ok be gentle with me please, i am new at this::(
could anybody tell me if these differentials are being modified to run faster? and also it looks shorter than normal. ratio?

???? Which differential???

One narrows the rear end (The differential is a part in the middle housing) to obtain more clearance to run larger tires. Bigger, stickier tires generally yields better traction with a bit of weight transfer helping even more. Do you need help sorting out your suspension or in identifying a rear end problem?

Big Dave

There are many ways to modify the rear end for drag racing. It depends on how fast you are going. Most mild street/strip cars use a limited slip differential of some kind and a gear ratio that is a compromise between good acceleration and street manners. If it is a more serious drag car with limited street use then it might use a Detroit Locker with a gear ratio that is more suited for racing. The axles will probably be upgraded and the width of the housing might be altered to get larger tires under the car. If it is a race car that will not be used on the street at all then a spool is used instead of a differential. It will probably have a reinforced housing that has been narrowed and the axles will probably be larger than stock. This is just a brief description of what can be done. There is much more.

There are many ways to modify the rear end for drag racing. It depends on how fast you are going. Most mild street/strip cars use a limited slip differential of some kind and a gear ratio that is a compromise between good acceleration and street manners. If it is a more serious drag car with limited street use then it might use a Detroit Locker with a gear ratio that is more suited for racing. The axles will probably be upgraded and the width of the housing might be altered to get larger tires under the car. If it is a race car that will not be used on the street at all then a spool is used instead of a differential. It will probably have a reinforced housing that has been narrowed and the axles will probably be larger than stock. This is just a brief description of what can be done. There is much more.

my doubt was cause last year i modified mi nova rear end, when i asked for help at hermosillo (the city i live) i had a problem; the mechanics who knows about this did not give me support couse they know that not all mechanics can do a repair (you know what i mean?), so they told me bring me the car and i'll repair it for you, they keep this info as a secret; so i finished fixing it by myself whitout propper tools, only a rathchet and a torquemeter. i fixed it couse i dont know how! the inside parts of the diferential where broke.
and also today and tomorrow we have local reces and avery time that i look under one of this cars i make to myself the same question, whow is it buid?
i apologise obout the term "differential" i used to give a name to the entire rear end. remember i can deal with stock engines but i am new at performance. y'll feel free to feel my teachers :thumbsup: :D :hurray:
can i call differential to the big ball in the middle of the rear?

ok be gentle with me please, i am new at this::(
could anybody tell me if these differentials are being modified to run faster? and also it looks shorter than normal. ratio?


o.k....first...is you rear stock width ? what year Nova ? what rear is under it ? If you have an 8.5 ten bolt it can be built to handle good power with a good posi unit , gears to match tire size and engine power , and better axles.

How far down in Mexico are you? I always heard that the Nova didn't sell well in Mexico because the name Nova means "won't go". If you need help with this, or need parts send me an email. I'll help all that I can. I deal with these every day. I built the rear end in Sammy Vincent's car that won the World Ford Finals in Indinapolis this past weekend.

I can not stress enough getting a professional to set up a rear end. I can do it myself and I have done it in the past, but never again. To me it is much more cost effective to have a professional set up the rear gears as it is very labor intensive (hard on the nerves due to frustration on trying it over and over to get it just right) and requires a great deal of precision and some specialized tools to do it correctly. A rear end set-up is one time when good enough just isn't good enough (to use an English phrase based on a simile).

There is no magic, but a lot of patients and expertise to get a ring gear wear pattern just right. You can buy a whole rear end already set up by another or take your car to a specialist.

Big Dave

my rear is stock from 1976, hermosillo is sonora's capital and we are neighbors of arizona. i think it's a ten bolt. i heard that story about name, i think that happened with 2 generation of nova, on the begining was a little difficult to sell the car but once it was rolling on streets, the sales were up!
thanks for everything, help is always appreciated.