With all of the bad publicity I've seen lately regarding 12 bolts, I've been looking pretty hard at 9" Ford units to replace my 10 bolt.

What are the pro's/con's of the 9" and 8.8's?

Thanks in advance

 

Don't get too caught up in the 12 bolt breakage "craze". Do a search, about a year or year and a half ago, there was a rash of broken 9" rearends. There are plenty of 12 bolts holding up just fine (Colonel's 9 sec Z28, Nineballs 10 sec 3600lb Firebird, Jason99TA's 10.50 sec Firebird, Dertys 9 sec WS6, and others come to mind).

Sometimes, even though a $2500 rearend brakes, people forget that racing, by its nature, is hard on and breaks parts. I wouldn't sweat buying a 12 bolt based on a few failures and problems.

Just my .02, Shawn

 

yup, racing is racing and no matter what u have it has a chance of breaking.

 

Unless you're making upwards of 700+ rwhp, a 9 inch is a bad choice IMO. They're heavy, and rob a ton of power.

I have an 8.8, very happy with it. It's 15 lbs lighter than a 12 bolt, and just as strong.


josh

 

I still disagree with the "just as strong" . Strong enough - very likely, depending on your power level, but I do not believe it is just as strong (primarily by virtue of the non-nodular centersection on the 8.8).

 

I agree with ChrisB's comments.

I have a 9" and I think it's a must if you think you will cut mid 1.4's or better at the track.

 

Yup, I couldn't agree more.

 

My bad. I guess Brad Brand's 1300 RWHP, 7 second, 1.2 60 ft Mustang running through an 8.8 doesn't classify them as just as strong.

An 8.8 will be plenty for 99.99999999% of the people in the LS1 world. JMO of course.

Josh

 

Those of you with the 8.8" conversion, where are you getting it at?

What modifications have to be done?

How much?

 

I too would like to know more about the 8.8. I keep seeing them get mentioned, but no one ever goes into any detail on what is involved. Mainly I want to know:

a) Where to get the conversion, or is it something I might be able to do myself?
b) What exactly is involved in the conversion (what parts are used and the process)?
c) Definitely the cost of the parts and/or labor for the conversion?
d) Can I retain abs and traction control?

Thanks

 

My question is how is the effeciency of the 8.8 compared to the 9" and the 12 bolt...????????

 

Not too much info out there regarding these rear ends egh??

 

its been a rather touchy subject on here since the guy who builds them isnt a sponsor

people dont feel like getting banned

 

Didn't know that, now I see in the sticky...

 

the posi (Stock) breaks, at least my bro has dusted a couple. i think he got an eaton one now.

 

Seriously, I am finding the same problem. I have been searching for a new rear for a month or so, and there is so little info on it ... and the little info you do find is so biased. Someone that owns the 12 bolt suggests that, someone that owns the 8.8 suggests that, etc.

If anyone could email me some information on the 8.8 (see the above questions), it would be greatly appreciated.

xogrimox@aol.com

Thanks in advance guys.