I'm sure someone has to have tried this, i did a search but found no info. I have so many built up 8.8's available to me its not even funny , any info on swappin it to an ls1 would be greatly appreciated. Im not too concerned with abs or traction control, but I know the tq arm situation might be hard.........someone enlighten me please

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: wot247 ]</p>

 

8.8s are in 5.0 mustangs from what I know... the suspension setups are 100% different. I don't think it would work.

 

ttt

 

Some guys and I were talking about this very subject this weekend. If someone would modify a Ford 8.8 to fit the F-body or make a more affordable 12-bolt, they would sell like hot cakes.

$2,500+ for a 12-bolt is absurd.

 

A lot of cutting and welding, I believe..... <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">

 

Back when I had a 89 5.0 daily driver I measured both housings. The Mustang one was narrower.

Also, all my 5.0 buddies tell me I would need to upgrade the axles and diff had I done the swap.

After you add it all up, the stuff out there is pretty cost effective. My Moser 9" was like $1950 a few years ago.

I'd look into the 8.5 rearend from a 4.3/T5 S10 might be a better solution.

 

thanks for the idea PSJ.....

 

How much narrower is the 8.8 Ford? If its only 3" narrower or so that could be a good thing.

What about the rear axle in late 80s Gbody? They used the 8.5 ring gear didn't they?

J.

 

the fox 8.8's are narrower than the 94-98 rears, and the new 99+ rears are wider than the 94-98 rears.

However, the new 99+ rear ends carry a expensive price tag, as whenever they become available cobra owners buy them, to ditch the crappy irs. <img src="gr_sad.gif" border="0"> where all the fox cars came with the 8.8, it was easy to get them cheap.

Ryan.

 

There's millions of GM 8.5 10 bolts out there. That's what I had in my Grand National and Impala SS. The 8.5 held up well in both applications. While not quite as strong as a 12 bolt you're 90% there for what should be a substantially reduced cost (maybe $1000?). I know they'd sell like hotcakes. Maybe somebody will figure this out. The junkyards are loaded with cores - no need for all new stuff like the 12 bolts.

 

spring perches would be easy, its the TQ arm that is the hard part I guess. but the GNX had a TQ arm and more than likely not a f-body rear?

gotta be a semi easy way if you have a welder and some time on your hands

the rears seem kinda expensive yes but the parts that goes in them are pretty high quality

 

i had heard that only the GN's got the 8.5 rear out of all the G body's and i was not aware the imaplla SS did, what about the caprices if they did, then they should be pleantiful.

Ryan. <-- will find a rear for less than $2500 for his new car.

 

I knew the Impalas did, good question about the Caprices.

 

one would assume that the police package cars at least would...but then again, this is the same company that puts a 7.5 rear behind a 350 hp motor. lol.

My friends 99 V6 mustang has a 8.8 courtesy of a ford TSB. with a whole 190 hp.

Ryan. <img src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> @ GM.

 

If some company could get the 8.5" rear ends to fit our F-bodies and keep the price @ $1,000 or so they would make a killing!!! <img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" />

 

The GM 8.5" 10 bolt was in just about every GM full size rear drive car from the mid 70's to when they dropped them in 96. Almost all 2nd Gen f-bodies from about 72 to 81 had them, and high performance G-bodies (Turbo Regal, Monte Carlo SS, Hurst Olds, etc). When I posted above about the 8.5 in my Impala and Grand National I forgot that I also had this rear in my 75 Trans Am with an (original) LS6 450HP 454. I blew out several B-W Super T-10 4 speeds but never a rear end.

 

so out of an older fbody it would be easier then........hmmm.......im gonna check some local welders/fabricaters/race shops, see what opinions i get.......thanks for the help guys

 

My wifes 91 Caprice with a 305 has a 8.5 rear. It's a few inches narrower than the F-body rear. I forgot how much.

 

Upon further thought, I measured the housing sizes two years ago. I don't recall how much narrower the 8.8 is, but I'd say it was maybe 2 or 3 inches a side. Someone go measure one today.

Honestly, I'd look into the 8.5 10 bolt. Came in that S10 I mentioned, Caprice, and the Monte Carlo, GN... I would try to get a GN rearend with 3.42's. You will need to swap over the backing plates, figure out the TCS, ABS, and add spring mounts and a tq arm mount. What would be great is if you cannabalized a stock f-body rear for the spring perches and tq arm setup.

 

[quote]Originally posted by wot247:
<strong>so out of an older fbody it would be easier then........hmmm.......im gonna check some local welders/fabricaters/race shops, see what opinions i get.......thanks for the help guys</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'd be really interested how this goes for you. Please keep us informed.