absolom Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 i haven't heard, but how strong are the solid axle rear ends supposed to be? will they handle DR's or slicks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Strong! Yes. The 8.8 inch is a good unit and the pinion contact location reduces power loss compared to a 9 inch Ford rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolom Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 is it stronger than the previous 8.8's? i'm used to dealing with old mustangs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVTpower Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 is it stronger than the previous 8.8's? i'm used to dealing with old mustangs the 05 and up is the first time they've been using 31 spline axles so yes...........all earlier were 28's which broke easy with slicks. 31's good !!! as far as from factory goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolom Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 the 05 and up is the first time they've been using 31 spline axles so yes...........all earlier were 28's which broke easy with slicks. 31's good !!! as far as from factory goes sweet! 31 splines are good although i still think they would beef up the GT500's rear end even more, is it the exact same unit from the 05 mustangs? wonder if anybody has shattered a rear end with an 05 GT yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVTpower Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 sweet! 31 splines are good although i still think they would beef up the GT500's rear end even more, is it the exact same unit from the 05 mustangs? wonder if anybody has shattered a rear end with an 05 GT yet I do remember reading an article a long time ago saying the Shelby will have a reinforced rearend..........maybe a little bracing here and there??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 A couple of easy mods to the older 8.8 with 28 spline axels and it can handle 8 second passes. Not for long, but it can do it. For the stock GT500, it should be plenty strong. The newer 31 spline axels are a great addition to this axel from the factory. Welded gussets on the dif/axel housing joints and a reinforced cover will make this rear even stronger. A carrier support wouldn't hurt. boxed link arms - of course. But, just what do you want to do with your GT500? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolom Posted May 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 A couple of easy mods to the older 8.8 with 28 spline axels and it can handle 8 second passes. Not for long, but it can do it. For the stock GT500, it should be plenty strong. The newer 31 spline axels are a great addition to this axel from the factory. Welded gussets on the dif/axel housing joints and a reinforced cover will make this rear even stronger. A carrier support wouldn't hurt. boxed link arms - of course. But, just what do you want to do with your GT500? i would like it to hold up to some DR's or slicks and some ~4K launches :bandance: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcthorne Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Are we sure its an 8.8 rear end? reason for asking is that the published gear ratio of 3.35 is not an 8.8 ring and pinion combo. Could it be using the 9.75 out of the Expedition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm not sure, but there has not been a mention of a rear end change like was mentioned early on with the Lightning. It would be a big thing to omit. The '05's axels have a higher (stronger) spline count than earlier units, and the 8.8 is a strong unit - even in IRS form. Ratio - 3.31 From one of the press releases: "The GT500, like the other new Mustangs, uses a solid rear axle. This setup is made practical for street use, while still having excellent cornering ability at the track, by a three-link setup. The upper front end of the rear end differential case has a torque control arm, along with Panhard rods running parallel to the axle shafts, attached to the differential at one end, and the body at the other end. This is a similar setup to the 2005 Mustang GT, but the SVT people have done extensive work to the setup to make sure that it will stand up to the added horsepower and torque put out by the beastly GT500 engine, by enhancing bearings in the Panhard rods, and introducing stiffer, constant rate coil springs combined with softer tuned, outboard mounted shock absorbers; and when combined with the increased size of the GT500s rear stabilizer bar, the SVT group has done its work in making sure that the wheels stay tight to the ground, whether the driver is ripping out a quarter mile run or drifting through the turns of a road course." Lots of changes mentioned, but nothing about the rear. But I have been wrong before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastbackman Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm just glad to hear they have at least gone to 31 spline axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm just glad to hear they have at least gone to 31 spline axles. You and me both. And I wouldn't be upset with an even stronger rear. Will the 9.75 even fit under the Mustang without a loss of ground clearance? The 3.31 ratio on the order guide makes me believe it is an 8.8. There is a lot of tooth contact with the 3.31 gear set, so it should be strong, and still rob less power than a 3.55 or shorter gear set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVTpower Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 It's 100% 8.8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm not sure, but there has not been a mention of a rear end change like was mentioned early on with the Lightning. It would be a big thing to omit. The '05's axels have a higher (stronger) spline count than earlier units, and the 8.8 is a strong unit - even in IRS form. I agree with the first half, The second you could'nt be further from the truth. The IRS plain SUCKS. If it is'nt an axle breaking its the center carrier exploding. Its what kills me wanting to keep my 04. (Im a drag racer at heart) Even with 31spline axles this thing will need some C-clip elim's after a while for strip duty. I would much rather see a 9" in there and suffer what dismal power loss it would bring for its brute strength. Not to mention having a center section for the 1/4 and one for autocross. :happy feet: 30 min. gear swaps baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 As IRS units go, the Ford 8.8 is pretty strong. If you have axel hop, nothing is going to last. The ring and pinion beat each other to death and the case takes all kinds of abuse (distorting the carrier) - especially behind a manual trans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcthorne Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I'm still not so sure its an 8.8 3.31 is not an 8.8 gear ratio. the closest would be 3.27 as shipped in the 96-98 Cobras. Available axel ratios in the 8.8 are 2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.55, 3.73, 4.11 and there are a few more on up offered aftermarket. They increment by 1 tooth on the pinion if you look at the Ford Racing catalog. A 3.31 has never been a ratio in an 8.8 that I can find. For Other sizes the ratios are slightly different which leads me to think there is something different about this axel than previous Mustangs. The 05 and 06 GTs have 3.55s which is an 8.8 ratio. What am I missing here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I'm not sure it's an 8.8 either. But until proven otherwise, it makes the most sense. 3.31 is a commonly available ratio for the 8.8 - the Mustang GT with auto trans uses it. Manuals get 3.55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68fastback Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 I'm not sure it's an 8.8 either. But until proven otherwise, it makes the most sense. 3.31 is a commonly available ratio for the 8.8 - the Mustang GT with auto trans uses it. Manuals get 3.55 Yeah, I think you're correct. My 2001 cobra IRS is an 8.8 3.27 but has held up well. The Ford GT500 factory guy told me 3 weeks ago that the GT500 will be a HD version of the 31 spline GT rearend with a 3.31 ratio, capable of handling mods up to 650crank HP, ditto the tranny. He implied the design point was 650HP to accommodate aftermarket kits since all you need to do to get to 650HP is reprogram the computer and install a smaller blower pulley that yields 12psi boost. I never asked him if it's an 8.8", but that's what I assume based on his answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS2XS Posted May 19, 2006 Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 From 07 SHELBY: "I went to the axle shop today.Much to my surprise they are the same as the Mustang GT,3.31 gear also." "I talked to the Visteon rep today.He told me on the outside they look identical on the inside the Shelby has a heavy duty clutch package and the ring and pinion is hardened different to take the torque and is a lot stronger.Sorry for the confusion. This is the rear axle." And the driveshaft is a 2-piece unit like the Mustang GT. http://www.stangsunleashed.com/forums/inde...=20entry13238 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.