[etony89]

I got a 91 gt convertible that i am building a 347 stroker for and i need to upgrade my rearend about the same time that i put the motor in it. anyone have advise as to which rearend i should put in there?

[86er]

just rebuild your 8.8 you wont make enough power to hurt it

[etony89]

it is actually going to be drag prepped and pushing about 650 hp. that is why i want a good aftermarket one. i don't want to fry it and be screwed and not have my car for a while.

[usmcsawgunner]

might as well go all out and get the ford 9 inch...you wont ever regret gettin the best....

[etony89]

the only thing is that i heard that the 9 inch is good but a 8.8 is just as good and it doesn't weigh as much. i kind of want to get an aftermarket one but i just want to hear some other peoples advise on what one to get. thanks.

[TtopFoxRod50]

I don't believe that an 8.8 is as good as a 9inch.

[etony89]

that is just one of the things that i have heard. didn't know if it was true or not.

[ryans88gt]

In my opinion, there is no reason to put a 9 in in a mustang that already has a great rear end. There are a lot of people putting down huge torque numbers with an 8.8 and no problems.

Put new axles, bearings, diff and diff girdle in there and she'll be plenty good to 650 hp. No reason to replace the housing, they last forever...until they break. Most aftermarket rears use original housings anyway.

[etony89]

how much do you think all that would run? it has limited slip and i kind of wanted to put posi in it. there are also 3.73 gears in it but what else would i need to upgrade? I don't know much about rearends i am mostly know about the motors and suspensions.

[Stangzilla]

Originally Posted by etony89 it is actually going to be drag prepped and pushing about 650 hp. that is why i want a good aftermarket one. i don't want to fry it and be screwed and not have my car for a while.

Well before you worry about the rear end are you using a stock block? If you are it aint gonna last long with that much power.. stock blocks are good to 500hp.. After that you are treading on thin ice.. How do you plan on making that much power? Supercharger, turbo, what?

[SALIV8]

get a posi unit or a spool( I have detroit locker) but a lot people run spools, new axles, i would recommend strange engineering's axles prolly 31 spline i think it is, and you can keep your 373 it would be prolly good with that much hp depending on your taste

[Stangzilla]

Originally Posted by etony89 it is actually going to be drag prepped and pushing about 650 hp. that is why i want a good aftermarket one. i don't want to fry it and be screwed and not have my car for a while.

Also I would look for a notchback or a hatchback for a drag car. Verts are heavy and weak. Even if you brace it and you will have to to that if you are truly gonna have the power that you said its gonna be heavy as hell.. Verts are good for crusing not dedicated drag recers..

[fogged306]

+1230123234098

get a notch if you want a drag car. The lighter the car the faster it will run with the same power.

I never can figure why people always make convertibles drag cars, you are already starting with a disavantage.

[kngkahious]

sell the vert buy a hatch,a notch is to noce of a car to make into a drag car.keep the 8.8 put a set of 33 splines or better a mini spool, upgrade the axle studs and carrier.then be happy cause u just saved a lot of money.then spend the money u saved to buy a block so you dont do without your car for a while and throw your money down the drain.as far as the 9 being to heavy shot gun bore the axles you will save about 15lbs per axle if u use the big heavy duty axles like i did (44 spline).

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by etony89 how much do you think all that would run? it has limited slip and i kind of wanted to put posi in it. there are also 3.73 gears in it but what else would i need to upgrade? I don't know much about rearends i am mostly know about the motors and suspensions.

Axles $200-$300
Diff or spool $150-$500 depending on what you want (spools are cheaper)
girdle and bearings $150-200


The cheap and easy way to go is to do a performance trak-loc rebuild (replace the 3 clutches with 4), upgraded 28 splines, and a diff girdle.

Altogether that should cost you $400 or less and you can do it all yourself no problem. That is basically the set-up I have on my 88 that is putting down 400 hp to the wheels. It will last a long time on the street, sticky tires at the track might be a different story.

[Stangzilla]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt Originally Posted by etony89 how much do you think all that would run? it has limited slip and i kind of wanted to put posi in it. there are also 3.73 gears in it but what else would i need to upgrade? I don't know much about rearends i am mostly know about the motors and suspensions. Axles $200-$300 Diff or spool $150-$500 depending on what you want (spools are cheaper) girdle and bearings $150-200 The cheap and easy way to go is to do a performance trak-loc rebuild (replace the 3 clutches with 4), upgraded 28 splines, and a diff girdle. Altogether that should cost you $400 or less and you can do it all yourself no problem. That is basically the set-up I have on my 88 that is putting down 400 hp to the wheels. It will last a long time on the street, sticky tires at the track might be a different story.

Well he said he wants a drag car and what you described will last maybe 1 day at the track if he really is gonna have 650hp. That I doubt too...

[etony89]

Why do all you guys try to doubt on all other peoples shit. all i am trying to do is get some opinions on what rearend to use. you guys can think all you want about it and you will just have to see. i will post the dyno results when i get them. all i want is some peoples opinion on a rearend.

[dr.gonzo]

I would trust the 8.8 up to 400 hp. after that I would go 9 inch bullet proof

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by Stangzilla Originally Posted by ryans88gt Originally Posted by etony89 how much do you think all that would run? it has limited slip and i kind of wanted to put posi in it. there are also 3.73 gears in it but what else would i need to upgrade? I don't know much about rearends i am mostly know about the motors and suspensions. Axles $200-$300 Diff or spool $150-$500 depending on what you want (spools are cheaper) girdle and bearings $150-200 The cheap and easy way to go is to do a performance trak-loc rebuild (replace the 3 clutches with 4), upgraded 28 splines, and a diff girdle. Altogether that should cost you $400 or less and you can do it all yourself no problem. That is basically the set-up I have on my 88 that is putting down 400 hp to the wheels. It will last a long time on the street, sticky tires at the track might be a different story. Well he said he wants a drag car and what you described will last maybe 1 day at the track if he really is gonna have 650hp. That I doubt too...

What I described was my basic setup that has lasted me since 2002 with about 40 runs at the strip running 11s ad about 10,000 miles of street driving. Granted I am only putting down 500 hp and I don't spray off the line, but for most of that time I was using STOCK axles! I only upgraded because I wanted 5-lug wheels. How many of you have ever actually blown out an 8.8??? They handle quite a bit. I would never waste my time with an 9 inch, there is no benefit unless you are backhalfing your car. Also I saw that there is a company that makes 8.8s with the larger bearings of a 9 inch, I'd rather do that than put a 9 inch in there.

[etony89]

ya i may just stick with a 8.8 and posi it and do all the upgrades that i can and i am going to switch to the 5 lug soon. thanks ryans88gt.... you are about one of the only helpful people so far. some people just don't get that you got to work with what you got. and some people dont have the money to just go out and spend all the money they want and get anything. i know i don't. that is why i want to get as good of stuff as i can the first time so i don't have to keep replacing it.