8.8 rear ends

Topic: 8.8 rear ends (Read 4799 times) previous topic - next topic

8.8 rear ends

March 09, 2013, 06:07:41 PM

Hi I have a 1988 thunderbird sport with the 5 liter v8 in it and I'm pretty sure it has a 7.5 rear end in it. I want to do a swap to the 8.8 rear end but i dont know where to get one. I also want to know if a mustang 8.8 rear end would work or maybe a f150 rear end. I know the turbo coupes have 8.8 rear ends but they seem like they are rare in junkyards. Please help and thank you to whoever helps
:D

8.8 rear ends

Reply #1 – March 09, 2013, 06:18:44 PM

A Stang 8.8 will work, but the axles in the Bird are longer. A Turbo Coupe would be a great way to get it all. 8.8, good gears, disc brakes. I BELIEVE a rear from an '94/'95 is the right width and will also swap in with a little effort. There's more, and I'm sure somebody else will chime in for that info.

8.8 rear ends

Reply #2 – March 09, 2013, 06:23:20 PM

Thanks (: I heard the 7.5 can only handle 350hp and I want to go above that so Im highly considering the 8.8. I have underdrive pulleys, a 65mm throttle body, and a full fuel exhaust with an h pipe and flowmaster 40s. I'm planning on aluminum heads and a new intake so I'm gonna need to strengthen my rear end for sure.

8.8 rear ends

Reply #3 – March 09, 2013, 06:26:31 PM

if your lucky it will handle 350 hp lol i had one snap on me just like that. also i would change out the gear ratio you dont want thoose .273s in there if your pushing that much horse

8.8 rear ends

Reply #4 – March 09, 2013, 06:28:57 PM

I wanna put in 3.73s

8.8 rear ends

Reply #5 – March 09, 2013, 06:41:23 PM

thats what i have in my 8.8 its alot better if you dont mind losing some fuel economy

8.8 rear ends

Reply #6 – March 09, 2013, 06:43:20 PM

Yeah I don't mind. I need a reliable rear end or else im
Just gonna snap what I already have. I'll probably do the swap when I'm around 300hp

8.8 rear ends

Reply #7 – March 09, 2013, 07:18:57 PM

i dont know it depneds on your driving i mean i snapped my 7.5 with around 250 horsepower but i was 16 and always roasting my tires. i blew out my center carrier. id go with 8.8 ( turbo coupe to save alot of hassle in setting it up) then get 3.73 with full posi or a locker for the love of god dont spool it lol its just not safe. but its all about what you want to do

8.8 rear ends

Reply #8 – March 09, 2013, 07:26:47 PM

Yeah I want it to be a street and strip car. I wanna go up to about 400hp and just have a fun ass car to drive around. I think the fox tbird look better than the fox stangs. But my tbird I have now was my mothers she bought it new in 88 and then gave it to me it only has 89000 miles on it so It has plenty of life left in it. It's a 5.0 that I'll
Probably convert to H.O

8.8 rear ends

Reply #9 – March 09, 2013, 07:57:55 PM

I wouldn't worry about the rear too much. The v-6 stangs had them stock and they were 215hp+ in the later years. I wouldn't worry about it until you get to running slicks or big tires. I've had a few 7.5's well over 200k miles without issue.

The 94-98 stang rears would be a good swap if you go 5 lug. Some of the sport and xr7's had 8.8's in 88 and you could always swap the ratio in you want before taking the rear to the checkout

. My 88 crownvic wagon has a posi 8.8" rear with 3.55's from the factory.

8.8 rear ends

Reply #10 – March 09, 2013, 10:56:51 PM

I've got a 7.5 in my car with all the mods listed. I've drag raced it multiple times with no ill effects. I have not run drag radials or slicks with it however, just street tires. Spinning is not what will kill it traction will

.

I do have an 8.8 out of an 88 Cougar XR7 in the garage. It's a drum brake setup like stock. It'll find it's way under the Thunderbird some day when I get the gumption to swap it in.

8.8 rear ends

Reply #11 – March 09, 2013, 11:03:10 PM

If I do go with the 94/95 stang rear end and go 5 lug is there a conversion kit for the front to go 5 lug?

8.8 rear ends

Reply #12 – March 10, 2013, 12:04:54 AM

Quote from: 5.0thunderbird;410854

I wanna put in 3.73s

Too bad you're not in Virginia, I could fix you up. Find a Turbo Coupe with automatic and they already have the 3.73 gears.

8.8 rear ends

Reply #13 – March 10, 2013, 03:01:33 AM

Quote from: 5.0thunderbird;410892

If I do go with the 94/95 stang rear end and go 5 lug is there a conversion kit for the front to go 5 lug?

You have several different options.

You could run 87-93 stang spindles and mark 7 discs, upgrade to the 94+ setup or even just get stock sized discs with 5 lug already.

Do a quick read on coolcats.net. it covers the swap pretty well.

8.8 rear ends

Reply #14 – March 10, 2013, 09:39:08 AM

Just curious what type of 5.0 do you have that is strong enough to break a 7.5 ??? The 7.5 is no world beater but it can handle more HP than people thing!! Basically the only difference in the ring gear. The axles are identical and carry the same part number. A good setup 7.5 is no slouch. I have run them with 300-350 Wheel HP with no issues. Just saying!!

I have 2 8.8 TC rears in my trailer collecting dust. They are around you just have to look harder.