my 79 cobra project

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by goinbroke2

I blew up three 7.5's in my '83 then put in a 9".....that was in '88...haven't broke anything since.
9" isn't required with a 302 2bbl auto, but if your ever going to step it up in the future it's required and the price is a wash or cheaper for a 9" imho.

Personally I'll always take a robust, removable carrier type rear, over a c-clip/tiny/weak/integral carrier type. Maybe I'm too old school?

The 8.8 is pretty decent, as long as you have the axle tubes welded to the casting, and get a decent spool and axles. I have been running my 85 Mustang for 11 years with a 8.8, with a stick, and with the bracket engine, have gone mid 1.3 60 foots. That said, if I did it again, I think I would use a 9". A 9 inch has a much better selection of ratios, most available in a "Pro" gear, which is not available for a 8.8. A 8.8 is definately cheaper, and easy to find, and bolts right in. Plus supposedly takes less HP to spin. And unless you want to spend even more money, the 8.8 is lighter. But the 9 inch is way better served ratiowise.

[Joe Toller]

The best info I can share, talk to Mark Yacavone about a converter if you go auto. I was going to start with a 7.5 as well. You can get better axles, and they are 40lbs less than a 8.8. They will hold up to a 2bbl 302 and automatic. It depends on what you budget is and what you are looking to do. I bought a 79, and was going to build it as an 82 HO, but that's done with now. I tried to do it budget, but my 'budget' and a stocker 'budget' are vastly different...