My Rear End Build For My Low Buck Street/Race Truck

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Mark Jones

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I've posted on here before about my 79 C-10 long bed with a 3.07 open rear end. Running a best of 13.50 @ high altitude tracks, now its time to turn it up. Locally the last time I had the truck out I had a wheel spin problem actually because they don't want to prep the track, and with the open rear end I need a decent track not to spin. So I'am planning a series of modifications, 1. I will build a truck 12 bolt with 5.13 gears, I will post pictures of the 12 bolt build as I go. 2. I will replace the 2 piece drive shaft with a one piece aluminum shaft. 3. I will re drill the front brake rotors so I can install a light weight race rim/tire combination, at the same time the steel rear rallye rims will be replaced with light weight race rims.
 

CoggedBelt75

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Just a few questions to understand. Driver or building for track? 1/8 or 1/4? Assuming 1/8. You say wheel spin, street tires or slicks. Assuming street. 5.13’s will get you started but need ponies to finish it off. They would be fun on the street tho.
 

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That's steep gearing if the street will be involved much. How tall of a rear tire?
 

Mark Jones

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Just a few questions to understand. Driver or building for track? 1/8 or 1/4? Assuming 1/8. You say wheel spin, street tires or slicks. Assuming street. 5.13’s will get you started but need ponies to finish it off. They would be fun on the street tho.
I run slicks, 1/4 mile drag racing. I also drive the truck on the street and to the track, I will be limited to 55 MPH down the hi way with the 5.13 gears.
 

Craig Nedrow

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Hey Mark, that is fast for a big ol' square, way to go! What are you running for an engine tranny, just curious. I too like to go fast, and thrash my stuff, and just swapped in a slightly modified 454, still running the 350.
 

Mark Jones

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Hey Mark, that is fast for a big ol' square, way to go! What are you running for an engine tranny, just curious. I too like to go fast, and thrash my stuff, and just swapped in a slightly modified 454, still running the 350.
I have a 327 in there with a Turbo 350 trans.
 

Mark Jones

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Some pictures of my progress on the rear end build.
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potent rodent

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u better have the engine to go with the 514 gears. they are not street gears nor are they 1/4 mile gears they are 1/8th mile , u said u want to run 55 mph on the hwy like i said u better have the engine or that 327 will have a short life
 

idahovette

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I had 5.13's in a 56 Chev 2 door wagon that went 12.50's 1/4 mile at Firebird Raceway in Boise Idaho, back in the late 60s early 70s. Then I went to 5.57's and could NOT hardly shift fast enough(4 spd muncie). Was FUN, though!!! Never did run out of engine, all on GM parts, except for the tunnel ram(Edelbrock). Bought GM stuff cause I worked at a dealership, couldn't afford the aftermarket prices.
 

CoggedBelt75

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I had 5.13's in a 56 Chev 2 door wagon that went 12.50's 1/4 mile at Firebird Raceway in Boise Idaho, back in the late 60s early 70s. Then I went to 5.57's and could NOT hardly shift fast enough(4 spd muncie). Was FUN, though!!! Never did run out of engine, all on GM parts, except for the tunnel ram(Edelbrock). Bought GM stuff cause I worked at a dealership, couldn't afford the aftermarket prices.
Do you happen to have any pics of the wagon? I realize back then cameras were never handy. I never owned one until later in the 80s.
 

cland13

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I think you would be better served with 4:30 gears as you will still get the launch you need and will be better on the street. I ran an s10 with 383 / 400 4:30 gears and
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14-32 slicks, constantly was in low 10's
 

Vbb199

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I'm not a racing person, but it seems like for a 30x9 tire, 5.13 will leave you running the dog **** out a 327 with a th350 with not much top speed... Seems like 4.10-4.56 would be a better choice? Maybe more towards 4.56 so you still have a good takeoff and top end?

Again, I know nothing about racing, just 4x4.
 
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