Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

rearend advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-30-2010, 07:08 PM
  #1  
matto1975
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
matto1975's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 237
Default rearend advice

I have a 1968 coupe that used to be a 6cyl, I upgraded my suspension before I dropped in a 302 but I wanted to make sure my rearend will work. I have the 5 lug wheels, I was told by some that the 5 lug means I have the 9" rearend but I can't image a 6 cyl would have that rearend in it. I thought the 5 lug meant this car just came with the bigger wheels from the factory 15s vs 14s. I talked to another guy the other day that said the 8" would be fine as long as I upgraded my axles from 28 spline to the 31. I can't find any 31 spline axles for the 8". Is there a late model rearend that would work well with my setup? I have a late model 302 and I am going to put in a T-5 or T-56 transmission.
matto1975 is offline  
Old 10-30-2010, 08:14 PM
  #2  
mySAVIOReigns
3rd Gear Member
 
mySAVIOReigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mansfield, Texas
Posts: 880
Default

If you've got the numbers that your sig indicates, I would make sure you have a 9". An 8" might be able to handle it, but I'm not sure I would risk it.

Here's some easy ways to tell a 9" and 8" apart:
http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

edit: Oh, now I see that you might have meant those numbers were from the 05GT you had.

Last edited by mySAVIOReigns; 10-30-2010 at 08:17 PM.
mySAVIOReigns is offline  
Old 10-30-2010, 09:29 PM
  #3  
Coupe
3rd Gear Member
 
Coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 710
Default

It's most likley an 8" rear end, that will handle more HP than most people think. The 9" is kinda heavy and overkill for the majority of street cars, but on the plus side they have a ton of aftermarket support.
Coupe is offline  
Old 10-30-2010, 09:30 PM
  #4  
001mustang
3rd Gear Member
 
001mustang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: tn
Posts: 889
Default

8" and 9" 5 lugs came on fords w/ 14" wheels.

I'm getting away w/ 8" on a 365HP 351W.

Really a gray area where 8" fails. Some say 300HP some say 500HP. Guess it depends on how aggressively you launch.

If you have the money go w/ 9".

If thrifting you can build an 8" dirt cheap.

Can also get a strong 8.8 cheap.
001mustang is offline  
Old 10-31-2010, 03:22 AM
  #5  
67t5ponycoupe
5th Gear Member
 
67t5ponycoupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,946
Default

A lot of people seem to make the mistake of thinking if a mustang has 5 lugs that it is a 9 inch. As stated before that is not true, both 8 and 9 are 5 lug. if you have 5 lugs now chances are that it will be an 8 inch and can be bulit to handle the horse power that you are making. Since you have the axle that would be the cheap way to go. I see ads on Craig's list all the time saying they have a 65/6 with a 9 inch, they never do. It is like all the cars I have looked at that are stated to have a Boss 302. The uneducated think that since they have a 302 it must be a Boss, it never is. Your rear should handle your horse power and when you build it you can pick the gear set you want.
67t5ponycoupe is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
67LimeCoupe
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
31
09-30-2015 04:46 PM
Shadow7874
2005-2014 Mustangs
4
09-24-2015 09:06 PM
67LimeCoupe
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
9
09-21-2015 06:34 PM
EASTIDEE123
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
5
09-15-2015 11:08 AM
Pyrate Dave
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
8
09-10-2015 07:30 PM



Quick Reply: rearend advice



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:25 PM.