I've about decided to put a hybrid 8.8" in my '98 Camaro. The whole jobs seems straight forward. I can make the couplers for free, the welding is free, the 8.8" housing is cheap, a mustang posi is cheap, new gears and bearings aren't that expensive. The torque arm mount shouldn't be an issue. So, I've already made my mind up really. The 8.8" is way stronger and CHEAP to build. Even if it breaks, it was a fraction of a 9" or 12-bolt. OH, and the gears can be setup on a bench so there's no reason to not get them right (minimal whine) before the rear goes into the car.

My opinion is this, if you can build it yourself and for a minimal amount go for it, but if you're paying someone else you really had just as soon buy a 9"/12-bolt.

SO, if you've ran an 8.8" please chime in and post your opinion of it. I've read recently of a couple of people wanting to get rid of their 8.8 in favor of the other two choices. What was your take? Locals here have been pleased.

Thanks guys,
Ben T.

 

I ran one in a 1989 mustang lx. I had a bit of motor work and a bit of nitrous. The car was a 5 speed and I was leaving the line dumping the clutch at 5,000 rpms off the bottle on slicks. Never a problem but I did have the truck posi in it which used 33 spline (I think) axles. The posi units in those rearends are rebuildable and as I recall we switched the order of the clutch plates around to accept 1 more friction plate. I recently got rid of my 89 lincoln mark7 that had the 8.8 disc brake rear in it and I wish I would have done what you are considering. My mustang ran 11.70 and the rear end was never an issue!

 

8.8 fords are a good rear end as stated above.

but what kind of 8.8 do you have if you can set the gears up on a bench?

the ford 8.8 is a typical salsbury type rearend like a 10 or 12 bolt, not a drop out center section like a 9 inch.

 

One that's a complete axle assembly sitting on my bench before the whole thing gets bolted to the car. Nothing special- just not installed yet.

Please keep the comments coming guys! Bob-o, I did some reading up on adding an extra friction disc in the differential upon rebuild. Good comment to add! Thanks.

Ben T.

 

Setting up the rear isnt going to be easy,while the axle tubes from the 10 bolt will work for the 8.8 alot of carefull measuring will need to be done to be sure the tubes are straight and in line correctly ,If not your suspension mounts wont line up correctly and pinion angle will be a problem.As far as the torque arm bracket that also isnt the easiest thing to make and have it hold up,I built a few for the 9" in my t/a out of solid 1/2 inch plate steel and bent both on hard launches BAD. I ended up having to get one from currie enterprises at 200.00 bucks.Also dont forget the quality of the welds,you will need good penetration to allow for proper strength and seal- not a job for a begginer or even a novice.I beleive its far cheaper to get a 9" of 12 bolt housing and axle package from moser find a used center section and call it a day.It includes every thing but the center section for I beleive 900.00,you can pick up a used center from a yard for 100.00 and rebuild it with gears andbearings for an additional 200.00. so for about 12-1300.00 you can have a rear you know will hold up.