How much power and abuse will 8.5" rear axle tubes take without bending or twisting? Will bolts hold without welding? Read this http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/axle-tube-twists-gm-differential-278482-print.html
Relevant thread, http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/twisting-an-axle-tube.321457/#post-2682725 My axle tubes are NOT welded. My best 60' though to date is 1.62. No problems yet.
In my leaf spring camaro on 29.5x10.5 slicks 1.25 to 1.28 60 fts. welded center section, spool ,30 spline axles c clip eliminators and girdle cover my 8.5 has lived for over 10 years. Probably 6 of that was the above abuse. The rest was a learning curve to get to those speeds. I honestly feel it's on borrowed time but will keep using it until it gives up. Note that i footbrake this car and use a progressive controller for the nitrous so im sure that saves some of the shocking force to the rear.
