Weld axle tubes to the center section and brace it. It's not if they will twist but when. With 60fts that low and the torque of a stroked Windsor its gonna happen sooner than later. There are quite a few 8.8 housing brace kits on the market by top suspension companies. A rear girdle wouldn't hurt nothing either. As the old saying goes" id rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

Install 9" big (Torino) bearings diff ends.
Have the tubes welded to the center section.
You need a jig to do this so when it is welded the axle tubes are straight.
Have the rear end braced.
Use a spool, and adjustable pinion shim, billet yoke and go with 35 spline axles.
Billet carrier caps, ARP studs, braced rear diff cover (FMS or similar)
I went this route and have had zero issues with the rear diff running 5.3's in the 1/8.

 

yeah if you are truly gonna run 1.2x 60', 9.00 or faster 1/8, put 9" ends on it for sure. Bracing for sure. Use a solid pinion spacer not a crush washer. GOOD caps (billet) are also a must with studs and not the stock bolts. 35 spline-at the least.

You're gonna put a lot of money into it but you want it to be safe and reliable.

Or buy a bolt-in 9" with whatever gears you want, probably won't be much more money if any. 9" may give up a couple thousandths of ET compared to the 8.8 but that would be splitting hairs.

the very first thing 8.8's need is 9" ends OR c-clip eliminators. If you break an axle and don't have either one, the axle comes right out of the housing. Seen it happen more than once.

 

Has a spool and c clip eliminators already, and good axles.

 

Better yet, just order a 8.8 housing already done right by a top notch chassis shop.

Battle Ready 8.8" Housing – Tin Soldier Racecars Battle Ready 8.8

PF 8.8" Housing – Performance Fabrication LLC PF 8.8" Housing

 

Detroit Speed makes a drop in 3rd member that puts 8.8" gears in a 9" rear end.

https://detroitspeed.com/detroit-speed-assembled-center-section-fn988-ford-8-8-inch-gears-in-a-9-inch-housing-070880-410ds/?srsltid=AfmBOooA2WrIWEmi8bCl1n7o8-XMg2ihmB90Q4RFLOoJUWukQaoDq1cY

Also a note:
35 spline axles are as big as you can go with a 8.8" platform.
To get a 40 spline axle, you have to go to a 9" rear end.

 

$2500 for just a centersection, still need to buy a 9" housing, and special axles, for the privilege of having a slightly smaller than 9" ring gear? Yeahno. Seriously, what's the possible purpose of that? I'll just put an actual 9" in instead of doing all that. Like reaching over your shoulder to scratch your ass.

 

Without a t-brake there's no need to go crazy with a rearend build, the 8.8's can handle a lot more than 1.2's...if it's braced for it. Don't do a 9", waaay more than what you want to deal with..

I think you already get the point of what should be done based on the suggestions posted above....KISS.

ks

 

I was actually thinking of a complete bolt in 9" from Quick Performance. They're pretty cheap for what you get, and I live close enough to them that I could easily go pick it up.

 

Thanks, good advice. I'll check their housings out and see.

 

Here's a link to their stuff. I can't really tell whether they have the mounting ears placed correctly or not. Can you tell? QPFOXComplete-QP 1979-1993 Ford Mustang Fox Body Complete 9&

 

Here's a link to their stuff. I can't really tell whether they have the mounting ears placed correctly or not. Can you tell? QPFOXComplete-QP 1979-1993 Ford Mustang Fox Body Complete 9&

Nope!
If that's the actual housing in that pic then stay away from it...
Where the ears are welded the housing needs to have a section about 1.5" cut out of the housing then the ears welded in that pocket.

ks

 

Dammit. Thank you Kevin, I appreciate the advice.

 

It seems that 31 spline stuff is pretty much the best available. Is this what the heavy hitters run, or are they going to something harder to find with more splines?

 

You can go up to 35 spline with an 8.8"
Those can take a ton of power.

 

Has anyone used or know anything about the Moser M88? They list 33 spline diffs and 40 spline spools as options.

 

That is interesting.
First time I have seen a 40 spline axle for a 8.8"