Add Strength And Shed Weight With Strange Engineering Aluminum Center Sections

Racers are constantly looking for ways to save weight and increase strength across all areas of their vehicles. Strange Engineering has engineered its aluminum center sections to check both of those boxes. There is a Ford 9” center section for nearly every application in the Strange Engineering catalog.

Each Strange Ultra, HD Aluminum, and HD Pro Aluminum Center Section is made from aerospace-grade 206-T4 heat-treated aluminum. Inside, you’ll find a Ford-style cast-iron Daytona pinion support for increased strength. Timken bearings and seals are used throughout each center section. The center sections use a clutch-style posi-traction spool and standard gear set. A S-Series 1350 yoke is standard.

The Strange Ultra Center Section is paired with billet aluminum main caps and solid steel adjuster nuts. The design is built around rigidity and stability, two things that become critical once traction and horsepower start climbing.

One of the key design elements is the billet aluminum tapered bearing pinion support, which positions both pinion bearings inside the center section case. That configuration helps the assembly maintain alignment under load while reducing torsional flex. When you’re applying big torque through the drivetrain, minimizing flex helps keep the ring and pinion gears in proper contact instead of allowing them to deflect and wear prematurely.

Strange also incorporates an oversized rear pinion bearing, which works alongside a massive set of billet main caps to further stabilize the gearset. The goal is straightforward, keep the gears meshing correctly even under the shock loads that drag racing creates.

From a versatility standpoint, the Ultra Center Section gives builders multiple configuration options. It’s available in 3.250-inch and 3.812-inch bore diameters, allowing racers to tailor the setup to their specific application. With the appropriate pinion support, the housing can accommodate 9-inch, 9.5-inch, and even 10-inch ring gears.

The 3.812-inch bore version adds another level of durability by allowing the use of a 40-spline steel spool with a thicker wall for the bearing journal. That thicker journal helps eliminate the risk of collapse when the drivetrain is subjected to extreme loads.

There’s also a lightweight variation of the Ultra Aluminum Center Section built around the 3.812-inch bore that has found favor in NHRA Pro Stock competition. Those teams often run ball-bearing pinion supports and prioritize every ounce of weight savings while still maintaining the strength required for high-rpm clutch launches.

Strange’s HD Aluminum Center Section shares many of the same durability-focused design elements. Its massive billet aluminum main caps are secured with chrome-moly studs, giving the carrier additional support and helping ensure the ring gear maintains its relationship with the pinion under hard acceleration.

The pinion bearings in the HD Aluminum Center Section are also larger than typical OEM pieces, giving the pinion gear a better chance of surviving the torsional abuse that comes with modern drag racing power levels while maintaining its critical alignment with the ring gear.

For builders who want flexibility, HD Pro Aluminum Center Section kits are available and include the 206-T4 HD aluminum case, pinion support, pinion bearing races, support bolts, pinion depth shims, tail bearing, and retainer plate. The pinion carrier is adjusted with solid steel adjuster nuts, providing a durable and precise setup method.

For racers looking for a ready-to-run solution, complete HD Pro Aluminum Center Sections take things a step further by including everything found in the kit, plus the buyer’s choice of a differential or spool.

You can learn more about the Strange Engineering Aluminum Third Member lineup right here on the company’s website.