Putting 9 inches in

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

OFM if your going to spend that kind of cash why not go with a quick change???????you would have unlimited gear selection and you can change them in 10 minutes or less.

Frankly, with this kind of stuff you're into the cost of an IRS. I can see why builders who want to keep the cost down go with a solid axle, and why those to whom straight-line performance is a major issue stay with them, but if you're going to get all fancy-dancy with your rear suspension you should - IMVHO - put the money into a solid IRS setup.

You can even build them around a 9-inch center.

[dvcobra]

I have a 9 inch Currie rear end made to fit with the 8.8 upper and lower control arms, 3.73 gears and LOVE it (I road course and drive on the street). This is a great looking, well designed rear end your proposing. You will probably end up doing some custom fabrication to recieve the upper and lower control arms. I had to relocate the tabs for the uppers on the housing because the angle was different.
It is much heavier unit but if you are planning of racing (road course or drag) you will be happy.
I also have a 3.55 pumpkin for the 9 inch that I'm considering selling. Always planned on swapping back and forth for the track and street but got too lazy and found that I still run at 2300-2500 rpm (5th gear @ 75mph) on the highway with the 3.73's and it's not worth changing out every time.
Good Luck and nice choice.

[Double Venom]

dvcobra makes an excellent point! When you have a custom rear end made whether 9" or not, tell your supplier to make it exactly the full width of the 8.8 with the pumpkin placed as an 8.8 (8.8 pumpkins are NOT centered in the rear end!) and the brackets need to be welded in the same location and angle as an 8.8!

Just thought you'd like to know.
DV

[onefastmustang]

Thanks guys for the tips. I haven't ordered it just yet. But I am itching to do so. I am going to wait a few more weeks. We still have several good weeks of driving weather here and I hate to rip my car apart and miss any since I spent 3 months on my back after my motorcycle injury and can finally get in and out of the car.

[Cobra Tracks]

I just got a cobra with a 8.8 behind a C-4 and a 514. the car was used almost exclusively for drag racing before I got it and the 8.8 seems to be fine. I have a 9" in my shop and I'm considering it because I can change the gears so easily. Plus isn't the 8.8 a "C" clip set up?
Many years ago when I raced a 67 GTO I remember an axle coming out of the housing when the "C" clip broke.
Steve Hodges