question about Ford 8.8 gears

Woodfin · 04-11-2024, 10:47 PM

So far, I do not see a high impact drag race gear listed for the 8.8 rear. I know the 8.8 is popular so it must not be an issue. If I were building a 12 bolt or a 9" I would install a high impact gear set.

Question, for a 2900 pound SBC bracket racer with Powerglide and trans brake leave and ET in the 6.30 1/8 range. Is the 8.8 OK with a conventional gear [most likely a 5.14 ratio]

If there is any doubt about the service life, I will not install an 8.8 - will do a 9" with high impact gear.

Rory McNeil · 04-11-2024, 11:31 PM

I ran a 8.8 in my 85 Mustang, both in Stock (M/S stick), with both 4.88 and 5.14 ratios, my car had to weigh 3085 min. in M, and 3185 in N, and usually dumped the clutch at 6000-6400 RPM. As you mentioned, there are no "Pro" gears available for the 8.8, so I ran "Street" gears. With the 4.88s, I never had any issues with gear breakage, but with 5.14s, I broke 2 ring and pinions, due I imagine, to a lower tooth count on the pinion. I found housing bending, to be more of an issue than gear life, I had the housing cast center, welded to the axle tubes, and added braces from the housing end area, to the cast center. For a while, I ran a 331 cube SB Ford bracket engine in the car, with the 4 speed Jerico, and it ran 10.2-3s, and mid 1.3 60 foot times, and I still never hurt the 4.88s.

1legjerry · 04-12-2024, 11:21 AM

https://tinsoldierracecars.com/

Sells a kit to strengthen the 8.8 housing or you can get a complete housing.

04-11-2024, 10:47 PM	#1
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 429 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	question about Ford 8.8 gears So far, I do not see a high impact drag race gear listed for the 8.8 rear. I know the 8.8 is popular so it must not be an issue. If I were building a 12 bolt or a 9" I would install a high impact gear set. Question, for a 2900 pound SBC bracket racer with Powerglide and trans brake leave and ET in the 6.30 1/8 range. Is the 8.8 OK with a conventional gear [most likely a 5.14 ratio] If there is any doubt about the service life, I will not install an 8.8 - will do a 9" with high impact gear.

04-11-2024, 11:31 PM	#2
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,257 Likes: 245 Liked 939 Times in 259 Posts	Re: question about Ford 8.8 gears I ran a 8.8 in my 85 Mustang, both in Stock (M/S stick), with both 4.88 and 5.14 ratios, my car had to weigh 3085 min. in M, and 3185 in N, and usually dumped the clutch at 6000-6400 RPM. As you mentioned, there are no "Pro" gears available for the 8.8, so I ran "Street" gears. With the 4.88s, I never had any issues with gear breakage, but with 5.14s, I broke 2 ring and pinions, due I imagine, to a lower tooth count on the pinion. I found housing bending, to be more of an issue than gear life, I had the housing cast center, welded to the axle tubes, and added braces from the housing end area, to the cast center. For a while, I ran a 331 cube SB Ford bracket engine in the car, with the 4 speed Jerico, and it ran 10.2-3s, and mid 1.3 60 foot times, and I still never hurt the 4.88s. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

04-12-2024, 11:21 AM	#3
1legjerry Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 68 Likes: 4 Liked 59 Times in 9 Posts	Re: question about Ford 8.8 gears https://tinsoldierracecars.com/ Sells a kit to strengthen the 8.8 housing or you can get a complete housing.