i keep hearing about these new 8.8 conversion rear ends for the f-body, but will they hold up to over 600 hp? i also keep hearing that the 12 bolts aren't holding up too well. gonna have to do something pretty soon, so give me some ideas.

 

if you plan to launch hard at the track on slicks with a manual, parts are gonna break. With that said, I have had good luck with my 12bolt, even tho its a Posi rear (lockers are stronger).

the 9" is a step up, although not a lot. the posi unit is still the weak link. i would stay away from the 8.8

 

i thought the 8.8 was able to hold quite a bit of power.....near a 12 bolt.

how much are the mustang guys able to put through them on launches?

 

The 8.8 is a good rear for the money ... I've got a friend in Houston that did the 8.8 hybrid swap in his 96 Z28, and he told me that a 31 spline 8.8 setup will provide 12 bolt strength, but for a fraction of the cost (not to mention the 8.8 parts are VERY plentiful and VERY cheap). Here's what he told me about the install:

You can find complete 8.8s with posi / 3.55 gears for $150 and sometimes less. This is flange to flange. Cut off the legs from your 10 bolt, cut off *most* of the legs of the 8.8. Machine sleeves/couplers to mate the differing diameters of the 10 bolt/8.8 tubes and TIG weld. Moser axles that mate the 8.8 31 spline end with the f-body specific wheel bearing/flange are $225 a pair.

I guess that you'd have to weld up a braket to mount the torque arm as well, but if you can get through the process above, the torque arm mount shouldn't be too bad. All things considered, it seems like a good alternative to the current 12 bolt / 9" offereings.

 

Oh, almost forgot - it's not uncommon to see 9 second mustangs with 140+ trap speeds with the 8.8!

 

The 8.8 is definitely a step up from the 10-bolts in these cars. However, for the price you'd pay EC for a pre-made one, just get a 12-bolt or 9".

BTW, what does this have to do with a turbo 383??

 

umm......$375 materials plus X labor for a 8.8......or $2000 for a 12 bolt........tough choice!


btw, sorry to the original poster this thread got off topic, maybe a mod can split it up.

 

I guess this belongs in drivetrains, but...

Anyone want to comment on the weight of the 8.8 compared to 12 bolt and 9" (I believe it's lighter), and also how much power it takes up compared to the others?

 

If you can do most of it or have most of it done yourself, the 8.8 is a good idea...if your going to buy one premade from whoever that guy is thats selling them, its really not such a good deal...he's asking $1500 or so for them, just save up another $500 and get a 12 bolt.

 

I meant buying through Extreme Chassis. $1750 through them or like you said, $400+labor (even cheaper if you DIY). But for $1750, I'd throw another $300 and get a 12-bolt.

Hell, you can get a helluva 9" made for $1200. No ABS or anything, but oh well.

 

When I contacted extreme chassis it was *more* than a 12 bolt. Of course I wanted "upgraded" items - forged moser axles, HD posi, HD yoke, TA girdle, etc. Total came to 2250 if I picked it up, *with* a trade in.

Weight wise the 8.8 is still about 20lbs lighter than the 12 bolt, but I would still have strength concerns. It would probably be fine most of the time, but the gears are still a bit weaker than 12 bolt gears - but mainly, there is no nodular housing available. I blew up a non-nodular housing on a 9", so I would have a hard time feeling confident in a non-nodular 8.8. (All the f-body centersections I have seen for 12bolts are nodular).

If I could have gotten one with the good equipment for 1500-1700 I may have considered it, but at 2250 for a decently strong setup (comparable to the 12 bolt, though slightly weaker AND lighter) it didn't seem like a good call. I picked up a used 12 bolt with a brand new set of gears/rebuilt posi, etc. for 2000 out the door.

 

Jordon is about to install a turbo on my 383 LT1 and i was just wondering what the best route was. looks like a 12 bolt from what i'm hearing.

 

383WS6, let me know what you decide to do with the rear. Maybe we can start a group purchase. I am going back to a blower and a transbrake. Don't think rear will like it.

 

I actually have a 12bolt for sale.. works even better because you are local...


http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...hreadid=213859

lemmyknow asap.

 

Jordon, you're gonna get rich off of me. still don't know exactly how i got involved with you, but it seems to be working out for the better. got anything else for sale that i'm gonna need? lol

i'll probably take the rearend, but aren't 3:73's a little much?