Yes, yes, we’re all aware that most serious GM racecars don’t use GM axles. Nine times out of 10, there’s a blue oval-derived 9-inch tucked between the rear wheels. Of course, most high-performance 9-inch rearends these days share only the design of the Ford axle – all the parts are newly manufactured.
For power-mad F-car jockeys, there’s another option: The Dana 60 from Strange Engineering – they call it the S60. Like the modern 9-inch, Strange’s S60 axle is comprised of all-new components. It’s a super-strong, durable rearend that’s built to handle tremendous power. We’ll be putting it to the test, too, as we’re fitting one to Editor Terry Cole’s recently power-upped Z28 convertible, which is powered by a ProCharger-blown 383.
Still, with the popularity and proven track record of the 9-inch, one has to wonder why venture into uncharted territory with the Dana 60. For one thing, it’s durable as hell. Strange Engineering says the large, 9.75-inch Dana 60 is about equal in strength to a Ford 9-inch, but offers that strength at a generally lower cost. Certainly, cost is a factor for most enthusiasts, so strength for less cash is an enticing combination.
Strange tells us, too, that their S60 axle weighs only about 25 pounds more than a comparably built aftermarket 12-bolt setup. And while the individual components for the axle can be purchased separately, Strange offers the S60 in a complete, bolt-it-in combination with 35-spline axles for many GM vehicles, including third- and fourth-gen F-car. For our Camaro, the complete package included the S60 case and axle tubes with spring perches already welded to them. Of course, the carrier was built, too, and the axles were installed.
