[b1gdaddy98]

also don't forget to tell them that if they plan on upgrading gears you needa get a tlok and tuner....i've heard that NUMEROUS times

[heretic81]

Thanks, mcqueen! Rep added! Just one more quick question... The limited-slip: does that help with low-end power, or is it strictly for burn-outs (which I won't be doing)? In other words, is it worth the extra $400 or so to buy/install it if I'm not going to be using it for burn-outs?

[b1gdaddy98]

yeah, def according to everybody it gives a huge burst of speed in the beginning. i'm pretty sure it'd be pointless to upgrade gears without a tlok

[mcqueen]

Originally Posted by b1gdaddy98 also don't forget to tell them that if they plan on upgrading gears you needa get a tlok and tuner....i've heard that NUMEROUS times

The tlok isn't required, but since the differential has to come out for the gear install, you might as well put the tlok in. And good catch on the tuner. That's required to recalibrate the speedo for the new gears. You could always get a speedo recalibrator, but for $170 more you'll get a lot more use out of the tuner.

Originally Posted by heretic81 Thanks, mcqueen! Rep added! Just one more quick question... The limited-slip: does that help with low-end power, or is it strictly for burn-outs (which I won't be doing)? In other words, is it worth the extra $400 or so to buy/install it if I'm not going to be using it for burn-outs?

The limited slip will be great for burnouts but if you're not stomping on the gas you'll find you have much more traction than with the open differential. I can't say for sure, but I'd put my money on it helping with low end power. Especially combined with steeper gears. Also, you can usually get a decent deal if you get your gears and differential installed at the same time seeing as how the differential has to come out to put the near gears in. And if your car has more than 60,000 miles you should seriously consider a bearing kit from AmericanMuscle. It's around $70 and it's not required but, in my mind, I'd rather have things new and working nicely than to let them wear out and push them too hard one too many times.

[b1gdaddy98]

yeah, i'd rather pay 300$ for labor or whatever then the shop having to take it apart twice!

[heretic81]

Originally Posted by mcqueen And if your car has more than 60,000 miles you should seriously consider a bearing kit from AmericanMuscle. It's around $70 and it's not required but, in my mind, I'd rather have things new and working nicely than to let them wear out and push them too hard one too many times.

My car has 154,500 miles on it! So, at the risk of sounding completely retarded, isn't all that stuff housed in the driveshaft? And if it is, wouldn't it also be a good idea to upgrade to an aluminum driveshaft at the same time, for all the same reasons (i.e., they're already down there)???

[mcqueen]

Originally Posted by heretic81 My car has 154,500 miles on it! So, at the risk of sounding completely retarded, isn't all that stuff housed in the driveshaft? And if it is, wouldn't it also be a good idea to upgrade to an aluminum driveshaft at the same time, for all the same reasons (i.e., they're already down there)???

The differential is actually in the differential housing. When we talk about that we generally just call it the rear end which generally refers to this piece:



If you look under the rear of your car it's incredibly easy to spot and if you do any work on the back of your car, this is a good jack point (although I think Ford recommends we don't use it as such, but oh well ). You could upgrade to an aluminum driveshaft if you want, but it's not really required. Basically you lose some power through your drive train and an aluminum driveshaft just helps retain a larger amount of power than stock, although it's not a much larger number. I'm not sure what the stock driveshaft is made out of, but aluminum will be light and spin with more ease.

[b1gdaddy98]

yeah my 98 has 87,000 miles on it. I plan on getting the gears, tlok and the bearing kit all at once!

[heretic81]

Originally Posted by b1gdaddy98 yeah my 98 has 87,000 miles on it. I plan on getting the gears, tlok and the bearing kit all at once!

Yeah, I guess I'll probably do the same (as long as the wife okays it!)

[mcqueen]

Originally Posted by heretic81 Yeah, I guess I'll probably do the same (as long as the wife okays it!)

Buy her some roses, a nice dinner, and maybe even a little jewelry. Problem solved, no more okay needed from the wife

[b1gdaddy98]

oh lord...tell her it's prolonging the life of your car so you can get her a new one in the near future lol that'll win her over

[heretic81]

Originally Posted by b1gdaddy98 oh lord...tell her it's prolonging the life of your car so you can get her a new one in the near future lol that'll win her over

lol! Yeah, that might work! She doesn't even want to pay for 4 new tires (that I need to pass inspection)!

[mcqueen]

Originally Posted by heretic81 lol! Yeah, that might work! She doesn't even want to pay for 4 new tires (that I need to pass inspection)!

Your wife wouldn't like me then. I just bought 4 new tires because I wanted bigger wheels (bought new wheels too ). The tires on my current wheels are only a few months old (they're becoming the winter wheels/tires unless I end up buying a beater for the winter).