I am going to replace the rearend in my Nova. How is the Moser 12 Bolt. I have seen two or three reviews on the web about noise issues. Also, talked to a local repair shop that said these are made in China and quality is poor. Anyone have problems with these rearends??

Thanks for the help. :thumbsup:

There is nothing wrong with Moser Engineering products. But if you are not racing the car or you don't have a 500 + HP engine, you don't need a 12 bolt. Find an 8.5 GM rear that is the same width and build that up. Talk to Freddie Byers (Biggearhead). He can hook you up with all of the parts you need to build one strong rear end. He also has units ready to go.

Moser rear ends are not made in China (though the center section could have been cast there out of higher nickel content iron than the stock Spicer unit, I do not know if it was or not); but they are fully CNC machined here in the states.

Any rear end will make noise if set up incorrectly. So the question is to those who claim they make noise is who set up the rear end. The Moser has a stronger thicker center section and uses thicker wall axel tubes that are fully welded to the housing (Spicer used a plug weld), and steel main caps with larger bolts. If you are making in excess of 450 horse[power and think you will be running slicks it is time to think 12 bolt rear end (the 8.5" rear end fully prepped with aftermarket parts and 30 spline 12 bolt axels will hold up to about 500 horsepower reliably).

Before Moser started (and everyone else started copying them with a Me Too attitude) casting a new rear end bare 12 bolt housings were selling for $500 to $700 dollars if you could find one and needed to be welded and straightened before use. Then all new parts installed which made the Moser the cheaper alternative. Now with new castings around hoarders have flooded the market with rear ends they were saving until the price went higher so they are on par with a fresh rebuild price wise now.

The Moser 12 bolt rear is lighter and has less parasitic drag than the Ford style nine inch and when comparing all aftermarket parts the price is comparable for a similar strength rear end (it will hold 650 horse with ease and can be pushed to 750 horse).

Big Dave

I put a Moser 12 bolt in my 70 nova and had a hell of a time with the brake conversion from drum to disc, I wound up having to go with wilwood 4 piston drag brakes that did not have a parking break, something i was not happy about. Moser told me that the old drums would fit right on but they did not. Besides terrible customer service and now really expensive breaks I like my 12 bolt.

Thanks for the help. I am just debating should I spend around $1500 on the old, re-built 8.5s or use that money and purchase a new Moser. My car is pushing close to or a little over 400 hp with a 700 r Trans. Any thoughts?? I will also get in contact with "Biggearhead".

Thanks again:hurray:

Right now your weakest link is the 700R4 as it will shed parts before the 8.5 rear end will. Improve the 700R4 with billet and hardened parts and you will be happier with your current set up at that power level.

Big Dave