PeternPlymouth Welcome to the ERA family. First question the rear end ratio depends on what trans is in the car. If you have a 5 spd richmond the 2.88 or 3.07 is a perfect choice for the car. Great accelleration and nice cruise rpms. There are 2 center cases for the Jag Dana 44 rear. One is from 2.88 to 3.73 and the other is 3.92 and above. It's the inside machine work to clear the carrier gear. There are 4 different carriers for the Dana 44 Jag center section. The 2.88 is series 1. series 2 is ratios 3.07,3.31,3.54. series 3 is 3.73 and 4.09. series 4 is out the gate over 4.09. The mounting plate is different on the carrier for the correct back spacing in the different case. (Ring Gear) There are also different splines for the spider gears in the carrier. 27 and 30 are the strongest. Your Jag rear is good for a min of 450hp and torque. As long as you reframe from slicks on the car or smoking burnouts, the rear will be fine. A change of fluids every 2 years. If you want to beef it up, add a rear cover supporter for the caps in the carrier. You will need to add a vent tube to the cover. If you build up too much pressure in the rearend the
oil will be pushed out the seals. As for the tire rub, 2 choices, either raise the height of the car with the springs. about a 1/2" you will need to get the car realigned after this, Get smaller tires to fit the opennings. When is the rubbing happening?? normal driving or spirited driving??
This will also decide if you need to improve on the springs and shocks. For the exhaust I have n't had the pipes fall off the car or the tab break on either pipe. I do install the pipes a certain way. I loosen all 4 header pipes and side on the mufflers with a little antiseize on all 4 pipes. I install the rear mount to the muffler. I then bolt and nut the tabs to each other. I finish by tightening the header bolts to the heads. The other thing to check is maken sure the motor is level in the car and not twisted. You may have to loosen the motor mount bolts, jack up the motor in the car, maybe an 1/2" and resettle it in the chassic. If the car is on a total flat area, I use a small level on the carb or intake manifold to make sure. Some guys have the L/s a little lower than the RS to acount for the torque of the motorunder spirited driving. You can get a small fiber patch kit from almost any auto parts store. Make sure you know how to install, prep the area, sand, seal, and paint or undercoat the car if not, Go find a good body shop to do the repair. I also use a small turnbuckle on my sidepipes at the rearend to support the pipes and keep them straight on the car. There is a little play for engine movement. Hope this helps Pete, Again welcome to the nicest family on CC.
Rick Lake. If you have any problems you can call the Tech line and talk to Bob or Doug. They are both pros at helping fix a problem. Any thing else, Decooney or myself will be willing to help anytime. I'm on the east coast, he's on the west coast. You make want to look into the Watt's linkage for your car. My number is 732-254-3536 after 8:00pm est time. Good luck