66 mustang rearend

[sangwitch]

OK guys i have another question. I am putting in a 302, 4spd in my 66 mustang. Should i use a 8 inch or 9 in rear end.

 

[2bav8]

The 8" is a good rear end.
Unless you're going to be putting 350+ HP to the rear tires I'd keep the 8"
Its lighter and soakes up less HP than the 9" does.

 

[NorCal66]

Ditto, unless you have big power or slicks in your plans, the 8 inch will hold up fine.

 

[RajunCajun]

so theoretically a well rebuilt 8" could handle a 393 stroker with aT3550 only on street tires?

 

[Ronstang]

so theoretically a well rebuilt 8" could handle a 393 stroker with aT3550 only on street tires?

That is questionalble. I wouldn't spend too much $$$ to build up the 8" since you will more than likely break it....I have broken an stock 9" carrier with a 351.

 

[HistoricMustang]

I use a 9", but we are beginning to see more and more 8" units that are road racing. It has to do with the less "rotating mass" of the 8" and therefore more rear wheel horsepower.

Currie builds a great rear end.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[Ford4Fun]

Has anyone concidered the 8.8 irs out of the 80s and 90s t-birds?? It has its own subframe that would not be hard to mount in an early stang. I do not know the width but it would be close.

 

[96 DOHC Cobra]

Has anyone concidered the 8.8 irs out of the 80s and 90s t-birds?? It has its own subframe that would not be hard to mount in an early stang. I do not know the width but it would be close.

I'm sure it's been considered. I think I've read somewhere that it's been done. Not a good option for an early Stang. Too wide. I think it's about six inches wider than a 65-66.

 

[rbohm]

an 8" rear, properly prepped, will handle about 400hp, 350 with slicks at the dragstrip. another rear you might consider is the 8.8" out of an early 90's mustang gt. you would have to get rid of the stock suspension brackets, and weld on some leaf spring mounts, not hard to do, but you would have a rear that would handle about 95% of the hp that a 9" would, but it would be very close to the weight of the 8" rear, and you would have a large variety of components available for it. as to the Tbird IRS, i have considered it as a possibility, especially since i have seen it used under a 91 stang, but the subframe is large, heavy and bulky, and would require too much effort for the minimal, if any, gains you would get in ride or handling.

 

[ratio411]

You can use either...
My vote is 9".
I have grenaded too many 8"s with just 302 power.
I suppose it would be more reliable with more money in parts and professional building, but there comes a point where a 9" can be had for less, due to it's popularity and wide range of aftermarket parts, and still be much stronger.
Good luck
Dave