Is an 8" better than a 9"?

[67MustangManiac]

Rear axle, that is!!

I'm debating rear selection for a 67 Stang. Everything from TBird IRS to 9 and 8 inch rears. Been reading and found out that an 8" rear is 100lbs lighter than a 9"!! That's a LOT of unsprung weight.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/1999/12/lockright/index.shtml

Any downside? I see positive traction devices are available as well as several gear ratios.....interesting! Why SHOULDN'T I use an 8"?

thanks

Maniac!

 

[WORTH]

the 9 is alot stronger if your gonna push some HP out of it. For a daily driver the 8 is fine.

 

[rbohm]

i agree with worth. stay under 350hp, and the 8" will be fine. as far as aftermarket parts for the 8", check out currie enterprises.

 

[nmk_61802]

Not saying Ford Muscle is incorrect, but I wish they would've provided some back-up on that wieght difference. Configured identically, my understanding was about 25lbs difference between the two. Now if you are talking a Versailles rear w/ disc's the difference should be more like 60lbs. Ref.

http://www.ultrastang.com/Rearinfo.asp?Page_ID=1

Again not saying they are wrong just requires looking into.

 

[geneos5546]

8 is ok for 350 or less 9 inch is stronger but not needed unless you are tubbing car with major with rims

 

[zookeeper]

The guy who said the difference is more like 25lbs is right. I know lots of people who used to believe the 100lb difference myth, but it just isn't so. Unless you plan on hammering the car, or putting some serious rubber on it and drag racing it, I wouldn't worry about it. I know someone will likely post about how weak they are, but until you break something, don't sweat it.

 

[S&B]

an 8.8 inch rear end found in a turbo coupe will hold tons of power it all depends on your posi setup, i run over 700 hp through it, there is no use for a 9" unless your running crazy power doing wheel stands w/slicks.

 

[WORTH]

an 8.8 inch rear end found in a turbo coupe will hold tons of power it all depends on your posi setup, i run over 700 hp through it, there is no use for a 9" unless your running crazy power doing wheel stands w/slicks.

He's talking aobut an 8", not the newer 8.8

 

[Jester67]

FYI 67 and above 8" are stronger.

 

[WORTH]

FYI 67 and above 8" are stronger.

What did they change to make them stronger?

 

[67MustangManiac]

my understanding was about 25lbs difference between the two.

I thought that sounded like an enormous difference...I wasn't sure where they could have saved that much. ( I helped someone remove a 9" out of an LTD just yesterday) If it weighed 100 lbs LESS...that'd be pretty light!
This will be for a Shelby 350 clone, 289 (or 5.0), Toploader 4 speed. It will see the occasional drag strip pass but mostly a cruiser.

Hey Hearne!! Find an 8" for me!!!

thanks y'all!

Maniac!

 

[Red5oh]

Where are you at? I have an 8" COMPLETE, out of a 67 V8 car... I swapped in an 8.8 for it. I am near Dallas TX

 

[Jester67]

What did they change to make them stronger?

http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm
<img src="http://www.geocities.com/kevinstang66/x14.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>
65-66 mustang center
<img src="http://www.kevinstang.com/uv52.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>
Later improved carrier for the 8" found in 67 and up