I have the stock 7.5" rear with 2.73 gears...I'd like to run anywhere from a 3.08 to a 3.55 gear. now my questions are this:
1. can I run a 8.8 posi unit?
2. if not where can I find a 7.5 posi unit?
3. would the 7.5 stand up to the occasional drag race, and street beatings? if not how'd you beef it up?
Now for another question...What does the 87-88 3.8 v6 powered Coug/T-bird use for rear gearing? I'm gonna try to pick up a '87 t-bird for parts
1. NO 8.8 traction lock (posi) is too big.
2. Ford Racing sells 7.5 Traction Lock (posi) units.
3. Mabey. If you don't use slicks (slicks=broken rear end). Also depends on how much hp ya got and what type of engine ya got.
I think 87-88 V6 Birds/Cougars had a 7.5" 3.27 gear.
1. No. You need a 7.5" traction-lock unit (fords do not use "Posi").
2. You can find one in an 83-86 Turbo Coupe, 84-86 XR7 Turbo, 87-88 T-Bird Sport V8 and 87 Cougar XR-7 V8. Of course it was optional in all other trim levels, but the above ones had a 7.5" traction lock as standard equipment
3. Some people have had success using the 7.5", but not with a bunch of power. Anything better than a stock 5.0 HO and you'd probably be pushing it. Adding slicks would be like driving nails into the coffin. You can beef them up a bit (a girdle-style cover that supports the diff unit is available, and you might be able to get stronger diff units) but for serious duty an 8.8" is required
4. I believe most 87-88 V6 birds/cougs had either a 3.08 or 3.27. I installed the 3.27's from an 87 V6 'Bird into my old Sport
You could always go with a full locker in your 7.5.....This particlar locker can be installed in an open carrier.....
http://www.powertrax.com/lockright.html
Here's the application chart: The 7.5 is part #1830 The 8.8 is part # 1821.
http://www.powertrax.com/mercurylr.pdf
Both Jeg's and Summit carry them. When I ordered mine Summit had the better price.
the 3.08 7 1/2 dominates most of your bone yard resources. Look for the specific models thunderchicken points out to save time on your search. the whole 7.5 debate has gone around before and some say its better , some say its a lost cause and not worth keeping. I personally dont know but there are topics and detailed research into the pro's and cons of each. Just from what ive read on others digging into it, id think the trac loc 7.5 would suit me just fine for a rather agressive powerplant.
I have a 7.5 trac loc carrier that I would like to sell. This has good clutches in it, bearings and races, and ring gear bolts are included. I would sell it for $100, or make me an offer. I have a couple pictures because I was going to put this on ebay. If you would like to see the pictures please let me know. Contact me at dontnonottin@yahoo.com
My 7.5 did stand up to drag racing once a year until I had deflated my street tires to 15lbs. At that point I broke the drivers side bearing cap and the ring gear. I have upgraded to an 8.8 due to breaking the 7.5. Someone make a girdle for the 7.5 but you have to search to find it.
Couldnt find a girdle for a 7.5, but here is one for an 8.8
http://www.taperformance.com/ford.htm
ok here are my PLANNED mods...HO intake *upper (extrude honed), lower, injectors, sensors the whole 9 yards* B&M transpak for AOD. It should be able to handle that right?
yes,it won"t impose a problem till you exceed 300 h/p or add slicks into the mix
i am running a 87 5.0 bird
long tubes, h pipe , mac lers, h.o intakes, throttle body, underdrives, electric fan ,14 degree initial timing, etc with the 7.5 open rear diff car pulls strong for what it is and the 7.5 showed almost no wear at the cars 130,00 miles
i swapped in 3.73's lastnight from a late 80's aerostar van also look for limeted slip units there as most have them
(7.5" rearend+ drag racing= broken 7.5"rearend)
7.5" rear for drag racing:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin:
man after i saw what happend to my stock 8.8 rear i could only imagine what would of happend if it was an 7.5
if you really want to use your 7.5 for drag racing i could only suggest a few things you should bring with you when you go drag racing..
1 a large bucket
2 a band aid
3 some oil dry
4 about $200.00
5 another $400.00 or so.. ;)
the large bucket is for all the broken parts...
the band aid will be for your broken ego for busting a rear on the track..
the oil dry is for the mess you make with that 7.5 rearend when it blows apart..
the $200.00 is for the tow truck ride home..
and the $400.00+ is for the 8.8 rearend you will need to buy
now what i typed was just my wacky sence of humor
and is not intened to piss anyone off ;)
but i do strongly do not suggest you drag race with a 7.5 rearend..
Nick
...yeah...because we all run H/C/I V8 cars, all with blowers, and all with 5-speeds
we ALL need to get rid of the 7.5, even the 3.8 guys, we're gonna break em
I agree with Nick (Blown306Cougar). I'm speaking from experience. I had broke mine at the line while drag racing with a stock 5.0, stock clutch, t5 5speed, and 3.73 tracloc. I was aired down street tires (Goodyear Aqua treads).
:flip: :raspberry
ok if you have a slow ass V6 or a turbo 4CYL that is as slow as Shawn's T/Birds ok then you could get by with a 7.5 but if you ever plan to have a little fun with your fox body Cougar or T/Bird and your going to keep the 7.5 rearend then plan it blowing up on you one day..
all it's going to take is 155HP and 3300 to 3400pounds of car and one good beating.. and BOOM!
Nick
by the way shawn lol :rollin: what does H/C/I V8 cars mean anyway?:rollin:
EDIT oh and are you going to Ohio this week Shawn? if yes your going for a ride and maybe if your a good boy i'll let you drive it :evilgrin:
H/C/I=heads cam intake
turbo 4's being slow huh? someone sure has a big dick and no hand to stroke it...
Oh look, someone's attitude has returned since being humbled by the dyno run that ruined all their stupid shiznit-talking.
That's the problem with you people that whip it out and try to wave it in everyone's faces.. when it gets caught in the zipper you look even dumber than you did with your dick in your hand. Why not just skip the adolescent bullshiznit to begin with? It doesn't make you a better person because you think your car can pass anything on the road except a gas station, and you can't resist talking.. nay, bragging about it every chance you get. Hell, I'm probably the most immature person I know and your shiznit embarrasses me. That should tell you something.. but I doubt it will.
"Huge member!!!" indeed.. you're acting like a total dick to Shawn. He may be a prick at times, but so are we all.. (some of us more than others) and I do tend to consider him in a friend-like manner. How about you knock off the bullshiznit now before this thread gets ugly?
The world does not revolve around the small-block V8, no matter how much you wish it did.. and it's people like you that turn people like me off to them with your constant bitching about anything that isn't one. I happen to own four of them now, including two 5.0 HOs and one pickled 351 HO, and I still wouldn't make as much of an ass of myself over them as you have. ****ing get over it already. If Shawn likes his TC, what does it matter to you? If someone likes 6-cylinder engines, 4-cylinder engines, even 5- or 3-bangers, what does it matter to you? Be happy with your own shiznit and get on with your life. Chances are, someday you'll run into someone who loves their non-V8 more than you love your V8, and they just MIGHT embarrass you. Then what will you do? Won't be able to bitch about a bad dyno run that time around.
PS - Shawn's slow turbo car already has an 8.8"
Oh yeah, before I forget: Frankly, Nick, I'd have put your loudmouthed ass on ignore a LONG time ago for all the bragging and mindless dick-waving and what not, except for the fact that in private conversations, Shawn has vouched for you being a good guy who really knows his shiznit. The man has showed you real respect.. it isn't going to kill you to throw a little bit back his way.
And don't try to give me the shiznit where you claim you're just joking with him or whatever. You NEVER seem to have anything good to say about anything he drives.
When one doesn't really know what's going on, one should really keep from spouting off at the mouth.
Oh yes, I keep forgetting...you're Mr. Injured/Poor/Whiner/Excuse For Everything. That gives you special permissions. My bad.
Sheeyah...this coming from the King of Mouth Diarrhea. I don't recall you being appointed Morality puppies around here.
Indeed. You first. If you can control yourself.
I second that.
Oh it's already ugly...you showed up.
...which is the closest you'll ever get to a real friend.
Somehow I doubt that. You excel at being an ass.
The questions were answered earlier in the thread. This is as far as this needs to go.
Uh buh-bye. :locked: :flip: