Thanks! things are going slower than I'd like, but hopefully that will change soon.

 

What rear end are you using?

 

It's an aluminium 8.8 from a Cobra.

 

What kind of axles are you going to run in that cobra rear steve?

 

I have V8R stage 2 axles.

 

Are they 31 spline inner CV's?

 

No they are 28 spline. My diff is from a 99 cobra which was 28 spline. I believe only the stage 3 axles are 31 splinr

 

Nice! I looked for a 99 cobra rear but couldn't come up with much, I got one from an 03 that I am attempting to work through.

 

Are they CTS-V / Ford axles or miata axles that fit into the diff?

 

They are ford 8.8 on the inside and for the outside its a larger diameter than a stock Miata hub. What the exact size is I'm not sure though.

 

That means they have to be custom built then. I was hoping there was a way to build my own.

 

Yes, there's some info out there about factory five axles, but I'm not sure of any of the details on those so you'd have to do some searching around and see what you'd need to use those and where they are available.

 

Got the gussets out this weekend. Also, cleaned the garage and you all can see how small it is

 

Awesome progress.

Finding an 8.8 (for a decent price) has been harder that I thought it would be, as well.

 

That depends on the 8.8. I was in a junk yard last weekend and saw no less than ten of the steel versions. If you are wanting a aluminum cobra one I suggest watching the mustang forums, in particular corral.net. I bought mine from a guy on there, 430 to my door with low miles so I don't have to do any work to it.

 

I'm definitely not picky and don't have to have an aluminum one. I just want to make sure it's an LSD.

 

I'd say you'd be best off then to just get a cheap one and put an LSD in it. Or you could do like I did and just ask people if they'd part out the center section.

Heres one on corral right now

For Sale 04 Cobra IRS - Ford Mustang Forums : Corral.net Mustang Forum

 

Don't get too excited about the aluminum housing, they weigh almost as much as the steel ones, like maybe 2-3 lbs lighter. And the most prevalent aluminum ones are the ones from the Mark VIII Lincoln, which are usually open because of the electronic traction control they use. On a positive note, if you can find one of the original Mustang Cobra diffs, they are always lockers.

In these parts, 3.08 open is the most common.

This little table helps when you're in the junkyard looking altho it applies to 7.5 as well as 8.8:

Under the "AX" on the door jam sticker:
Conventional Lock Rear Axle Ratio
G H 2.26
B C 2.47
8 M 2.73
7 - 3.07
Y Z 3.08
4 D 3.42
F R 3.45
5(W5) E(XE) 3.27
6 W 3.73
2 K 3.55
A - 3.63
J - 3.85


Mike

 

Aluminum diffs are right at 8 lbs lighter so you're right cvx, not too much. But then you are also right in that they have the factory trac lok, and my 03 came with 3.55 gears.

 

You're not kidding, I've been looking for one since I got my car nearly a year ago and finally got a hold of mine. Yeah, I'd probably just find the cheapest one you can and rebuild it and put a trac loc in it. It will end up costing a good bit but you'll know everything is good and new.

 

Got the tunnel cut this weekend. Also ordered a bellhousing, starter, and a dakota digital speedo converter. Test fit scheduled for this coming weekend!

 

Man, you're smack dab in the middle of the fun part of the build. Get the tunnel completed and this build will start picking up speed..! Really like how this builds coming together and admire the long tube Kooks. Nice equipment/ specs in this little V8Roadster.

Enjoying the build.

 

^+1

 

Got a dolly built last night to wheel the engine and subframe under the car.

 

Nice