any happy 8.8 owners out there?
08-14-2005, 10:21 PM
#1
any happy 8.8 owners out there? loking like that might be my best option as my car is a d.d. and rarely sees the track. i justdont trust this 10 bolt whining like it is and cant justify the $$ for a 12 bolt or 9 inch that ill never tap the potential of.
08-15-2005, 09:57 AM
#4
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I have a broken 8.8 housing that extreme chassis made if you want it! The torque arm welds are ripped off of it, and it has a couple of re-welds where the original welds failed too on the axle tubes. I sent craig some $ for a new one which he said he's get to me a week later, that was 4 months ago.
The underlying problem with the 8.8 is how the torque arm mount is welded to the CAST steel housing, it is very weak, a design flaw. You can "try" to reinforce it however you want to and it may "look" strong, but it will also be weak. I cannot tell you how much time and $ I've spent trying to fix this POS 8.8", I could have bought 2 complete 9"s. Save your time and $ and get a 9" from the get go.
If you really want the housing mapquest it to Snellville, GA and come pick it up for free.
Cheers.
The underlying problem with the 8.8 is how the torque arm mount is welded to the CAST steel housing, it is very weak, a design flaw. You can "try" to reinforce it however you want to and it may "look" strong, but it will also be weak. I cannot tell you how much time and $ I've spent trying to fix this POS 8.8", I could have bought 2 complete 9"s. Save your time and $ and get a 9" from the get go.
If you really want the housing mapquest it to Snellville, GA and come pick it up for free.
Cheers.
08-15-2005, 03:02 PM
#6
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no internals I sold all of them. The axles are just 1/2 longer than stock if you order them from moser, I had 31 spline axles, motorsport trac-loc, 4.10s etc in it.
08-15-2005, 03:09 PM
#7
Yeah. I'm not all that happy with my EC 8.8. I've rebuild the damn thing 2x now and it is STILL giving me issues. Turns out that he probably rushed mine and didn't get the TA mounts right (Bad Pinion angle. Ford rears are pretty sensitive to Pinion angle) and the LCA brackets are on wrong. I had to go ahead and buy a bunch of suspension parts to get it right. I have no issue with my TA mounts though. Just welded out of alignment.
All in all, I would have glady paid more for a better rear. Go 12 bolt or 9 in. and don't look back. A couple 100's now is WAY more worth it in the long run. I'm not even sure who is making an 8.8 for us now. If you do get one, don't get an EC one.
All in all, I would have glady paid more for a better rear. Go 12 bolt or 9 in. and don't look back. A couple 100's now is WAY more worth it in the long run. I'm not even sure who is making an 8.8 for us now. If you do get one, don't get an EC one.
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08-17-2005, 08:29 PM
#11
Originally Posted by 00BlackSS
b/c the ta mounts are molded in!!! i belive
08-17-2005, 09:14 PM
#12
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I've tried to hold my tonque on this thus far, but can't any longer.
The failures thus far ARE because the people who have done it thus far did not do their homework. Do a search on the internet about welding nodular iron. There are several good articles on it, it can be done successfully. There are many good specialized welding rods that facilitate the process. It is best done with a stick welder, and generous pre-heat and post heat is recommended. The pre-heat might be a little difficult, but the post heat isn't.
I had mine powdercoated, and part of that process is a 700 degree bake overnight - a side by-product of that process is that it relieves stresses and facilitates other metallurgical processes that I will not go into to prevent boring the non-engineers in the audience.
The other thing is this. I have looked at all the pictures of the 8.8's built to date. The structural designs thus far have been very misguided and obviously not designed by someone with structural engineering training. The torque arm mount bushings are all made with thin wall tubing and other structural items are then jury rigged together and welded to the housing. Additionally, most thus far have been mig welded. Mig welding is an excellent method of welding for most items, particularly because of the high speed, just not nodular iron.
I think it would be excellent if someone would cast an 8.8 housing with a torque arm mount, however I doubt that will ever happen. 12 bolts can be made strong enough wtih the right selection of differential. Rarely do you see anyone snapping axles, housings, or ring gears. Nine times out of ten it is differential failures, which are not housing related, or problems with assembly and setup - again not design related.
I have nothing against 9" for strip cars with lots of power, but they have the disadvantage of being less efficient and heavy compared to 12 bolts and 8.8's, something those of us with less radical setups don't like. That is the only reason I decided to go with an 8.8 over a 12 bolt - lighter weight and more efficient.
The failures thus far ARE because the people who have done it thus far did not do their homework. Do a search on the internet about welding nodular iron. There are several good articles on it, it can be done successfully. There are many good specialized welding rods that facilitate the process. It is best done with a stick welder, and generous pre-heat and post heat is recommended. The pre-heat might be a little difficult, but the post heat isn't.
I had mine powdercoated, and part of that process is a 700 degree bake overnight - a side by-product of that process is that it relieves stresses and facilitates other metallurgical processes that I will not go into to prevent boring the non-engineers in the audience.
The other thing is this. I have looked at all the pictures of the 8.8's built to date. The structural designs thus far have been very misguided and obviously not designed by someone with structural engineering training. The torque arm mount bushings are all made with thin wall tubing and other structural items are then jury rigged together and welded to the housing. Additionally, most thus far have been mig welded. Mig welding is an excellent method of welding for most items, particularly because of the high speed, just not nodular iron.
I think it would be excellent if someone would cast an 8.8 housing with a torque arm mount, however I doubt that will ever happen. 12 bolts can be made strong enough wtih the right selection of differential. Rarely do you see anyone snapping axles, housings, or ring gears. Nine times out of ten it is differential failures, which are not housing related, or problems with assembly and setup - again not design related.
I have nothing against 9" for strip cars with lots of power, but they have the disadvantage of being less efficient and heavy compared to 12 bolts and 8.8's, something those of us with less radical setups don't like. That is the only reason I decided to go with an 8.8 over a 12 bolt - lighter weight and more efficient.
08-17-2005, 09:19 PM
#13
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If a major manufacturer starts making the 8.8 ford or even 8.5" GM rears to fit Fbodys they are probebly going to cost just as much as a 12bolt or 9'' now.
The reason 12bolts/9'' are so expensive is that they have to be specially made with the provision for the tq arm, so the same is going to apply if someone decides to do it with an 8.8.
Its not like the internals for an 8.8 are so much cheaper than a 12bolt.
I think if a shop did start making 8.8 or 8.5" rears, bare housings for about $500, or complete for <$1500 they could make a killing, everyone would want one.
The reason 12bolts/9'' are so expensive is that they have to be specially made with the provision for the tq arm, so the same is going to apply if someone decides to do it with an 8.8.
Its not like the internals for an 8.8 are so much cheaper than a 12bolt.
I think if a shop did start making 8.8 or 8.5" rears, bare housings for about $500, or complete for <$1500 they could make a killing, everyone would want one.
08-17-2005, 09:28 PM
#14
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Agreed with the cost aspect, the 8.8 would not be cheaper, just lighter and more power efficient.
Anyone wanting a cheap rear needs to just watch the for sale section, that's the only way to get one cheap.
Anyone wanting a cheap rear needs to just watch the for sale section, that's the only way to get one cheap.
08-17-2005, 11:57 PM
#15
I have an 8.8 also. And the torque arm mount broke off just like alot of other peoples did. long story short i welded it back together myself using VERY thick material and overkill on the MIG welding cause its is nodular iron. it has been holding up GREAT ever since. it has 4.10's and a spool in it so there is no problem there.
But yeah just spend the extra $200 and get a Strange 12 bolt with a spool. Not a Moser.
But yeah just spend the extra $200 and get a Strange 12 bolt with a spool. Not a Moser.
08-18-2005, 12:01 AM
#16
here's my personal experiences.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/189798-another-one-bites-dust-8-8-rear.html
This is how i fixed mine.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/181434-boom-bitch-8-8-broke-pics-inside-kinda-long-story.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/189798-another-one-bites-dust-8-8-rear.html
This is how i fixed mine.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/181434-boom-bitch-8-8-broke-pics-inside-kinda-long-story.html
08-18-2005, 03:23 PM
#17
wellit looks as though if someone whereto use QUALITY materials and knew how to weld correctly as trex stated earlier then thesebreakages wouldnt be an issue for daily driver cars such as mine thus negating the need for a cast housing. honestly if someone is going to be going all out i dont thin an 8.8 would be an option for them anyways. id like to see this get done, im sure im not the only one. anybody know whos making them these days? maybe then can learn a thing or 2 or just see others input by reading this.
08-18-2005, 05:02 PM
#18
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You also need someone who knows how to service their customers and run a business, which Craig (Extreme Chassis) did not know how to do.
What is your interest in 8.8's ? I mean, why would you want one instead of a 12 bolt ?
What is your interest in 8.8's ? I mean, why would you want one instead of a 12 bolt ?
08-18-2005, 05:45 PM
#19
Originally Posted by TRex
You also need someone who knows how to service their customers and run a business, which Craig (Extreme Chassis) did not know how to do.
What is your interest in 8.8's ? I mean, why would you want one instead of a 12 bolt ?
What is your interest in 8.8's ? I mean, why would you want one instead of a 12 bolt ?
08-18-2005, 07:58 PM
#20
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Why in the world would you need a $2800 12bolt if your not even going to race it?
Biggest beef i have with the people making 8.8s is that they sell them for dam near as much as you can get a 12bolt for.
Biggest beef i have with the people making 8.8s is that they sell them for dam near as much as you can get a 12bolt for.