Hi, I'm hoping to start on my grabber re-build soon, I'm planning on tweeking the 302 up to 3-400bhp, it is the standard C4 transmission- but I'm not sure how much the standard 8"(?) rear axle will take? Being an auto it should be less likely to break than a manual- and the car will be road with a bit of strip use only. Advise welcome!
There's no difference between the 8" and 9" axle strength. It's the 8" pinion support that is the weak link.
Could it be modified? Do I assume correctly that it lets go laterally and the gears dont mesh nicely then break? Would be a lot easier than swapping axles if it can be modified...
the 8" uses smaller cap bolts than the 9". usually when a 8" fails its the drivers side cap that brakes. ive never seen the pinion support in a 8" fail. ive seen plenty of 9" one blow out the front of stock cases. the 8" should be fine in a maverick makeing upto 400 hp. also how sticky of a tire you run will have a major effect on the diff. the sticker the tire the beter the chance of brakeing the diff.
I would like some pretty wide tyres, so are there any mods to make it stronger? Depending on what it feels like when re-built I may want to use some nitrous!
If the 8" can handle 400bhp it should be fine, and it is also appealing that it wasted less power and weighs less than a 9". I'd just like to do any mods whilst I'm rebuilding the car to make it stronger than have it go when I'm using it.
