8.8 rear end--How much abuse can it take.
 

I have seen 3 stangs in the last year break there axles at the track. The LS1 guys started yelling get the dead pony off the track. Us stang guys got our laughs in when an LS1 guy was burning out and smoke was pouring out the only problem was his tires were not moving.:D

I was just wondering since I plan on running slicks when I go to the track next month and I will most likely have to dump the clutch at 3500 rpms to hang with the local competition.

I am not worried about the T-5 cause if it goes I have an excuse to upgrade.

Thanks,

yeah
 

very interested in the same question

It's hard to say how much power one will hold, but high to mid 12's is no sweat for the 8.8's. They are strong stock and can be built to handle 9sec passes all day. It is safe to say that if your t5 can hold up your 8.8 should have no problem.

I have ran alot of passes at 12.90, dumping the clutch on 10.5 M/T at 4,800 with the bone stock rear end no problems yet I've see alot of guys at the track running 11's with out any problem.

The 8.8" rear end is quite strong, even in stock form. The axles may fail should you get near the 10's or faster. I agree with the statement that your T-5 will let go before your rear end.

Professionally speaking, the 8.8 is reliable up to 400 horsepower. Personally speaking, I've seen them survive higher hp drivelines, and I've seen them let loose on weaker hp drivelines. If you are planning on running an engine with 400+ hp, I would get a 9 inch. Less than 400 hp, an 8.8 should be okay.

Take care,
-Chris

Unit, you think the stock axles can hold up until you close in on 10's?

I know the carrier can hold up, but never thought the axles were nearly that strong.

I sure hope they are, because I'm gonna try my slicks out this season since now I have a T-5 and can actually utilize them (no stall with the AOD).

Some goon featured in an article was going for a 10sec pass with them. He shredded them on the first attempt. He had been running 11's with them, but as you get closer to the 10's I'm sure your chances of them holding are really reduced.

Those GM geeks were making light of an 8.8?

Thats the pot calling the kettle black, cause they've got a pretty wimpy set-up themselves, seems to me the GM axle (7.5?), is probably the weakest link in the LS-1 cars.

I suppose the biggest problem for the 8.8 are the c-clips, pretty weak in that area? If your gonna keep the 8.8 (its about 4 or 5% more efficient than a 9 inch), then upgrading to a set of c-clip elmiminators are a good idea, you can also upgrade to 31 spline axles, but that requires a new carrier. A modified 8.8 can take a good amount of abuse, the full boogie treatment (big spline axles, c-clip eliminators, new carrier, gridle, axle braces, welding up the tubes) probably doubles the abuse it can take.

IMO the 8.8 is pretty good cause its more efficient and lighter than a 9 inch

I am probably around 285-290 HP so I should be in the safe range. Thanks for the replies