8.5 in rearend

[doood]

Moser makes a bolt in 12 bolt for 78-88 A/G bodies that includes bolt in axles.
No one mentioned the fact that the G body specific 8.5 housings have small axle tubes which is also a detriment. Most non G body rears and all of the Ford 8.8 rears have 3" or large tubes.

I think I heard the axel tubes from g-body 8.5 are same as 7.5. I agree that the Moser 12-bolt is the way to go non Ford; it runs about $4k currently. It's a highway car so I think the ford 9 will run very hot and waste 10 WHP.

 

[gnvair]

I am very happy with my Crown Vic 8.8 swap. I wasn't terribly expensive. I did some things so it would blend in. It really confuses people when they see the rear cover.

 

[doood]

I am very happy with my Crown Vic 8.8 swap. I wasn't terribly expensive. I did some things so it would blend in. It really confuses people when they see the rear cover.

looks fantastic.

man, my undercarriage is so filthy compared to everybody else's. LOL How do people have zero grime under there? My ever so slowly leaking 4L60e has painted the undercarriage in oil - just a few drops intermittently.

 

[Rt Jam]

I went a similar path. A choice that confuses them too but in all fairness an 8.8 swap is more popular than the route I went.

 

[gnvair]

looks fantastic.

man, my undercarriage is so filthy compared to everybody else's. LOL How do people have zero grime under there? My ever so slowly leaking 4L60e has painted the undercarriage in oil - just a few drops intermittently.

It's dirtier than it looks. I was in a similar position not really wanting a Ford rear but the 8.8 parts are soo much cheaper than comparable 8.5 or 12 bolt parts. I think a new 31 spline Cobra carrier was a tick over $200 shipped to my door. Just something to think about.

 

[scoti]

I went a similar path. A choice that confuses them too but in all fairness an 8.8 swap is more popular than the route I went.

I'll have to do some investigating. In the meantime, what set-up are you utilizing?

 

[doood]

It's dirtier than it looks. I was in a similar position not really wanting a Ford rear but the 8.8 parts are soo much cheaper than comparable 8.5 or 12 bolt parts. I think a new 31 spline Cobra carrier was a tick over $200 shipped to my door. Just something to think about.

Right on. My aversion to the ford is a disbelief that the driveline angles and centering of the rear are easy to get right. I know I would get these things right without any fiddling if I got an 8.5 from a 442. I'm interested in the puzzles and satisfaction in solving them aspect of car restoration and mild mods (so long as I'm not first to do the mod), but when it comes down to it I'm lazy and the car only gets 5% of my attention span any given week.

I'll have to do some investigating. In the meantime, what set-up are you utilizing?

looks like a 12-bolt cover

 

[gnvair]

Right on. My aversion to the ford is a disbelief that the driveline angles and centering of the rear are easy to get right. I know I would get these things right without any fiddling if I got an 8.5 from a 442. I'm interested in the puzzles and satisfaction in solving them aspect of car restoration and mild mods (so long as I'm not first to do the mod), but when it comes down to

I used adjustable upper control arms. Rear is centered and the driveline angle is where it is supposed to be. It is nice an smooth on the highway. Not a big deal.
If bolt in is what you are looking for them you will have to pay the going rate for an original 8.5 out of a Turbo Regal or a Hurst/442 Olds. Even still, there might be more expense involved in rebuilding and resealing.

 

[doood]

I used adjustable upper control arms. Rear is centered and the driveline angle is where it is supposed to be. It is nice an smooth on the highway. Not a big deal.
If bolt in is what you are looking for them you will have to pay the going rate for an original 8.5 out of a Turbo Regal or a Hurst/442 Olds. Even still, there might be more expense involved in rebuilding and resealing.

Understood. Even when willing to pay the going rate, they are not available. I have feelers out. I was about 32 seconds late to score one in PA listed last month.

I'm glad the adjustable arms worked out. Everybody says so. Maybe I'll pick up the next 8.8 from 91-01 explorer that I see on the market place.

 

[doood]

How does this dirt track 8.5 look? Seller says is g-body rear. Likely has mini-spool. Has 1/2 inch lugs. I'd buy it, pop the cover, see what I have, replace ring, pinion, axels, carrier... According to the seller, the stock car came from Virginia and they used an 8.5 for stock car there... He needs to run a 7.5 in Pennsylvania where the car is now. He hasn't run it or opened it.