines going into the hub like the GenV. I would be curious to know if the outer stub is interchangeable. I know there are not a lot of ZL1s out there, but it seems like someone would sell the parts to fix the factory axle rather than buy a Surtrack Chinese unit. I have all the BMR stuff including subframe connectors to prevent wheel hop and it still snapped when I moved to slicks, so I would say if you run ZL1 axles, stay away from slicks. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

08-23-2021, 12:50 PM	#7
eLeSthree Drives: 2011 Camaro SS 6sp Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Drivers Seat Posts: 1,904	I ended up with this from Ebay. With the driveshaft and shipping was about $3k. Also had to buy the trans flange and some hardware, diff fluid, sockets. Do you think i should swap out the diff bushings? These things look brand new. I guess if i dont want them flexing I should get some bmrs. Attached Images __________________ 2011 Camaro SS---SOLD TMS Dart 427 FED M311s, ESS Tuning G4 Blower, DSX Triple FP Assembly, DSX FF, FIC1300, Mcleod RXT 1200HD, Edlebrock Pro Flo XT 1158whp 1017wtq. 2010 CTS-V A6 - "Stock" SOLD 630whp 658wtq 2024 F-150 RCSB 5.0 4x4 waiting for tunes...

08-23-2021, 01:03 PM	#8
dreksnot Served USN - Atomic Chimp Drives: 13 Camaro LSX434 TT M6, 21 ZLE A10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,603 View My Garage	I would swap the diff bushings to BMR red poly. You could always order beefier axles and run the OEMs until they arrive. __________________ In excess of 1,000WHP LSX434 \| AGP 65/65 TT \| BTR Equalizer Intake \| Trickflow 245cc cathedral \| BTR custom cam \| Cortex EBC \| n2mb WOT \| ID-1700x \| Brisk GR12S \| RPM Lv 7 TR6060 \| AGP's Triple 525LPH Fore Fuel \| Monster LT1-S Triple \| 4.11 DSS Proform 9", CF driveshaft, 1400hp axles \| Hurst Line Lock \| MGW Retro Short Throw w/old skool Hurst T-handle \| ADM solid subframe mounts \| Prothane Motor Mounts \| Revshift Poly Trans insert \| Moreno camber/caster plates

09-07-2021, 10:11 AM	#10
eLeSthree Drives: 2011 Camaro SS 6sp Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Drivers Seat Posts: 1,904	Well that sucks. Gonna have to reroute my drivers side exhaust piping. This pumpkin is huge. On a positive note, the little testing i did felt great. I rolled into the throttle in second gear and the ass didnt come sideways. I could feel the LSD switching power from left to right side. Huge improvement, and the 3.73s feel great! I noticed before i pulled the stock axles, that if I spun one wheel, the other wheel would spin the opposite way. But with the zl1, they both spin the same way. Is this normal? Attached Images __________________ 2011 Camaro SS---SOLD TMS Dart 427 FED M311s, ESS Tuning G4 Blower, DSX Triple FP Assembly, DSX FF, FIC1300, Mcleod RXT 1200HD, Edlebrock Pro Flo XT 1158whp 1017wtq. 2010 CTS-V A6 - "Stock" SOLD 630whp 658wtq 2024 F-150 RCSB 5.0 4x4 waiting for tunes...

10-04-2021, 06:46 AM	#11
67-LS1 Drives: 1966 Chevelle Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern California Posts: 141	[QUOTE= I noticed before i pulled the stock axles, that if I spun one wheel, the other wheel would spin the opposite way. But with the zl1, they both spin the same way. Is this normal?[/QUOTE] I believe that’s due to the posi unit. But wasn’t your original rearend posi too? __________________ 66 Chevelle with 2013 LFX V6, 6 speed auto, full Hotchkis suspension, Wilwood 4 wheel discs. Last edited by 67-LS1; 10-04-2021 at 07:00 AM.

10-04-2021, 09:45 AM	#12
larry_g Drives: 2014 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 826	Sounds like something was broken, both wheels should spin in the same direction with our LSD Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk __________________ 830 WHP 700 WTQ, Whipple 2.9 @ 13lbs Boost, Flex Fuel Tune by Blevins Tuning, LSA SBE, 3.5 GripTec, ATI LS3 Damper, AFR 260cc Mongoose, ARP Studs, Yella Terra Ultralites, Johnson 2110R, BTR PDS Stage 3, Melling 10355, Improved Racing Baffle, ID1050X, DSX Triple Fuel Pump, RotoFab CAI, NW 103mm TB, Stainless Works 1-7/8" LTH to 3" Speed Eng w/ X-pipe to NPP, Powermaster 9509 XS, Detroit Speed Motor Mounts, MGW, Monster LT1-S, ZL1 Calipers, DBA Rotors & Pads, Bilstein B6 Struts & Shocks, BMR 1.25" Drop Springs & Adj Rear Bar, Pegasus Solid Bushings, Z/28 Wheels, other misc parts.

10-13-2021, 05:15 PM	#13
eLeSthree Drives: 2011 Camaro SS 6sp Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Drivers Seat Posts: 1,904	Got the exhaust rerouted, but now Im throwing C0050. Tripping ABS/stabilitrac/TC and all that. Guess I'll throw two new rear hubs (with abs sensor rings) and abs sensors at it. Can't seem to get this code to clear... __________________ 2011 Camaro SS---SOLD TMS Dart 427 FED M311s, ESS Tuning G4 Blower, DSX Triple FP Assembly, DSX FF, FIC1300, Mcleod RXT 1200HD, Edlebrock Pro Flo XT 1158whp 1017wtq. 2010 CTS-V A6 - "Stock" SOLD 630whp 658wtq 2024 F-150 RCSB 5.0 4x4 waiting for tunes...