axle brace?

This spring I'm going to buy an axle narrowing kit to build 9" for my car as I feel my 8" is on borrowed time. Question is at what point do I need the brace to goes along the back of the axle?

 

I would add it at the same time you narrow it. DONE. Won't have to go back and disassemble everything to do it later. JMO

 

Probably don`t need it unless you`re making 500hp w/ a low gear.

 

What would you consider a low gear? I'm going to be swapping to a 3.00 or a 3.25, I'm probably making at least 450rwhp currently.

 

After the experience I recently had with bending the axle housing on my 2012 mustang (stock drivetrain) I decided to install an axle brace on my 9" that's going in the maverick. When I put the jig in the 9" Versailles housing (which has never been raced) I discovered it was already bent a little. So anyway I got the brace welded on today. I just have one housin end to weld back on and then paint the whole thing. So to answer your question you don't really need much horsepower to bend your housing. If you're launching it hard and hooking up you can definitely bend it. Like said above, if you're narrowing the rear then now is the time because you will have to cut the ends off again if you install the brace later.

 

I agree I would do it now, don't cost much and can only pay off in the future.

 

Ok I'll add the brace when I build the rear, better to over build then twist it later.

 

Make sure you pre-bend the housing ends forward about a quarter inch before you weld the brace on.

 

MavrickDan,w/ 450 hp you definitely could need it,I consider 3.70 gears & above getting into that low category.W/ slicks & good traction bars this is when you begin to really hook hard which will put a lot of pressure on your axle tubes.

 

i just read this...and it's looking like i should have maybe added one when i had my 9" built..does anyone have a pic of what's a good one to build? if i have extra time i wouldn't mind having it addedby the guy who build my rear. car should make 400 @ the wheels + 150 shot. 4:11 gears/slicks.

 

This is my Currie Fab 9. Ordered with the braces. Gald I did. I have twisted 9" before.

 

That looks about as stout as you can get for strength

 

I like the exhaust. What kind mufflers, how loud under car, Is this a street car?

 

Dynamax mufflers! Very loud...
Mainly track car but is street legal... Full interior!

 

Nice! I see cal tracs and adjustable shocks. Did you find the bottom hole on the caltracs to work best? What kind of shocks are those? The bottom mount looks like something had to be fabbed or a different bracket was used than what my caltrac plates came with. Have you found an optimum shock setting? What times and sixty foot times does your car run? Thanks!