happster

i would really like to put a independent 8.8 into my 2000 gt, like the cobras have of our generation, so i was wondering what all i would need for a swap. what years of the IRS 8.8 will be best? i heard that they put them under 90s cougars and such, so i thought it may be cheaper to find one out of those cars- are they going to be the same? what all will i have to change? is there a good online source of information for this swap? is my trac control going to still work with the new axle? what are brake line issues i may run into?
i'd love some help with this. i have heard of people doing the swap, and it sounds pretty simple and bolt-in, but i have some mild fab skills if i am going to need to modify things. thanks for your help!

WhiteFoxGT

The stuff from the Cougars wont fit... I believe they use a 7.5" diff anyway...

Basically you'll need whole carriage from under a 99-01-03/04 Cobra. It would be best to find someone with a Cobra looking to swap in a solid axle. Im not too keen on these swaps, but I have read you will need to drill a few holes in your trunk to make it work.

nickmckinney

Only thing the same from the Tbird/Cougar/Mark VIII is the pumpkin and the shocks.

99-01 Cobras had weaker axles but are just fine for non race cars.

Its really just a plug and play, I have one in my 96GT at the moment from a 99 Cobra.

Mustang3GT07

+1 You will also need all the IRS bushings so you dont get wheel hop or you can kiss that IRS bye bye! Best place to buy bushings is from lethal performance. Check SVTP I bet there are guys that would want to trade you. What makes you want a IRS thou? Its kinda a PITA lol

Frostbitten

dont use anything from a 90 cougar. those cars are complete pieces of ****. you need a complete irs assembly from an 03/04 cobra with exhaust, shocks, and everything else. The irs is prone to give tons of wheelhop though unless you uprgrade it with better bushings...

Sxynerd

03/04 have 31 spline axles so look for those. 04's have a cross brace for more diff support that the 03's didn't have.

happster

well, sounds easy enough. i'll look for the 99 and up IRS then. i want to change it out becuase IRS is better for what my car is built for- cornering. i love taking corners at speed, and IRS is where it's at for that. i hope someone would want to trade with me- i'm out here in KS though, for school. i'll check that board. did the cobras come with 3.73s or anything different like that? i'll just have to change the cat-back to a cobra cat-back right? and what about ride height and springs, will i have to buy a new set of rear coils? i have the steeda race springs right now, so that'll be something i'll need to change, right? i'll look for an '04 or '03 especially.

945LSTANG

03/04 cobras came stock with 3.55s.