7.5 to 8.8

I have a 98 V6 with the stock 7.5 rearend. Is it worth it to go for the 8.8? I have read/heard that the T-bird is a close match for the rearend in the mustangs, but most of what i hear is for the earlier platforms. Does anyone know if this will work on my 98?

BTW if anyone is looking into a stang stay away from the 98's. Its a pain in the a$$ to get mods. They all range in years from 95-97 then jump to 99-02. The 98 ALWAYS require some kind of special "tweak" to make the aftermarket parts work. I guess i should have done my homework before jumping into the world of stangs.:icon16:

Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

BTW (again), whats up with these one-wheel burnouts? What kind of Diff is back there? Open, LSD, what the hell. Again i guess this is another area where homework would have helped out.....

Originally posted by WhitePony
I have a 98 V6 with the stock 7.5 rearend. Is it worth it to go for the 8.8? I have read/heard that the T-bird is a close match for the rearend in the mustangs, but most of what i hear is for the earlier platforms. Does anyone know if this will work on my 98?

BTW if anyone is looking into a stang stay away from the 98's. Its a pain in the a$$ to get mods. They all range in years from 95-97 then jump to 99-02. The 98 ALWAYS require some kind of special "tweak" to make the aftermarket parts work. I guess i should have done my homework before jumping into the world of stangs.:icon16:

Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

BTW (again), whats up with these one-wheel burnouts? What kind of Diff is back there? Open, LSD, what the hell. Again i guess this is another area where homework would have helped out.....

I thought everybody like the one-wheel burnouts.:tongue: j/k You can t-lok to avoid this.

A 8.8 is a much stronger rear end than a 7.5. The actual rear end itself is larger, which allows the parts inside to be bigger(carrier, differential, gears), thus making them stronger. Many people swap to 8.8 rear ends because it can be more economical to buy a whole 8.8, or a used 8.8 than replacing, and installing parts on a 7.5. The axles and brakes are interchangeable between the 7.5 and 8.8 axles as well providing the differential in the 8.8 is not made for 31spline or larger axles(stock 7.5 and 8.8 is 28spline).

I got that info from http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29525

I'm not sure if a T-birds will fit right.

Guess ill just have to do some more homework. Im not sure what spline my axle is :confused: but im sure someone knows and if i continue scowering the net i will eventually run into that person(s). Thanks for the info. Ill try to keep everyone posted, just incase someone else has questions about the rearend parts.

And by t-lok i assume you mean Traction Lok Diff.

here i go...

Wish me luck...

Why with a V-6 do you need an 8.8? Unless you add some serious power to that V-6 it is really not needed. 7.5 are not as weak as you think. My 83 GT had a stock 7.5 rear-end. That car was dynoed at 348hp and 412 torque and it still had the 7.5 and didnt have any problems. Just trying to save you some cash you could spend on other mods.

Originally posted by GTStang
Why with a V-6 do you need an 8.8? Unless you add some serious power to that V-6 it is really not needed. 7.5 are not as weak as you think. My 83 GT had a stock 7.5 rear-end. That car was dynoed at 348hp and 412 torque and it still had the 7.5 and didnt have any problems. Just trying to save you some cash you could spend on other mods. Agreed!
The reason you car is "peg legging" it is cause, V6's don't have limited slip rear diff's.

Originally posted by GTStang
Why with a V-6 do you need an 8.8? Unless you add some serious power to that V-6 it is really not needed. 7.5 are not as weak as you think. My 83 GT had a stock 7.5 rear-end. That car was dynoed at 348hp and 412 torque and it still had the 7.5 and didnt have any problems. Just trying to save you some cash you could spend on other mods.

I find that hard to believe that that rear held 348hp My friend had an 85 with the 7.5 and he blew the rear and all he had done to it was an exhaust, and my friend's sister blew two 7.5's before she got rid of the car I think it was an 86 or 87, I have heard that a lot of stock 80's mustangs blew their 7.5 rear ends.

right, but all the same, the ultimate issue is this fellow's v6. money and time could be better spent elsewhere.

Originally posted by 76_cobra


I find that hard to believe that that rear held 348hp My friend had an 85 with the 7.5 and he blew the rear and all he had done to it was an exhaust, and my friend's sister blew two 7.5's before she got rid of the car I think it was an 86 or 87, I have heard that a lot of stock 80's mustangs blew their 7.5 rear ends.
Same can be said the other way. I have seen 7.5" rears in turbo 4's putting out some good power hold up fine. I still don't think it's necessary to replace the rear in his car at this point. there are other areas to improve upon first.

:bigthumb:

Thanks to everyone, for all the feedback. Helping me make this decision. So now its off to search the web for some 3.73's. Does anyone have a good Website with them. I found a few and they all range around $120-$180. Depending on the name of the site is really all the difference i could see.

Also i guess i should find an LSD... to cure the burnout problem.

Again thanks to everyone. Ill keep you posted on what i get and where.

The only people to call about Rear-end parts is Reider Racing(Rears and Gears). Theyll hook you up and thier knowledge is un-touchable.
If you wanted to be cheap Early 80's 5.0 Mustangs had 7.5's wit LSD I believe(Some1 correct me if Im wrong). You could yank one out of there but it might need a rebuild.

Then its off to the junk yard i go.

Thanks

you dont have to get a new rear they make gears for the 7.5 rear, but if you can get your hands on a nice 8.8 with 3.73 gears from a Tbird supercoupe then i would do taht if its in good shape that is. your pre 99 stang has POS gears 2.73 ratio.....i used to have a 97, i put in 3.73 and shaved a half second exactly from my quarter mile times so its definatly worth the swap. you can do an 8.8 in your drive way in an evening with the proper tools.

A tbird rear-end mouting holes need to be relocated and if you dont your pinion angle will suck and ruin your times.

Damn.:frown: