Sancho805

with new gears, its recommended to get a posi diff to get better traction which will result in better performance. you are likely to spin more than you like if you run new gears with the stock open diff.

level01

I really appreciate all the input...Based on the comments, I am likely going with the posi since GEFracing.com has a Ford 7.5 t-lok for $162... The boys at Stage3 (which is just down the street from me here in Glendale...) can get the Motive gears in 3.73 with an overhaul kit for $239... so about 4 bills for parts... maybe 3 bills for labor...so $700 total. Which doesn't sound unreasonable... I have priced the 8.8 (with 3.73 gears) at newtakeoff.com at $900 plus shipping and then labor to install... so probably around $1300 total? I don't anticipate driving the car that hard I am an old guy and just looking for a little zip...so the first option seems like a good investment as far as bang for the buck...

Which brings us to my new question: Do I need the kit... Gears alone are about $140... or are the additional parts to build the rear end included with the t-lok? (neither Stage 3 nor the garage that will install can give me a definite answer) And if so is it safe to assume cost for any incidental parts would be negligable? Can any of you that have taken this route shed some light so I can determine exactly which parts to purchase... Thanks in advance y'all have been a great help...

addison85

Is it easier to do a gear swap + install t-lok or just one big axle swap? The labor costs might be the same for both...I highly suggest you do a 8.8" gear swap. Not only do you completely avoid whine...but your rear end is now ready for F/I in the future.

scorpio333

I would say you lower the chances of whine with a 8.8, but remember the 8.8's only come with 3.31 or 3.55 from the factory. Someone at newtakeoff is opening that thing up and installing the 3.73 or 4.10s. Mine has no whine, but it does 'whir' or hum when coasting. A good reputable can do gears with no noise and even some members have done it with no issue. Research your installer and it could save you tons of headaches afterwards.

I did the swap myself so no labor costs, just $900 for the purchase.

MrSandman

Also.. despite the added cost for most people, the 8.8 rear weighs more and is not really necessary unless you are FI and heading to the track with some serious drag radials.

Overbuilding is fine.. but the weight/benefit ratio just isn't there for a NA v6.

That said.. you can order the 8.8 with 4.10s, 3.90's, or 3.73's... and I have heard that 3.90 gears are just about perfect for our cars.

ruprect108

I got the Motive 3.73's and T-lok. Whole new car I love it. I didn't buy any overhaul kit. I bought the Gears, Bearing Kit ($40), 3 pints Royal Purple and 1 pint Friction modifier. Gave all that to the shop and 6 hours later had a much cooler car. You will need to retune the car afterwords as well.

Mustang_Joe

I like the way you think.

Faster Acceleration=Cooler Car

rmays06

I decieded to go with the 3.73's on my 4.0 and I LOVED IT. The response was great and the gas difference was not that noticable at all. I did notice a RPM change at freeway speeds but not great.
Couple suggestions that you have mentioned, go w/the kit you don't want the shop to open it up and find you need a part and have the car laid up for few extra days/hours, Get a reputible shop that will stand by thier work, this has to be perfect or it will whine and drive you nuts, make sure they fix it if not right. MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT TIME TO BREAK IN PROPERLY!
The 8.8 is better yes but you have stated you don't drive hard all the time and there has been plenty who have put 12 sec 1/2 w/thier 7.5 t-loc. Just remember its not built to handle the constant beatings.

*what happened to mine? well I went over a curb and shattered my rear end, I had to get a whole new rear end and Ford flipped the bill, it was completely tore up, axles, ring/pinion and housing was tore up...lol but that had to be a flaw I was not rough on the car at all.

level01

Well... thanks to all that have shared. I have made a decision and a down payment. Called half a dozen shops for info or referrals til I found Sun Devil Auto repair and the guy there said they sub all their diff work to a specialist and told me ask for Nate at Arizona Differential... Nate said he could beat any prices that I had found and proceeded to juggle numbers until he agreed he could get me out the door with a Ford C75 T-lok and 3.73 FRPP gears plus tax, labor and a ride to the golf course with a very cute sounding receptionist for $700. Best quote I could get from a nonspecialty shop was $730 plus tax... and none of them were sure what all was needed to complete the kit.

My rationale for forgoing the 8.8 as if you care... $900 in parts alone makes me reluctant to spend that much when I am only trying to look respectable in traffic near the "TIC's" (Toddlers In Civics) and from all the input this mod should do the trick at a price I am willing to sink in to my ride. I mean, who wouldn't want to put the Vortec in but 4K is dear... so we all TRY to live within our means...

Any additional feedback would be great... Car goes to the shop 11/5... I will post to update you and again in a few weeks after break in...

Again, all the input has been great and really helped me to narrow my options to find what I was looking for... Thanks

rmays06

Good for you man! Nice work and it seems as if you shopped around a bit. I'm w/ya on the non-8.8 choice.
Best of luck and keep us updated.