I have an 88 XR7 with the stock 3.08 and rear drums. Been thinking about pulling the rear axle off a 87 TC with AOD in the local pick-n-pull yard. The yard is asking $65 for the entire axle with discs. Here's a picture of the potential doner:
(http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx143/kafer79/Axle_zps83a056f3.jpg) (http://s750.photobucket.com/user/kafer79/media/Axle_zps83a056f3.jpg.html)
I've got the tools and the skills to swap so no problem there. I would probably keep my 10" drums based on the chatter in this post (yes, discs are shagier but I don't want to go through the brake conversion when my factory drums are fine for me): http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?35944-Turbo-Coupe-axle-with-drums&highlight=turbo+axle
So, is the TC the more desirable axle? Will the 3.73 offer a noticeable difference in performance?
Appreciate your thoughts on the topic.
That's a pretty good deal for the whole axle. Without knowing anything else about your combo, I would say it will be a nice increase in acceleration. Why not use the discs and upgrade braking at the same time?
Grab it !!!! Awesome swap for super cheap. Grab the parking brake cables and quads as well. Leave the shocks connected. They look new.
Another thought is just get a set of 3.73 gears and have them installed in your rear. Yes it costs more but if the Traction-Lok in the TC rear is bad you'll have to rebuild it, costing more money.
Grab the quad shocks and mounts off the turbo coupe too..
I drove 206 miles today andvi still have 3/4 tank of gas.
my station wagon with the same engine, same transmission and a bit more weight with 3.55 gears would barely touch 20mpg.
if you cruise freeway a lot, I wouldn't do it. if you only play on the weekends and want to race, go for it.
my 2 cents.
7.5<8.8 swap it and dont look back....
being an 88 car, there is a chance he already has a 8.8.
Yes, my 88 XR7 has the 8.8 with Traction-Lok and the rear quad shocks from the factory.
Buy it for $65 and sell it to a Mustang guy for $200.
Darren
Funny!
However, for the price I'm thinking of removing that 3.73 pinion and carrier for a later swap into my 8.8. Just need to determine what my engine RPM will be at highway speeds before I commit. I've found a few good RPM/Gear calculators including this one:
http://www.differentials.com/technical-help/differential-gear-ratio-calculator
Mine seems around 2500-2600 ish. AOD.