Fianlly got it last night. Still waiing on the rest of the torque arm setup...3:73's with a 4X1143 bolt patern shortened by 1/2" on each side from stock width.. More pictures to come when the other parts get here..

 

looks GREAT. stock with a lsd or no?

 

Beautiful. Lets know how it handles the curves.

 

You will be doing a full write up on the install, won't you. Along with detailed pics and measurements for us poor ***** that have to build our own.

 

I will do a detailed write-up with pics. It has 31 splined axles and lsd. I was told i should bb able to fit 275/50/15's on the rear with my 2" flares.. We'll see..

 

Looking good, can't wait until I save up and get mine! I would also be interested in a write up of your install!

 

Looks good Steve. When do you thingk you'll have her up and running with the rear on??

 

Putting my new engine together in 2 weeks. then installing the rear.. I got a 20B powered FD also.. Need time to work on that also.. Steve KAn will be tuning both in April..

 

Cool, geez... you got all the toys.. lol

 

I've been doing a little bit of research on the Ford 8.8's to install in the widebody. If you could take measurements, make drawings etc. of the brackets that Granny's uses on thier's and send them to me. I will do a full writeup on how to build one from scratch.

Between you, Dan S and myself. I think we could save members a good deal of cash on the install. I'm quite sure I can build one for less than 1/2 price Granny's is asking. The money saved would be enough for me to be able to buy a decent non-bb turbofor the TII install.

 

It's going to be a great drag car with that torque arm, but it'll never handle like a FB through the twisties again...

 

Why would i want to go throught the twisties? Also it's not a FB...

 

Great idea tochoid, that would be nice. I might be getting your wheels Steve. The enkies you just sold.

 

Hey Gonzz wondering about updates here.

Is the 1/2" they shortened the norm with what they are doing for the 8.8's or did you ask for that length? Have you got this installed yet i'm just wondering what kind of backspacing on wheels your going to be looking at with it installed.

So they ask you what bolt pattern you want to go with? I take it your planning on using the stock SE rear brakes? I was thinking of going the extra step and getting some mustang cobra rear brakes.

I'm also kind of curious if they know the measurement for the driveshaft if you are using a TII drivetrain, would be me running around town trying to get a driveshaft made.

I'm planning on getting my 8.8" from grannys at the end of the month here but i'm going to go with a 4.3 gearing to get me started.

 

With a proper suspension setup (panhard bar, coilovers)and balancing, it would handle better then most 1st gen's. The addition of the larger rear end should only add weight to the rear. Would it handle the same. Probably not. But the Watts linkage is a joke. Look at your upper end Road racing classes that run FB's. Most all use a panhard bar, and a quality coilover setup.

Ask Directfreak how his car handles......

 

Sorry for the late response.. Since i got this 20B powered FD my SA has been on back burner.. The SA will be getting all the attention starting next week...

1. I wanted it shortened 1/2" on each side for my setup.. you don't have to get it done..I have the Z flares on the rear and with my rear wheels it should be perfect on the outside lip clearance.. I am getting the wheels I have (SSR's) widened to 15X10" and going to run 275/50/15 drag radials on the rear. I also have he torque arm setup..


2. I haven't installed it yet so no driveshaft measurements yet. Using a S5 TII transmission... I wanted to keep my gsl-se rear brakes and bolt pattern. You get to choose what you want..


3. I went with 3:73's..I was told it's one of the best gears for my setup and what i want out of the car.. around 110 mph coming out of 3rd gear will be sweet....

If you have any more questions let me know.. I have attached few pics of my new FD.. The car is amazing... It's a pettit racing banzai edition engine.. I have had it over 180 mph on a few occasions in the desert.. tons of fun...

 

Not real familiar with 8.8's, but did they eliminate the c-clips?

 

I'm jealous of your FD thats for sure! Hopefully one day I can get another rotary monster like that.

Just keep us updated when you do get a chance to get some work done on it. Your SA has been one project i've followed for a while.

So for interest sake, is the 1/2" shortened from the length that grannies usually offers the rear ends, or it is off of the stock first gen differential length? Or is it 1/2" shortened from the normal 8.8" length? For the back of my car i'm going to tuck some 17x12 rims and I'm looking at having about 6 inches of lip out back.

 

It's 1/2" shorter on each side from a stock 1st gen rear.. I think the -se and the prior (79-83) rear was a different width also.. Call and talk to Gratt @ grannys to be sure.. When you are ready to purchase it let me know.. might be abe to save you a few dollars..

 

hey im going to be in Vagas this weekend you wanna take me for a ride!?

 

I'll be in San Diego... getting out of the heat for a few days..lol

 

oh its cool i was just playin anyways!
i wouldnt want someone in my car that i never meet!

 

I'll be @ sevenstock.. see yah there..

 

the shaft measurement is 41 1/4" i have the 7.5 but they are identical when you order parts for it they say its an 8.8 with 7.5 ring and pinion size w/e that means any how the shaft measurement its what i stated above. i just got mine today from a local shop. as far as the rear end size they short 1/2 from the factory measurement from ford not from the fb size on mine i kept it the ford size because im using flares as well like you are.

 

In response to Hyper4mance2k, SA's and FB's dont really get set up with coilovers in the rear at all. Coilovers are nice for adjustability on the racetrack, but are not automatically a better performing setup than a proerly configured "stock" style setup. XLR8 is also correct that this totque arn design isn't inherently worse than the stock design and could potentially be better. In roadracing classes that allow a larger amount of modification, most put a third link on the rear to locate and control rotation of the third member and eliminate the poor geometry upper links altogether. A panhard then controls lateral movement, and allows some adjustability of roll center while eliminating the watts link. I haven't examined the Granny;s system for a full engineering assessment, but it could easily improve on the stock geometry and improve the handling of the car. I've got an '83 with a built 215 aluminum V8 in it tucked in the back of the garage behind my '79 EP race car just waiting to be my next project. Since a V8 turns a bunch less revs and has a lot of torque I've found first gear is useless and I run out of revs in 5th before I'm going all that fast. Maybe I will call Granny's and talk to them about trying one of these.