Rear end question?

[onefast5.0]

Hey just wanted to get some opinions on a rear end? I found a pretty nice 9" ford rear end,is this the one that I want to go with or should I go with an 8.8"

I got a nice 351,already been to the machine shop and all,guy was building it for a stang and then decided not to do it.Good for me,I guess

[olddog]

If your not going IRS, and you are going for much over 400 hp or if you plan to hammer it hard with sticky tires, the 9" is the way to go.

Knowing that no matter how mild you build it, you will likely want more later. I would go for the 9" everytime, but that is just me. I wouldn't toss rocks at an 8.8" as it is a decent unit.

[Camarofreak69]

I personally would go with a 9" they are stouter that an 8.8. Plus there are more parts for a 9" that are almost bullet proof if set up right.

[onefast5.0]

So it will bolt in with no fabbing to the frame or rearend?

[olddog]

Originally Posted by onefast5.0

So it will bolt in with no fabbing to the frame or rearend?

I doubt any rear is going to bolt straight in. I think you will have to narrow it up for one thing.

Do you want a 3 link or 4 link? I'm not the guy to lead you down this path. Just letting you know there are many options.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by onefast5.0

Hey just wanted to get some opinions on a rear end? I found a pretty nice 9" ford rear end,is this the one that I want to go with or should I go with an 8.8"

Either rear should be fine. The 8.8 may infact be the stronger rear. I know the pinion gear has a much thicker shaft, and it may have a better angle engagement of the gears, leading to better efficiency.

[onefast5.0]

Originally Posted by olddog

I doubt any rear is going to bolt straight in. I think you will have to narrow it up for one thing.

Do you want a 3 link or 4 link? I'm not the guy to lead you down this path. Just letting you know there are many options.

I am not real sure about the 3 link or 4 link?I dont know too much about those.I guess thats where I need to get more information on that subject.

[onefast5.0]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Either rear should be fine. The 8.8 may infact be the stronger rear. I know the pinion gear has a much thicker shaft, and it may have a better angle engagement of the gears, leading to better efficiency.

As far as an 8.8,what year cars were those in?

[onefast5.0]

Oh also I found a decent rear end,but he says it has the bigger ford bolt pattern,what exactly does that mean,it came out from under a truck with 6 lugs?

Also what about an explorer rear end,is that something I could use?

[Got the Bug]

onefast5.0,

There's an old saying that a boss of mine drilled into my head..."plan with the end in mind." Just an observer on the side, but it might help to map out exactly what your vision is so that you can commit to the specific parts for your build. Just an idea.

[onefast5.0]

Thats what I am trying to do is get an idea of what I want and then ask questions to make sure it is going to work for the build.I would like to buy parts as I find them.I am just not sure what to buy though b/c I have never built a car before,but I am going to.

Could I call the people that I want to order the kit from and get information about what will work and get them to give me some type of list or is that asking a little much?

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by onefast5.0

Thats what I am trying to do is get an idea of what I want and then ask questions to make sure it is going to work for the build.I would like to buy parts as I find them.I am just not sure what to buy though b/c I have never built a car before,but I am going to.

Could I call the people that I want to order the kit from and get information about what will work and get them to give me some type of list or is that asking a little much?

If you've whittled it down to a couple of replica builders, I would contact them to find out what components are optimum for that make. If you know you're going to build a FFR, then the FFR owners here will be a tremendous resource.

I've built a basic SCCA production race car, but my Cobra was a turnkey....so I'm way out of my league in terms of what works and what doesn't.

[onefast5.0]

I am actually looking at Pacific Roadsters or Factory Five Racing.I like both of them.I think I just need to give one a call and see how helpful they are and that will probably help narrow a desicion down too

[olddog]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

onefast5.0,

There's an old saying that a boss of mine drilled into my head..."plan with the end in mind." Just an observer on the side, but it might help to map out exactly what your vision is so that you can commit to the specific parts for your build. Just an idea.

onefast5.0 I think you totally missed Got the Bug's point. I think your asking questions about parts as to what is the best part. It isn't that simple, as it depends on what how you are going to use the part.

I don't want to through cold water on your enthusiasm or deter you in any way. However I don't want to see you waste money and time to end up with something you don't like. Lots of Cobra have been built only to be sold at a big loss with bitter disappointment.

Maybe you have answered this and I missed it. What do you want to do with the Cobra when it is done. A show car? A street only car? Track car (what type of track)?

A 9" four link would be a good drag race combination, but an IRS would handle much better in the twisty turns. Budget also becomes a major obstical. Most of us start down this path thinking it will cost much less than it actually does, and the kit manufacturers would rather lead you to believe that than chance scaring you off.

Start figuring out exactly what you want (in terms of what you will use it for), then what you can afford, then what parts.

[Ron61]

I don't know if this will help or just confuse you more, but I had the 8.8 in my Cobra that I sold and had it beefed up with an Eaton Posi and it stood up to the 500+ horse for many years. It was a 4 link. In the Coupe I have the 8.8 with Eaton posi and IRS. The IRS is better on the road course, but both worked great.

I believe there is some company that I have seen that will make you a 9" housing that is already shortened to fit your car but can't remember where I saw their add. I believe it was in one of the Hot Rod boos but am not certain.

Ron

[onefast5.0]

Thanks for all the replies.I think the 8.8 is going to be my best option for what I want to do.