Like to see some thoughts on using a Ford/Mustang 8.8" rear in an early Nova w/LS1-T56. I know there will be wheel pattern issues and possibly width considerations - anything else to consider? Just thinking about this because the availability of these rearends may be greater than the alternatives. -Bob

 

DO IT!!!!!!!! I'm doing an 8.8 in my Monte with a posi and 4.10's. My 8.8 is a unit out of a late model Ranger which is a little wider than the Mustang, but it is a heavier piece being out of a truck, and it works better with the wheel/offset package I want. Also 8.8's are massively interchangeable. I'm using 11" rear discs from a '99 Explorer. My center section is a factory take out I got from a local speed shop for $140 with less than 1000 miles. Shop around, parts can be way cheap! Whatever you get your housing from, make sure you get the right axles, as there are different lengths for different housings. My Ford loving friend(yes, Chevy guys and Ford guys can coexist in the same garage) is going to set it up for me, and says with a cover girdle(like that available from T/A) this rear should be good for 500HP! After this he suggests 9" ends be adapted, which any good driveline shop can do. As far as bolt patterns, the axles can be redrilled for about $30 a side, and the holes in the rotors can be oblonged to fit. Hope this helps.

 

It's a great swap... I've done it in my '64 using an 8.8 from an Explorer. It all works out pretty well, and was pretty economical.

See this thread: http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521

Also, I have some pics of the rear end here: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/groove...gW5PCBVjhM1kvG

 

Thanks for the info - I recall that thread on the Nova site. I thought the Explorer rear was about 1-2" wider than the stock rear for the 66 Nova. Is the 64 Nova width different than a 66? -Bob

 

It is a little wider... if you read the info in that thread, you can see the left side of the explorer rear end is shortened 3",and you can use two stock right hand side axles. It makes it a tad shorter than a stock Nova rear-end which helps in making your available tire/rim combos greater.