Jrmotorworks

iTrader: (19)

what sort of tips do you need? Like how to identify them or the right models that would have them?

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Nah, I know all that. I even sent a pic to LKQ about the axle tube flare and they said none of them have it, so they're 7.5"s aren't they? would have been nice to pick up an 8.5" for $300 delivered with low miles.

This is one of the ways to tell right?

ls3s10

i will tell you the truth my s10 never hooked so the 7.5 in my s10 lasted 5 years on drag radial and went 11.5s yes with a z28 gov bomb and factory 4.11. i swaped to the narrowed 12 bolt and shattered the ls on slicks . stay away from sticky tires and have fun get it running and do rear end later , just my 2 cents

Jrmotorworks

iTrader: (19)

Right, also the diff cover is almost perfectly round as opposed to the 7.5 being more rectangular. the little "ears" on the bottom of the center section are different too. The 7.5 has little ones sticking out where as the 8.5 has a squared off look to it. Here, check this out: http://www.maliburacing.com/rearend_guide.html
The easiest is by far the step in the tube.

I wouldn't worry at all about the 8.5. They are a great rear end when built up. I've seen 3,500 pound cars run in the 10's pulling the wheels off the ground for a few years with no problems. Everyone can have bad luck with a part and skew their view on something. Either the 8.5 or the Ford 9" will do fine with sticky tires.

dogger

iTrader: (1)

If you look at 4.3 5spd trucks you stand a chance of locating one. That is the most common truck I've seen them in but they can really be any s10.

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for your help guys, I bumped into a take out 3.31 8.8" rear from an 05+ mustang today on ebay, 31 spline, clean as anything for $650 shipped. I figure its not bad, already 31 spline, already LSD, all I need to do is shorten and respline the axles, and shorten the tubes(I'm not sure I want to do this myself, but I may anyway!). It has the 3 link mounts where I want them, panhard bar mount, etc etc. Should be pretty bad ***! My c5 vette brakes came, I need to scoop some 98 blazer spindles so I can put them on sooner or later. Truck is shaping up

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Got my wheel spacers today, forgive the chipped chrome, stripping the wheels and painting them grey soon. I think the stance is great. Everything fits VERY tight as shown in the pictures. Motor mounts will be here tomorrow, motor stuff should start next week. This is gonna be fun!!!!




Upper control arm clearance is pretty damn close- won't be a problem with the new uppers

Tie rod clearance is ridiculously close too, I'll worry about it later. No drop spindles for me!!

I like contact patch =)

SpecV44

iTrader: (7)

Why not just go with a 8.8? You can get them with disks, posi, 3.73 gears for $250 near you. If you want it shortened, I can give you the information to the guy that shortened ours for our 98 Jimmy LQ4/4L60E swap. If not, it WILL fit on your springs with no mods, it will just be 2" wider on both sides.

tennerv8

iTrader: (7)

Thats what i did. Direct bolt in. 31 spline,posi,3:73,disc brakes. Ford explorer 8.8's bolt right in an s10, just used different offset/bolt pattern wheels. The explorer 8.8's are the only 31 splines. The rangers are 28 spline as are the mustangs.

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

05-09 mustang rears like the one I got are 31 spline and set up for a 3 link. I'm back halfing the truck an narrowing the rear a little bit more than I would be, and running a 3 link as well so it should work out perfectly.

specv44, how much was it for the narrowing? and how much just for shortening, resplining, and redrilling the axles?

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Sorry for the lack of updates, megasquirt arrived today (not going with the 98 camaro pcm/harness I thought I would). The brake caliper brackets should be here anyday, and I sold the original motor to a good friend for a good deal for both of us. The rearend is here and beautiful, going to be shortened a good bit. More progress coming soon, been busy.

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Megasquirt almost done, the DIYautotune guys have been great. Just waiting on two capacitors that weren't there in the packaging, and the guys at diyautotune were kind enough to send me a bunch of other components that I needed at no charge. Now thats customer service! Anyway, heres the ecu so far-



Adding a few pins to the harness for extra functions =)

tennerv8

iTrader: (7)

How hard was the Megasquirt box to assemble?

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

I've had a **** ton of soldering experience, so it wasn't hard at all. If you are good at soldering it shouldn't be too big of an issue. I can connect to the megasquirt box even without those two capacitors, it just wont stay on. Can't wait to get them! Just need to pay attention to the directions. A little confusing because I'm going to run MS2 extra firmware and direct coil triggering, but its not hard at all really.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

sounds like a fun build.
the MSII will be cheeper than a aftermarket harness with gm pcm and hptuners.

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Yup, need to sell my 98 camaro harness and PCM now

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Little update, with any luck I should have the motor physically in the car tomorrow. I have been dicking around at ProE (been a long time) and I think I got the hang of it for making headers. Let me know what you guys think! Not sure which I'm going to weld up, the not-at-all equal length will be easier, but whats life without a little challenge?

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Its in. Got some other stuff to do, and I need a hummer pan, should make life easier.
I'm going to scoop an LH8 oilpan, this one doesn't REALLY fit. Also need to weld on some bolts to the frame so I can permanently mount the engine. Theres like no room to get to anything in there. And the trans dapt mounts aren't the best thing in the world, they were warped when I got them and need to open up the holes, only two will fit. No biggie, just annoying. Time to break out the drill.

tennerv8

iTrader: (7)

You ever think about notching the frame so you can use the stock 5.3 truck pan?

themachasy

iTrader: (5)

Was just looking at doing that this morning. Time to break out the grinder! Need to put the suspension on and weld on some bolts to the crossmember so we can bolt in the engine. (we cut the stock ones out. Pain in the *** to get to, was quicker)