Every SEMA Show has one product that cuts through the noise. It’s rarely the one with the most lights or loudest paint, but the one that draws a crowd of serious builders. In 2025, that product was at the Currie Enterprises booth. They unveiled the new apex floater, a thoroughly modern interpretation of the iconic 9-inch rearend. For a component that has been a staple of hot rodding for generations, this felt less like an update and more like a genuine leap forward.
The classic 9-inch survived for 50 years because it’s strong and simple. But today’s street machines have outgrown it. With soaring power levels, aggressive tire compounds, and pro-touring builds demanding modern handling, the traditional semi-float 9-inch was never designed to withstand the immense bending loads from wide wheels and massive grip. Currie recognized that simply reinforcing the old design wasn’t enough.
The solution is a new full-float architecture. Currie engineered a new CNC-machined floater housing end that accepts a bolt-on unit bearing from a C7 Corvette. This transforms the axle, placing the vehicle’s weight entirely on the hub assembly, not the axle shaft. The axle’s only job is now to transmit torque. This is a massive leap in durability, safety, and resistance to the lateral forces of a modern build.
The most intriguing part is how it blends mechanical toughness with modern electronics. Because the apex floater system uses C7-style unit bearings, builders can integrate GM-style wheel-speed sensors. This opens the door to true ABS, traction control, and stability logic, all run through an aftermarket ECU. The idea of a ’69 Camaro with programmable, multi-channel ABS was science fiction a decade ago. Currie also designed it for builders, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Wilwood brakes (from 11- to 14-inch) and multiple bolt patterns.
This isn’t just about making the 9-inch relevant; it’s about ushering it into a new era. The apex floater is a brilliantly executed piece of engineering that modernizes a cornerstone of the muscle car world without losing its soul.
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