That's right...I'm currently looking at purchasing a set of Nitto DRs and was wondering "Whether or not?" and "How long?" my stock rear-end would hold. I have heard many stories, both good and bad, about the infamous 8.8" and it's structural integrity when accompanied by 30rwhp of bolt-ons, 4.10s and a set of DRs.
The bad part of the situation is that I recently paid $300 to have my 4.10s and a set of bearings installed and came to the conclusion that I need DRs - surprise, surprise. However, the $ I just paid would be an absolute waste if I had to pay the installation on an Eaton unit and some Moser 31-splines.
So, the question I have is, should I: 1) Drive it 'till she goes, or 2) just take it easy till I can afford the axles, posi-unit and install.
As of now, I'm leaning toward slappin' the DRs on and takin' my chances. If I do blow the $^!# outta the rear, oh well - I wouldn't be using it if I did the install now anyways.
So, whatcha think...

 

Bolt ons+4.10's+DR's+stock rear end = take your chances. I'ts like a volcano, sooner or later, it's gonna blow.

Adding slicks, and you shorten the life MUCH further.

I say, just run with it. Some guys run on this combo 100+ times w/o ever blowing the rear. Other guys, not soo lucky.

In fact, if you do last a while before blowing it, I say get a used 8.8 out of another GT for cheap and go for another 100 runs until they blow again.

 

I think this thread might be better suited either in General Tech or Drag Racing. I'll move it to Drag Racing. I think you will get more intelligent responses there.

 

I thank you for your contribution as well as the move. Now, I must admit - the DRs are already on order!

 

my car has dr's and atleast 30-40 pases on them and i drive my **** hard everday with powershifts etc.. it will be fine, dr's dont grab that hard.

 

Ive been running my DRs for almost a month or more.. I had 3.90s last week. and 3.27s 3 weeks ago. Ive been launching like a rubber band ever since i bought the DR'S!!!. I was worried and bought a new Read 31 spline and a 31 spline detroit locker and it had 4.10s in it. The guy totalled his car so i got it for $600. It had 2000 miles on it since it was built. I sold my rear to a friend for $350 and had to help him install.

He put on a TA rear end girdle, upone removing the main caps, we found a side bearing or maybe its called a shim. was broke clean in half in my rear i sold him. we took it to the guy that put my gears in it originally he inspected and put a new part in and declared it fine. I was launching hard with the 3.27s, and thats harder on the rear than launching with 3.90 or 4.10s.

I welded up his AXLE Tubes for him and put on his new TA Rear Girdle, Filled it up with the correct fluids and put it in his car. Hes happy as can be. Since i helped him install for free, he moved from 3.27s to 3.90s cheaper than buying gears and paying for install. I have a guy that does installs for $200 if anyones local to me in Delaware upstate. I got my upgrade for $250 after selling mine. And he sold his rear to a guy that just did a 4 cylinder to 8 cylinder 86 mustang and bought his rear for $300, so he made out for $50 bucks!!!.

Ive only blown 1 rear in my life and that was after pulling a 4 cylinder Turbo out of a 82 capri RS and put a 351 windsor in it and some Micky Thompson P295/ 15s on the rear, Remember 8.8 rears were no where around till 86 or 87 if i remember. I build the car in 85. 7.5" rear and since it was a turbo it was traction lock. Unless you had 9" rear money 7.5" was the only game in town!!!

8.8" rears are sturdy, and amazing how they do last with some guys with 2.73 and 3.08s and slicks. I had a 91 GT Turbo/intercooled with over 550 horse and 3.08 gears and that rear never came apart.


Good thing is Mustang rears are plentyful in the salvage yards for a good price. But you have a nice piece of $$ in yours after the gear swap.Unless your at the track every weekend, Or running 315 DRs and 12lbs of pressure, you should be OK. My DRs are on some factory 16" rims. 245/50/16s, They look like factory tires, but its Amazing how good i can launch with them now that I have a great feel for them. Im going to get a set of Micky Thompson slicks for Track only. That why i uprgaded my rear. I want some air under my fronts!!!

And do not worry about rain. U will find your nitto DRs brand new will probably do better in the rain than the tires that came off your car.

 

I know people launching at 7k on slicks with stock 31-spline trac-loc. I know people that have blown out there 28spline trac loc on street tires. I have seen an Eaton grenade on its 3rd pass behind a 270rwhp 5-speed. Its all a crap shoot...the only truly built rear...is a spool. If you don't race much then you'll be ok for awhile....honestly though it could be 5th pass or 500th pass. rears are funny that way.

Adam

 

Ill second the luck of the draw on the rear as ModMotorRacer says, Actually the rear is the strongest part in the mustang, I worry about my t-45 first, then my motor, then the rear Last. The only reason i really upgraded to the 31 spline axles and Locker, was because it was a deal, I wish i came across it before i put my 3.90s in.

And actually i wish i didnt listen to 4.10s no power adder and 3.73-3.90 with power adder. I shouldve had 4.10s from the door.

I had a mini spool in a Vega V8 I had, I couldnt find a good Posi rear, and too expensive to get a rear built so i bought a mini spool for $175 back in 1986. That car could come off the line. but nothing like turning a corner and having that spool "HOP"!!! since the outer wheel turns the same as the inner!!! Track only use, not safe on the street, but i drove it on the street. Scary on on ramps!!!

 

hey tedinde do you now what brand of detroit locker you have I want a locker sinnce my traclock is worn out and All ive found is the richmond powertrax I m going toupgrad it with 31 spline moser axels and a diff cover

 

he didnt say he has a detroit locker, also lots of people make lockers for the 8.8 jusdt go search for 8.8 lockers there are tons out there. I had a lock-rite no slip locler in my f150 it was good.

 

Thank you all for your contributions. I figure I'll stick with the stock rear for now and give 'er hell. As said above, the DRs aren't 315s, they are 275/40 R17 - the short sidewall being even better for my rear.
Anyhow, they are on their way and should be here tomorrow ($148 ea. from Discount Tire Direct). Now I just gotta wait for this damn California rain to clear before I realize their full potential. If, for some reason the rear does go, I'm sure you'll hear me bitchin' - jk. Thanks again - quest for N/A 12s here I come!