Drums on an 8.8

Topic: Drums on an 8.8 (Read 1263 times) previous topic - next topic

Drums on an 8.8

December 26, 2006, 10:06:03 AM

I'm thinking that an 8.8 swap is my next likely project, maybe in the spring. I want to get the drivetrain stronger before I go and drop a 351 in my car. Turbo coupes and Mustangs are second cousin to bigfoot around my local junkyard but I'm pretty confident I can get a MK7 as a donor. Now the MK7 rear is wider and it comes with discs. I've read through the tech about rear end swaps on coolcats and I don't think I feel like messing with a rear disc conversion if I can help it, especially since I'd have to get some 5-lug rims. I've heard stuff on here about changing a rear from discs to drums by reusing your old axles and hardware but since the new rear is wider I don't think that'll work. What say you?

Drums on an 8.8

Reply #1 – December 26, 2006, 10:15:36 AM

Take the brakes and axles out of your 83 7.5 and install them into/on the 8.8. Just verify BEFORE you buy it that the housing itself is the same as your current 7.5. Just measure to on the housing....not overall. Should be the same.

Simple...done.

Drums on an 8.8

Reply #2 – December 26, 2006, 10:29:33 AM

Hmm. So you're saying it's the axle shafts themselves that give the MK7 rear its extra width and not the housing?

Drums on an 8.8

Reply #3 – December 26, 2006, 10:42:54 AM

Been saying that for a while......

Measure it to be sure.

Drums on an 8.8

Reply #4 – December 26, 2006, 03:25:05 PM

That'll make this swap easier and cheaper than I could have hoped. Sweet.

Drums on an 8.8

Reply #5 – December 26, 2006, 03:29:26 PM

Like Chuck said, measure your 7.5 from to , then measure the Mark VII rear to .