Different 8" Question

[The Dan]

OK, I understand that an 8" is limited to about 300 h.p., but is there any one out there running an 8" for street driving ONLY!, with an occasional "burn out", not broken their 8"? I hear all the broken 8" stories, but none of the not broken 8" stories.

I ask because I'm getting an Auburn installed on Friday with 3.25 gears. The car is Street Driven only, and all of the recent 8" posts have me a little doubtful. I guess I'm looking for a little reassurance. So.....

 

[12sec67]

MY BUDDY RAN HIS UNTILL HE REPLACED IT JUST TO UPGRADE... 10SECGOAL IS HIS NAME

HE WAS EASY ON IT, BUT HE STILL RACED IT ... HE WAS A LUCKY ONE

 

[VictorII]

OK, I understand that an 8" is limited to about 300 h.p., but is there any one out there running an 8" for street driving ONLY!, with an occasional "burn out", not broken their 8"? I hear all the broken 8" stories, but none of the not broken 8" stories.

I ask because I'm getting an Auburn installed on Friday with 3.25 gears. The car is Street Driven only, and all of the recent 8" posts have me a little doubtful. I guess I'm looking for a little reassurance. So.....

Yup -- I bought an 8" Traction Lock out of Hemmings and drove it for 120,000 miles, some pretty hard. Then I rebuilt it about 30,000 miles ago. I got a slightly later one. I have a '65 convert. and I bought a pumpkin out of a '67 Fairlane becuase it has a webbed casing and was therefore stronger. I have not broken mine and have done some "agressive" driving......

 

[mustangbrad]

My '70 has always had an 8" in it, with a 302 and C4. I replaced the gears shortly after I bought it 16 years and 80,000 + miles ago. This car has only seen the street since I have owned it, too many burn outs to count and the ocassional street race. My 8" has never given me a reason to worry about it. I see no reason to change anytime soon. I think the 8" gets a bum rap because people don't use common sense when building a drivetrain. They start with the engine and can't understand why the stock C4 and 8" rear can't handle their new 450 HP motor, DUHH.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

i have an 8 that is rebuilt with 3.80 gears and posi and i have been to the track multiple times, done like a 1 minute burnout ( no tires left) and raced it a bunch and i have a good amount of horsepower in it too so call me lucky or say that the sucker is actually holding up but it gets the job done

 

[1320stang]

The only reason I broke my 8" was due to wheel hop. The spiders were welded and it had 3.00 gears and I ran it on regular street tires. I had it at the track and had severe wheel hop and broke the guts and it went to single track. I drove it to and up onto the trailer, got it to my buddy's shop, took it off the trailer, drove it about a mile home and pull the pumpkin. Took it back to his shop and he pulled the main caps, once the tension was released, the little ring around the roller on the end of the pinion fell out in about 3 pieces.

 

[The Dan]

Thanks for the reply's. It's nice to hear a few positives after all the negative attention the 8" always gets. I figured there were some 8" success stories, but again, I wanted to hear them considering my trip to the drive line shop on Friday. Should be nice when their finished, 68 center section, Auburn Pro, and 3.25 gears, teamed with the recent mods I've done to the engine = NICE!

Thanks again!

 

[latamud]

I've raced with my stock 8in and 3.55 trac loc on a supercharged 289 and it still hold up to everything I put it through. I daily drive it too. I am an agressive driver. I since have swapped a versailles rear because I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to run 12# boost on a 351W and upgrading to 31 spline axles but I still feel comfy with the 8". It's just the parts were practically given to me so why not. Have fun.

 

[Stang_1973]

I have had my 8 inch forever. even before the car was mine, It endured a 351 swap and then back to a 302. I am an agressive driver, burnout's and "sprints" here and there were no strangers to me and the rear is still going. I want to upgrade to posi and perhaps a 3.27 gear, but I need money first. But then again I doudt i am putting down more than 300 Hp at the wheels.