Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions (Read 1831 times) previous topic - next topic

8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions

I have a craigslist sn95 rear in my car that I have always been a little suspect of. It makes a loud clunk sound when downshifting not under any load at all.  The guy who did my aod has some time here later in the month, so I'm thinking of going 31 spline.

My car will never run tens, so I'm thinking of just going with the 31 spline t-loc w c.f. clutches. There are some budget axles out there, but the price difference vs mosers is small, so why not stick with them, right? Also figured id go with all new bearings while its out.

Any opinions, or wisdom gained from experience?
87 Thunderbird LX
65mm tb, exploder intake, iron gt40 heads, 1.6 rr, a9l mass air swap, 9.5" Billet Dirty Dog TC, Built AOD, 4.10's, 31 spline TLoc, Superior Axles, full sn95 five lug swap.
 

8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions

Reply #2 –
Im going to pick up parts today at lunch from Tommie Vaughn Ford. A parts guy there is on al ocal Mustang board, and he hooks us up. Unfortunately, he was out of Moser's, and couldnt get any in time. He has Superior EV axles in stock, so Im picking those up. Superior is an OLD us based company that came out with a racing line awhile back. The Evolution line is still USA made, others are not. They may not measure up to Strange/Moser, but my car is quite mild, so Im not worried.

Picking up:
31 spline T-loc w carbon fiber clutches
Superior ev83 axles to fir sn95 rear
Install kit with all bearings/seals

My car has 3.55's in it now. Im still undecided on them. The guy building the rear has plenty of ford gears in stock to choose from if I want to swap, 3.55's to 4:10's. Tempted to go 4.10, considering my converter(9.5" Dirty Dog). I dont daily this thing, but Houston is a spread out town. The closest track/my inlaws/most cruises are a decent trek(30 minutes plus of freeway).

Probably going 4.10. Good excuse to buy 28" slicks, deal with a little screaming on the freeway.
87 Thunderbird LX
65mm tb, exploder intake, iron gt40 heads, 1.6 rr, a9l mass air swap, 9.5" Billet Dirty Dog TC, Built AOD, 4.10's, 31 spline TLoc, Superior Axles, full sn95 five lug swap.

8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions

Reply #3 –
The Superior axles will hold their own against the best of them. I have seen some 10 second 10" tire cars running them so do I would not worry about it one bit. I have always heard that with an AOD 4.10's are the ticket. If you are running a C4 then I might be tempted to run 3.73's just because of the lack of the over drive. Since its not your DD I say 4.10's all the way.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions

Reply #4 –
I have 3.90's in the wife's fox'stang GT 'vert w/ AOD.  It cruises quite nicely and isn't bad on RPMs up to about 75mph w/ 225/60 tire.  Yanks good from a launch too!  Also have 3.55's in the Ranger w/ C4.  It also does well to about 65mph....tach is about 3400rpm w/ a 275/60 tire.  The 'bird has 3.55's w/ AOD (soon to be T5) and cruises ok.  May step up to 3.73's or 3.90's during the resto swap.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions

Reply #5 –
Well, the 4.10's are great.

Honestly, the only way I can tell the difference from the 3.55's is cruising on the freeway is actually better now! Before, it was naturally to cruise right about 2000 rpms, and the drone was killing me. Now it feels good at about 2300-2500, and the car is so much quieter. The engine just sings along, doesnt feel like it spinning too high. Real nice. Of course the speedo is pretty far off. I didnt want to deal with a 23 tooth gear, so there is a 21 tooth in it. I saw a gear reducer deal on PATC's site may try that eventually, but its not a priority.

Dont fear the gear guys, if you are thinking about a swap, dont be scared.
87 Thunderbird LX
65mm tb, exploder intake, iron gt40 heads, 1.6 rr, a9l mass air swap, 9.5" Billet Dirty Dog TC, Built AOD, 4.10's, 31 spline TLoc, Superior Axles, full sn95 five lug swap.

8.8 refurb /upgrade opinions

Reply #6 –
87 Thunderbird LX
65mm tb, exploder intake, iron gt40 heads, 1.6 rr, a9l mass air swap, 9.5" Billet Dirty Dog TC, Built AOD, 4.10's, 31 spline TLoc, Superior Axles, full sn95 five lug swap.