8.8 girdle cover
#4
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Ford addressed some design issues and released a Ford Racing Performance part that let's you pre-load the mains and has stronger and thicker ribs on the cover as it is a structural piece that sees significant loads. It also added a drain plug
Given our cars have 400hp stock + a few hundred pounds heavier than a mustang and a mustang has 320hp stock I would say it's a safe assumption to put the extra $200 into one while you're in there considering most of us don't have stock V's when we go to the 8.8 in the first place.
Has there been any known failures on 8.8's in our applications ? I haven't heard much but for me it was peace of mind knowing that I had the best possible parts to last me the longest. Our setups use the diff cover differently than the mustang so I figured I might as well protect for the unknown.
I went with the LPW Racing ultra IRS cover and . It seemed like it required the least bit of modification compared to the rest of the covers on the market and was priced reasonably as well.
If not because it looks better (no ford logos), having the magnetic drain plug and fill plugs and additional plug to add a cooler if necessary and larger fill capacity were the main reasons I went with this setup. the load bolts on the mains were a bonus. Obviously they address a known weakness on the 8.8 as even the Ford racing part has them.
The stock cover doesn't have a drain plug !!! You have to crack the bolts loose and let is spill everywhere and then re-RTV the cover. WTF ford.
The other nice part about the LPW cover is it didn't require any welding. All you need to do is cut down the mustang mount boss. There is a Ton of material in that area. And here is what is on my car now.
I was a no-brainer for me. I'm not sure anybody else has put an "upgraded" cover on like mine. But I don't regret it one bit.
Given our cars have 400hp stock + a few hundred pounds heavier than a mustang and a mustang has 320hp stock I would say it's a safe assumption to put the extra $200 into one while you're in there considering most of us don't have stock V's when we go to the 8.8 in the first place.
Has there been any known failures on 8.8's in our applications ? I haven't heard much but for me it was peace of mind knowing that I had the best possible parts to last me the longest. Our setups use the diff cover differently than the mustang so I figured I might as well protect for the unknown.
I went with the LPW Racing ultra IRS cover and . It seemed like it required the least bit of modification compared to the rest of the covers on the market and was priced reasonably as well.
If not because it looks better (no ford logos), having the magnetic drain plug and fill plugs and additional plug to add a cooler if necessary and larger fill capacity were the main reasons I went with this setup. the load bolts on the mains were a bonus. Obviously they address a known weakness on the 8.8 as even the Ford racing part has them.
The stock cover doesn't have a drain plug !!! You have to crack the bolts loose and let is spill everywhere and then re-RTV the cover. WTF ford.
The other nice part about the LPW cover is it didn't require any welding. All you need to do is cut down the mustang mount boss. There is a Ton of material in that area. And here is what is on my car now.
I was a no-brainer for me. I'm not sure anybody else has put an "upgraded" cover on like mine. But I don't regret it one bit.
#5
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I looked at every cover I could find online before finally just modified the stock 8.8 cover. That one was my first choice and I was very close to ordering it but I thought i'd still have to cut and weld it and couldn't justify spending the money and cutting it up. But now that I know it fits with just trimming it I wish I had just got it! If mine ever comes out for any reason I will definitely be going with this. The drain plug is the biggest bonus
#7
TECH Fanatic
Any 8.8" girdle will work although it's probably best to try to locate one with a vent built into the cover. At 2 tons every little bit helps.
I ordered my Creative Steel 8.8" with a girdle from Max although I had to modify his vent design as it pushed lube out the vent after it got hot.
I ordered my Creative Steel 8.8" with a girdle from Max although I had to modify his vent design as it pushed lube out the vent after it got hot.
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#9
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Here is a pic of the stud with the thread on end that wobbles once you thread it completely on so it can compensate for any weird casting defects and angles to apply proper presssure.
Here is an inside pic of a different cover showing the load bolts to give you an idea of what they do.
To add to DMM's post. The LPW cover has a nice built in vent and comes with a nipple and a small brass filter that screws in. I haven't seen a seep of fluid come out of the rear yet, even at a track day.
Just a warning for people that buy this cover it does need to be clearanced in certain spots to fit the CS bracket and obviously the mustang mount needs to be cut off. It's nothing a hack saw and file can't do. Just takes a little longer than using a mill to do the work.
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If you want a drain plug or vent just use a drill and tap in whatever cover you want.
I would be curious to look at the cover design in person between the IRS cover and the solid axle cover...not sure the aftermarket changed the IRS covers that much...maybe they did...just would like to see in person or on paper.
I would be curious to look at the cover design in person between the IRS cover and the solid axle cover...not sure the aftermarket changed the IRS covers that much...maybe they did...just would like to see in person or on paper.
#15
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If you want a drain plug or vent just use a drill and tap in whatever cover you want.
I would be curious to look at the cover design in person between the IRS cover and the solid axle cover...not sure the aftermarket changed the IRS covers that much...maybe they did...just would like to see in person or on paper.
I would be curious to look at the cover design in person between the IRS cover and the solid axle cover...not sure the aftermarket changed the IRS covers that much...maybe they did...just would like to see in person or on paper.
The drain plug while handy, I drilled and tapped the bottom of my 8.8 housing and that works awesome.
As for the covers look above, LPW has both IRS and NON-irs covers and both are in this thread.
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Just drilling a hole would work for sure, but the IRS cover has a vent and a baffle plate so that fluid can get flung on it and it help to keep it in. Just drilling a hole would vent, but not ideally.
The drain plug while handy, I drilled and tapped the bottom of my 8.8 housing and that works awesome.
As for the covers look above, LPW has both IRS and NON-irs covers and both are in this thread.
The drain plug while handy, I drilled and tapped the bottom of my 8.8 housing and that works awesome.
As for the covers look above, LPW has both IRS and NON-irs covers and both are in this thread.
I am aware that the cover has a "baffle" plate to keep splash from entering the hole. It is easy to replicate the cover but to I don't feel it necessary as there are other ways around it...like a 12" piece of 5/16" hose, or a stainless mesh filled canister inline..or a check valve...etc. all cheap options.
Drilling the bottom of the case works but not something I would do on a high hp application - the cover would be better IMO.
I am well aware there are pictures of both- I said i would like to have them in my hand to compare, or atleast a dwg of each to see the differences in thickness, webs, locations...etc. 50kb pictures aren't what I am talking about.
#18
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Needing a drain plug for my 8.8 so thanks for the info...
But, I have to ask a stupid question here as I've never drilled and tapped a case for a drain plug...what does the plug tighten up against if you've drilled and tapped the diff housing all the way through? Seems like you could just keep threading the plug in until it bottoms out on something inside the case.
What size did you guys use??
Thanks!
But, I have to ask a stupid question here as I've never drilled and tapped a case for a drain plug...what does the plug tighten up against if you've drilled and tapped the diff housing all the way through? Seems like you could just keep threading the plug in until it bottoms out on something inside the case.
What size did you guys use??
Thanks!
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Needing a drain plug for my 8.8 so thanks for the info...
But, I have to ask a stupid question here as I've never drilled and tapped a case for a drain plug...what does the plug tighten up against if you've drilled and tapped the diff housing all the way through? Seems like you could just keep threading the plug in until it bottoms out on something inside the case.
What size did you guys use??
Thanks!
But, I have to ask a stupid question here as I've never drilled and tapped a case for a drain plug...what does the plug tighten up against if you've drilled and tapped the diff housing all the way through? Seems like you could just keep threading the plug in until it bottoms out on something inside the case.
What size did you guys use??
Thanks!
Last edited by 81LS1Camaro; 11-19-2015 at 10:05 AM.