Posted by rickyracer (IP: 63.29.63.55) on September 26, 2000 at 00:03:14:
In Reply to: 8" rear diff. posted by Arnold H. Lester Jr. on September 25, 2000 at 21:51:29:
This diff is fine, most people are afraid of it because it's not a 9" and most people don't know that a 9" is just as weak as a 8" is in most applicanions. They use allot of the same parts. Auburn makes parts and so do some others, You can get a set of Forged steel axles for it for about $325 from Mark Williams. After you add up the weight cost of changing everything, going to a 9" is only a good idea if you're producing over 400 ft lbs of "honest" torque and small blocks for the street don't usually do that. Any rearend set well go to shit if you abuse it. Ford used the 9" in earlier HiPo vehicles because of the metals and technology they had to work with. Most people think the 8.8" is great but it uses the same axles as the 7.5". Both are as about as strong as a 10 or 12 bolt GM.
Most people think that unless it a 9" it won't work. Seems I've heard that said about C-4s behind bigblocks and powerglide trans.
: How good is this diff, and are hop up parts readily available fof it?Like posi units and axles w/more splines?Or should I bite the bullet and step up to a 9"?It doesn't matter about disc brakes,the drums are fine with me,as I will put discs up front.