Ford 8.8 should i buy?

I have a chance to pick up a ford 8.8 inch rearend for 350 dollars. Its got moser 31 spine axles 4 link and a posi center section with 3.55 gears.

Would this be a good rearend to put into my 73? its onle about 2 inches shorter than my current axle (its an 8 inch gotta get rid of that)
Can it handle the abuse of 700 hp?

Sure can, here is a video for you, last I checked Justin is putting 1126HP to the wheels. He has a built 8.8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzoqLiuZHv4

Does it have 9" ends, c-clip eliminators or is the axles the moser c-clip style?

jones wrote:Does it have 9" ends, c-clip eliminators or is the axles the moser c-clip style?

It has the C clip eliminators and im not sure on the 9 inch ends.

I went ahead and bought it

You'll be happy. They are cheaper to build and maintain than a 9inch and are strong when built right.

i seen an 8.8 brake sunday the guy said he had a ton of racing on it.the car he has is a grudge race car and usually runs low 4's.so the 700 hp you have should do good for a long time.

WOW 4's!!!
Yea im not going to be snapping mine anytime soon!

whatbumper wrote:You'll be happy. They are cheaper to build and maintain than a 9inch and are strong when built right.

Now this is Total BS if not then why do most people take out the 8.8 and put in a 9" in it's place cuz they want the strength on a 9.and as for the cheaper that is BS also the 9" just needs a back brace spool and axles and done you have to weld axles tube on the weenie 8.8 and put a back brace on it then you have to find someone that wants to stand on his friggen head to setup the gears under the car , unless you want to take it out a put it on a stand.....


Randy

Thats why you make a bolt on brace?

the Coug wrote:

whatbumper wrote:You'll be happy. They are cheaper to build and maintain than a 9inch and are strong when built right.

Now this is Total BS if not then why do most people take out the 8.8 and put in a 9" in it's place cuz they want the strength on a 9.and as for the cheaper that is BS also the 9" just needs a back brace spool and axles and done you have to weld axles tube on the weenie 8.8 and put a back brace on it then you have to find someone that wants to stand on his friggen head to setup the gears under the car , unless you want to take it out a put it on a stand.....


Randy

They say the 8.8 is lighter and doesn't eat as much HP like a 9". Strange makes a 12-bolt drop out for the 9" that is suppose to cure those problems with the 9" setup. This is the route I would go if I just had a bunch of extra cash laying around for a rear end.

the Coug wrote:

whatbumper wrote:You'll be happy. They are cheaper to build and maintain than a 9inch and are strong when built right.

Now this is Total BS if not then why do most people take out the 8.8 and put in a 9" in it's place cuz they want the strength on a 9.and as for the cheaper that is BS also the 9" just needs a back brace spool and axles and done you have to weld axles tube on the weenie 8.8 and put a back brace on it then you have to find someone that wants to stand on his friggen head to setup the gears under the car , unless you want to take it out a put it on a stand.....


Randy

The 9inch is such a good rear because of the design not because of the factory strength. the bearing retainers instead of c-clips is the nice part as well as having the center section that is easily removable like you mentioned. Setting up a race ready 9 inch cost more than ANY 8.8. ask anyone who builds them. As far as setting them up is concerned you only have to do it once in a while. and they make these things called jackstands or beg you local muffler shop for their rack. I have ran both an 8.8 and 9 inch and DO currently have a 9 inch but if I was in the 1500hp range or less I think i would stay with the 8.8. If you are putting any size of axles in then you have to buy a bigger housing or a fabbed housing and they don't give those away. I have 40 spline axles and aluminum bolt through center and it cost a hell of a lot more than my last 8.8 that I bought from Duffy. The Duffy 8.8 that I had is now in a 5.0's BBC powered 3300lbs mustang and still going strong with the same 4.11 street gears that I put in it. Probably close to 500 passes.

I have plans to build my 69 mustang that came with an 8 inch rear to be around 1000hp and I am using an 8.8.

I am not making but 1000hp in my car but i got rid of the 8.8 buy the time you buy larger axels, clip eliminators, it is not cheaper, if you can find a used one somone has taken out to put an 9 inch in get it but if you are building form scratch the 9 inch is the way to go.

I will put it to you this way how many people have you heard say i am taking my 9 out and put in an 8,8 because it uses to much HP????

a new 9inch housing is less than 400 on ebay set of axels 31 spline are as strong as 35 8.8 axles and a used nascar center section you are at the same price as the 8.8 and still have room for the budget disc brake kit for the rear 200.00. and next swap meet pick up another centercestion unless you are making 1500 plus horsepower you wont have to worry about the 9 but the 8.8 is not if it will break but when.

"set of axels 31 spline are as strong as 35 8.8 axles"

Explain this.^^^ I am not talking about stock parts but race parts just like you guys.

All 31 spline axles have a major diameter of ~1.33" and all 35 spline axles have a major diameter of ~1.50". the axles don't care what housing they are in. spline count is directly related to diameter. 35 spline axles are roughly 50% stronger than 31's.

I am not going to get into a pissing match with you guys but I have built plenty of these for all horsepower levels. You are right, a 9 inch is the right choice for a majority of applications but don't just throw out the possibility of the 8.8 rear. A 9 inch is stronger most of the time but it is heavier, it does cost more, and if you are not using an aftermarket housing it is not stronger in that area.

For mild builds, let's say 1000 hp or less I would not get rid of a 9 inch for an 8.8 rear. If I had an unlimited budget, I would skip straight to a full floating rear but that is another discussion.

I got rid of my 8.8 a year ago knowing of this winters build was coming up so I built a bullet proof rear with 40 spline axles and the matching components. If I hadn't had this build planned, I would still have my 8.8 with the junky 31 spline axles running mid 5's in the 1/8 mile.

I am now Done! Let's get back to some positive thought.

The point is if Mad Mat has no Money why build anything......



Randy

the Coug wrote:The point is if Mad Mat has no Money why build anything......



Randy

Because 1) he just bought a set up rear for $350 that is perfect for his application and 2) he has an 8 inch right now which is junk at that horsepower level.

Around here an 8.8 is $250 dollars with a single track center and factory axles. I am putting a 9" in my 450 - 500 hp mustang. You can buy posi units off ebay for $100 - $150 and axles are $425. Isn't that about what an 8.8 would cost to build properly?

Axles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9-Ford-Custom-Moser-Axle-Package-Rearend-9-Inch-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad1d706c7QQitemZ390067586759QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

rearend
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9-Ford-Fox-Body-Housing-1979-Up-Mustang-Rearend_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad77a4addQQitemZ390162172637QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

tiger wrote:Around here an 8.8 is $250 dollars with a single track center and factory axles. I am putting a 9" in my 450 - 500 hp mustang. You can buy posi units off ebay for $100 - $150 and axles are $425. Isn't that about what an 8.8 would cost to build properly?

Axles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9-Ford-Custom-Moser-Axle-Package-Rearend-9-Inch-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad1d706c7QQitemZ390067586759QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

rearend
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9-Ford-Fox-Body-Housing-1979-Up-Mustang-Rearend_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad77a4addQQitemZ390162172637QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

for 450-500 hp I would just put the 9 inch in like it is after adding the posi unit. Hell I might even just shim up the factory unit locking it up. that's even cheaper.

If there was one right way of doing things, we wouldn't have so many darn choices, right.

JMO, you will never build an 8.8 as strong, dependable and convienent as a 9" will be using the same level of parts. I have quite a few friends with Mustangs that run in Drag Radial classes that have been well into the 4's at over 3200 lbs and each and every one of them have removed the 8.8 and installed a 9". Don't get me wrong here though, even though I think the 9" is leaps and bounds better, the 8.8 will definitely get the job done, there are a whole lot of fast ones out there.

Hey Mad, do you intend to weld perches onto the 8.8 rear for use with your leaf springs or are you going to weld brackets to the frame for using the Fox bodies "4-link" set up, just curious.

paulie9fingers wrote:JMO, you will never build an 8.8 as strong, dependable and convienent as a 9" will be using the same level of parts. I have quite a few friends with Mustangs that run in Drag Radial classes that have been well into the 4's at over 3200 lbs and each and every one of them have removed the 8.8 and installed a 9". Don't get me wrong here though, even though I think the 9" is leaps and bounds better, the 8.8 will definitely get the job done, there are a whole lot of fast ones out there.

Hey Mad, do you intend to weld perches onto the 8.8 rear for use with your leaf springs or are you going to weld brackets to the frame for using the Fox bodies "4-link" set up, just curious.

Now where talking about a different level. Yes for this horsepower there is no doubt you can build a 9 inch that is better, stronger, and more reliable. Now for the 750-1000hp level I can't say that. At that level you are to the point that setting up just the center section is over $1000. The stock center will not work (for long), the Nodular center will work on lighter cars for a while, but one strong hit can rip any of these apart. At that level you really need to move up on parts.

A must with the 8.8 is to weld the axle tubes into the center housing. Those are easily twisted and pulled apart. I was going to build an 8.8 only because I was going to use a stock suspension mustang and a new 9" housing with the brackets for the factory suspension was going to cause it to cost more.

Factory 8.8
welded tubes
8.8 ends cut off and replaced with 9" ends
Moser axles
Moser spool
9" disc brakes

paulie9fingers wrote:JMO, you will never build an 8.8 as strong, dependable and convienent as a 9" will be using the same level of parts. I have quite a few friends with Mustangs that run in Drag Radial classes that have been well into the 4's at over 3200 lbs and each and every one of them have removed the 8.8 and installed a 9". Don't get me wrong here though, even though I think the 9" is leaps and bounds better, the 8.8 will definitely get the job done, there are a whole lot of fast ones out there.

Hey Mad, do you intend to weld perches onto the 8.8 rear for use with your leaf springs or are you going to weld brackets to the frame for using the Fox bodies "4-link" set up, just curious.

I havent decided yet. Im thinking about welding the perches on and running caltracs for that old school look but i need to see how much fab work i need to do to get the 4 link to work under the car.

As for coug 350 dollars is a darn sight cheaper than 2600. Just because i turned down your heads because Im only working a part time job that pays crap doesnt mean you need to run around hating. if you do not have anything you can say nicely then dont say anything at all.

jones wrote:A must with the 8.8 is to weld the axle tubes into the center housing. Those are easily twisted and pulled apart. I was going to build an 8.8 only because I was going to use a stock suspension mustang and a new 9" housing with the brackets for the factory suspension was going to cause it to cost more.

Factory 8.8
welded tubes
8.8 ends cut off and replaced with 9" ends
Moser axles
Moser spool
9" disc brakes

I went to set up a 9 inch from currie and it ran me upwards of 2000 dollars

the tubes are welded and it apears to have the FRPP part number on it not the factory one
What purpose would replacing the ends with 9" ends serve Just wondering.

here is my 8.8 deal ....... it has held up fine w/ 850hp and some nos

Nice!
Im guessing if your setup could handle that much abuse then i still have room to grow

What purpose would replacing the ends with 9" ends serve Just wondering.[/quote]

The 8.8's are c-clip axles like the chevy 10 and 12 bolt. there is a clip inside that hold the axles in. the 9 inch uses the bearing reatiner at the end of the housing to hold the axles in. So in a 9 inch when the axle breaks internally they don't fall out. You are required to run c-clip eliminators or 9 inch style retainingends on all axles for the NHRA rules.