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Thread: rear weight

  1. #1
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    Apr 2009
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    Gloucester, VA
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    Default rear weight

    Anyone know the weight difference between a 9" with drum brakes and a Ford 8.8 with drums? thinking about changing out the rear in my S10 to cut down on weight. I like the 9" because the ratio I run with the T-5 in second gives me the 7.44 i want. I know the 8.8 has smaller selection of ratios but figure the weight savings may overcome the lack of gear selection. All suggestions appreciated.

  2. #2
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    May 2007
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    Colorado
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    Are you happy with the RPM's you're running to get around the track? If you go to the 8.8 will the available gear ratios keep you in the RPM range you want to run? Seems to me all the engine builders design engines to run in a particular RPM range and if you change the rear gear ratio you may not be where the engine will perform at its best.

    I'd say as long as you have the 9 inch already in place, with the huge selection of ratios available, you're probably better off. And you can spend your money on other things that may improve the performance.

    On a side note I think a lot of racers spend way too much money on big engines when they really need to concentrate their efforts on making their car handle.

    Mike

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    359

    Default

    It takes WAY less hp to turn the 8.8 and they do weigh less. There are several gear ratios for the 8.8 as well. Just call Summit, they have gear sets for them in about any ratio you would need.

  4. #4
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    what ratio are you currently running?
    No matter how hard you try...you cant fix stupid!!!

    If you build it right...it will turn left!!!

    www.raceidaho.com

  5. #5
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    May 2007
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    Default

    a 7.5 is even lighter and may have the ratios you can use.

    olin

  6. #6
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    Default

    thats what i was thinking Olin...thats why i asked what current gear ratio is being used
    No matter how hard you try...you cant fix stupid!!!

    If you build it right...it will turn left!!!

    www.raceidaho.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Gloucester, VA
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    174

    Default rear weight

    Right now I'm running a 3.18 lightened, ploished gear. With the 2.34 second in the T-5, I end up at 7.44. On our track, a .395 flat paved oval, I'm turning about 7300 at the end of the straights.

  8. #8
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    May 2007
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    Colorado
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    Default

    Another thought with that 9 inch, what about getting a gear set that has been lightened. Seems to be quite a bit of that available.

    Sorry, but I'm still on my rant about keeping the 9 inch.

  9. #9
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    Apr 2009
    Location
    Gloucester, VA
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    Default Rear weight

    I have a lightened gear set now. I think one of the reasons i'm getting only 7300 with a 7.44 gear is we run 15" tires so my rollout, depending on stagger, is 84 - 86 inches. the 9" is narrowed and has Quick Performance solid axles. Hollow axles are not allowed. the drums (also required) are very big and heavy. i'm looking to cut down on rotating weight, and also looking to shave some overall weight. I figured the 8.8 or maybe the Chevy 10 bolt would do both. the smaller Ford would probably work but those are hard to find in my area.

  10. #10
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    May 2007
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    Colorado
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    Quote Originally Posted by supertruck View Post
    I have a lightened gear set now. I think one of the reasons i'm getting only 7300 with a 7.44 gear is we run 15" tires so my rollout, depending on stagger, is 84 - 86 inches. the 9" is narrowed and has Quick Performance solid axles. Hollow axles are not allowed. the drums (also required) are very big and heavy. i'm looking to cut down on rotating weight, and also looking to shave some overall weight. I figured the 8.8 or maybe the Chevy 10 bolt would do both. the smaller Ford would probably work but those are hard to find in my area.
    I hear ya now. Some issues there to be dealt with. Good luck!

  11. #11
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    May 2007
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    Medford, OR./Tulare, CA
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    Default

    If you could go to a 3.25 you would have a 7.60. If you could find a ford 8" it is lighter and has small drums. We run one in our s10 that has a 2.3 ford in it with a t5 on 15" wheels and depending on the track, we get close to 8000. Not sure if the 9" has 3.25 available in stock form or not. 9" has a lot of gear selections, but yes, they are heavy. We also run a mini spool.
    dr6 motorsports

  12. #12
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    yes 3.25 is available in 8" and 9"....and 3.27 is available in both 7.5" and 8.8"
    No matter how hard you try...you cant fix stupid!!!

    If you build it right...it will turn left!!!

    www.raceidaho.com

  13. #13
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    May 2009
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    1,336

    Default

    Keep the 9" run it in fourth and spend the extra money to get a lightened ratio you can find some up near the 7:30 and higher ring and pinion if you want and look hard. Your giving up way to much horsepower running it at less then one to one to worry about the weight savings in any other rear end they told us 20% on our mod 4 and on a 250 hp motor you do the math......What you might loose on paper in a final drive that a little lower say .10, .20 lower which roughly translates to 200 rpm you will gain back with the 1:1 ratio not to mention for our class hooking up that gear on a narrow tire is hard to do. Run the setup I'm running and it will work.....PM me for details.....

  14. #14
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    May 2009
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    Richmond Gear makes a 7.40 Ring and Pinion 69-0420-L I turned 7500 with a 7.27 Final Drive Its all in the momentum and handling and hooking up the gear but there is your ratio for 4th it will drastically help! Get your RR spring right for that monster sway bar and don't try to reinvent the wheel I had to up the RR spring rate a bit running that big sway bar the standard Rear rates wont work

  15. #15
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    May 2007
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    Colorado
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by C10 View Post
    It takes WAY less hp to turn the 8.8 .....
    So where's the data sheets to back this up? Without good, hard, researched data this statement is pretty hollow and not really worth consideration. Seat-of-the-pants, gut feeling, beer induced BS just doesn't cut it.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    15

    Default

    Pretty much common knowledge that the trade off for the strength of a 9" is the extra horsepower it takes to turn it. If your worried about breaking the rearend the most you need behind a 4 cyl is an 8 in, at least it's lighter and still has the gear ratios.
    If I had the choice I would go for the 8.8 or the small ford if you could find one. What makes the 8" & 9" use more hp is the positioning of pinion in relationship to the ring gear. You can talk to to hot rodders or off road guys.....

  17. #17
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    May 2007
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    Post Falls,ID
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    if you do go with the 9"...i have 4 empty "N" cases ill sell you
    No matter how hard you try...you cant fix stupid!!!

    If you build it right...it will turn left!!!

    www.raceidaho.com

  18. #18
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    1,336

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    All of yall are totally missing the point talking about HP trade off. Running 4th gear 1:1 with the correct final drive takes less HP then running the others in 3 or especially 2nd like he is. Your losing the HP in the transmission through all the gears. Not to mention its not the greatest on the trans. Its not much heavier then the other rear ends and your not running it through all the reduction. He already had a 9" under the truck and no one seemed to know they make the 7:40 gear. We have to shorten the 9" housing anyways and put all the bracketry on it for the leaf springs so you can get all your angles right. I run the track and run up front there every week you can't reinvent the wheel no one else runs 2nd gear 3rd at the least...

  19. #19
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    May 2007
    Location
    sunshine state
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    93

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    what he said!! with the 1 to 1 you can start of in 3rd gear and shift to fourth with a 7.40 in the rear. Definetly don t try to reinvent the wheel....just my .02...
    mark41

  20. #20
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    May 2007
    Location
    NC
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    199

    Default

    I've ran 1 to 1 and through the transmission. Tried all different combos in my 15 years racing. I would rather use the lightest rear end available. Seems to run better with the lighter stuff. What works for one might not work for another.
    2009 & 2010 Rolling Thunder Raceway Mini Stock Champion

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