8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

I "thought" the 8.8 Ford rear would be a good choice for my Studebaker project but unless I am overlooking the market, I do not see a pro drag race gear available. Those of you running the 8.8 rear, will it give good service life with an OE style gear? My past shows that I will eventually ask the Studebaker to go fast and quick and I do not want to install something that will not hold up.

I need the rear to live when running low 6's 1/8 mile at about 3000 pounds.

Do some of you run the 8.8 rear at that performance level?

Larry Woodfin

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

After I stopped racing my 85 Mustang in Stock, I installed a 331 SBF in the car, which was otherwise still as it was run as a Stocker. Still had the full stock interior, and weighed the same (3100 pounds), with the same 4 speed Jerico setup. As a Stocker, I ran 4.88 and 5.13 "street" gears in the 8.8" rear, with 9 x 29 1/2" slicks. Typically launched at 62-6400 RPM, with the 331, it ran a best of 10.15 @130 MPH, with mid 1.3 60 foot times, and with the same 4.88s that were in the car when it was a Stocker, I ran it 2 seasons with the 331, after about 5 years with the Stock Combo. Never hurt a ring and pinion with the Motive 4.88s. However, as a Stocker, I broke 2 sets of 5.13s, only running low 12s at 107 MPH, at low 1.60 60 foots. I was not aware of any "Pro" gears for the 8.8" at that time, not sure if that has changed. But if you are running a ring and pinion with a ratio of 4.88 or taller, especially with an automatic, I doubt you should have any gear issues. With the 5.13s, the pinion had 1 less tooth than the 4.88s, and I guess thats where the problem was.

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

Rory, thank you. I appreciate the note. Sounds like I will be OK with a 4.56 and foot brake

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

I have a 8.8 out of a 95 Mustang with 35 spline axels if you are interested. You can call me 210-887-3331.

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

We've run many sets of 8.8 gears in stockers and super stockers. Never had a problem.






Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

Kirk, it is a custom install with custom length housing and axles. Thanks for the offer.

To all, thanks for the feedback and sounds like I will be OK with the 8.8.

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

My experience with a foxbody stickcar and a 8.8,stock suspension, housings are the weakest link even with tubes welded and bracing.put money into a 9" lot parts going to cost the same.axles,spool etc.

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

Yes, you certainly want to have the axle tubes welded to the cast iron center case with a 8.8, and after a couple of years, had to straighten the tubes and brace the tubes, never had any issues after that. A 9" is nice, but building a 9" housing with all the bracketry to allow it to accept the factory style trailing arms is required. So although the spool and axles are priced the same, the custom housing, plus an aftermarket case with a ball bearing pinion support does add to the cost. That said, the 9" does have a much broader selection of available ratios, not to mention many ratios can be had in "pro" gear alloy, so could well be a worthy upgrade for a faster or heavier combination.

Re: 8.8 Ford rear pro drag gear set
 

You can probably find a commercial housing set up the way you need it, at a moderate price. Another thing about the 9" is that you can go way overkill for almost the same price as setups with less strength--31 vs. 35 spline axles, 28 vs. 35 spline pinion, etc.