MG Sports Cars

Graham,

The 8.8 is more than strong enough for most of us. Cause it's Ford's version of the the good ol' 12 Bolt Chevy! The axles are weaker than the 12 Bolt, though. I have a 12 Bolt in my Camaro - Don't need no stinkin' 9 Inch!

If I remember you trimmed a good bit of weight from yours to make it a bit more acceptable. I still believe with upgrades the 8 Inch would be fine to 400-450HP for non-slicks & no 5000rpm launches, Should hold up for road racing.

Here's an 8.8 article for ya:

[www.carcraft.com]

Carl, Uh, I think I'm having Deja Vu! The 8.8 article emphasizes what I've been preaching for years. Get rid of C clips, use 9"ends and solid pinion spacer. The stock 8.8 and 7.5 use the same 28 spline axle and bearings. The only difference is ring gear and spider gear size. The 90-92 Ranger with 4.0 V6 has the narrowest offset axle 8.8 where you only shorten one tube. You cut 1/2" off splined ends to eliminate the C clips and shorten both sides further. Use the Moser small 9" ends for 8.8 (same as 8" bearing). That way you can convert to Mustang disk brakes. Turn axle down .020 on bearing surface. Press on 9" bearing and retainer. Same width as MGB axle and much stronger. Or even make shorter, like a 7.5 in a Spridget using cut to fit 8" axles,same 28 spline as 7.5 and 8.8.
[www.yukongear.com]
The Explorer axle and some High Performance Mustangs had the 31 spline axles but are much wider. Uh Oh, he may be reading this thread for his next article! Just kidding, great minds think alike.LOL



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2014 09:18PM by mgb260.

Thanks, That is a lot of interesting information.
Looks like the 8.8 is favourite. Shame there are not more of them over here.

I have ordered some coil overs today and will rig everything up using an old mg axle until I am happy with ride height and spring rate etc. Then I will have all the measurements for the new axle.

All these axle companies must be really busy because it is really difficult to get a reply from most.

Mark

Don't the battery boxes have to be cut to use the 8.8?

Jim

No.

Good to know. I would have had to cut the boxes to use the Ford IRS with the 8.8, but I guess that was because of the mounting lugs.

Jim

I had to notch the webbing on my 8.8 to clear the battery box. possibly weakened it a "TAD" but do not get enough traction to cause a breakage problem.
SAFETY FASTER!

Latest thought is to fit a gripper LSD to the existing mg housing with provision for 28 spline shafts. Have new 9" ends welded to my tubes.
This would be the easiest option and I could also get good money for the quaife that I take out.
28 spline axles look a fair bit bigger than the Mg 21 splines.

Good plan?

That should just about take care of the weak shafts and spiders. It'll hold up for awhile that way but with 400 hp you might want to keep at lease one spare around for when you need, it as you almost certainly will.

Jim

Mark, another weak point on the stock rear is the pinion crush sleeve. Should do a solid spacer and shims. I don't know what a Gripper is but I thought of a Aussie(Lokka) Locker for the 7.5 or 8"with the MGB cross pin. $250 with free shipping. Are you using the MGC ring gear?

[lokka.com]

[fordmuscle.com]



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2014 09:24PM by mgb260.

This is a great thread. I was seriously looking at a Ford 7.5" as a future upgrade but the 8.8" with 28 spline axles is probably the way to go. I was under the impression that the 8.8" was a really heavy rear end but it seems that the Explorer 8.8" with the 31 spline axles, and disc brakes weighs about 175 lbs. compared to about 160 lbs. for the stock axle. I would imagine that the 28 spline unit cut down for a B wouldn't be too far away from a stock rear end weight wise. According to info in the archives here the Dana 44 weighs about 190 lbs. I know this probably doesn't do much for Mark's situation across the pond but it was helpful for me.

The Mopar 8 3/4" is plenty stout and with a Mopar Performance aluminum housing and Wilwood disc brakes I was able to get the weight down to around 160lbs if I remember correctly.

Pros,
Many came with limited slip.
Fairly easy to narrow and Moser has custom length axles.
Fairly light for how strong they are.
Aluminum housing saves about 9 pounds.
Still easy to get re-build parts for.


Cons,
Some of the taller gear ratios are getting harder to find new. (3.23 is just about ideal in an MGB with a V8)
The aluminum housing is expensive (about $1000)

Nuetral,
The aluminum housing requires removing the driver's side battery box on chrome bumper cars.

Bill

My 8.8 started life in a '95 Mustang - I had to remove quite a bit of extraneous nodular housing bracketry that wasn't needed for the MG for weight savings......unfortunately I don't have a final weight.......Here's the final configuration.

Final configuration?! You don't run rear brakes, Graham? ;)

Until I get ready to jump into the 300+HP pool, I think Jim Nichols' 7.5" Ford would do just fine for me.

Carl, if I remember correctly, you always said "brakes are highly over-rated". Or was it " Brakes? Who needs Brakes?" Anyway, hope you're staying warm.

Started chopping the MG today. Removing the rear of the boot floor and all the metalwork above the axle . This will make the whole job of fitting the suspension links much easier. Still planning on the Mumford linkage but will probably use a 4 link system as I am not keen on welding a a bracket to the cast diff. Will post pics. Also Collected new coilover shocks today.

Mark

{Final configuration?! You don't run rear brakes, Graham? ;) Until I get ready to jump into the 300+HP pool, I think Jim Nichols' 7.5" Ford would do just fine for me.}

Agreed.......putting together a 7.5" right now. The stock 3.9 has had a low growl for the past four years but got a bit worse last summer. Time to change it out. Planning to keep the stock drums though.

I'm running a Ford 8 inch ( [www.britishv8.org] ) because Les Gonda did ( [www.britishracecar.com] ). Mine doesn't have the upgraded third member but I did install new gears and a limited slip and upgraded half shafts. No problems yet, but I really don't have a lot of really hard track miles on it yet either. But I'd bet Les Gonda does.

And here's how to make yours like Gonda's if you have a little extra cash.

[www.currieenterprises.com]

How about Ted Lathrops 8" with Auburn possi (sp) with 32 spline axles and spyder gears ($$$$)?.I upgraded to 32 spline axles. I figured as lite as these cars weigh. This is what Brenda's GT will have and I know her engine will put 400+ to the ground. My setup just came in today from Ted! Very well made and clean looking.












Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2014 10:46PM by 74ls1tr6.

Calvin, that's gorgeous!