i was thinking of changing out my stock axle with the 8.8 rear axle assembly with 3:73 gears. is it worth it. i hear the transmission will not handle it. does it come with the t-lock already or what. please help me out
First off, the automatic transmission in the newer v6's is the same as the GT. There are tons of guys making over 400 rwhp on the stock tranny and some making even more than that. The manual tranny is a T5 which has been used on earlier models of mustang GT's and there are plenty of guys making lots of power with no problems.
Determining whether the 8.8" rear is for you or not is based on what else you plan on doing to/with your car. If you're going to install a power adder (supercharger, nitrous, or turbo) and going over 300rwhp then you'll want the 8.8" for peace of mind. The same applies if you're doing major engine work (ie: stroker kits, pnp heads or a head/cam swap) you'll want the 8.8" if you go over 300rwhp just to be safe.
If you plan on racing with drag radials then you'll want the 8.8" with anything over 250rwhp.
At the same time there are plenty of guys running s/c or n20 mustangs with the 7.5" and making over 300rwhp with no trouble but there have been some instances of failure with that much horsepower and torque. Thats why its better to get it if you're going over 300, just to be safe.
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Black 2005 Mustang v6, 5 speed, IUP, EUP and Leather.
Razzi 1/4 window scoops, Mustang GT Sway Bars, Flowmaster American Thunder Single Exhaust, Clear Front Turn Signal Lenses, Demolet CAI, X-cal2 91 tune, Hurst Comp/Plus Shifter, FRPP T-Lock, Ford 3.73 gears
What black05 said is completly true. Im a fan of running the 8.8 but the stock axle is known to be good upto 350rwhp. Now if your rough on the car, it might break under that, but thats the general rule of thumb. If you buy a complete axle with the gears it does include tlok such as the setup from newtakeoff.com. Buying a pre assembled axle will save a good bit on the installation cost and make the kit closer to the price of just buying gears and tlok for the 7.5.
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2006 V6 auto with the pony package
adding to it everyday
well, considering you do want 3:73's and a trac lock, if you add up the install of these two on your 7.5 and compare it to buying a new 8.8 with 3:73 and trac lock, you end up spending MAYBE 300$ more on the 8.8 with instal. imo, thats a helluva cheap insurance upgrade if youre considering more power. its the route ill be goin, and the route of many other guys. check them out at newtakeoffs.com if you do buy, make sure you get the one with a cobra pinion flange, so it will fit your v6 drive shaft.
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2006 4.0 V6 Mustang/X Charger #128 Mods: Too many, check out my profile. Probably currently under modification...
thankz guys. i think that i'll go with the 8.8 axle. planning on getting the x-charger and axle at the same time. axle work should be easy right if doing it on your own. what about installing the x-charger at home. is it easy or what.
I've got 8.8" rear ends here with 4.10s and V6 pinion flanges, and T-loc. They are a better investment than just gearing the 7.5"
And they work with the ABS if you have the Pony Package V6.
I'd also recommend a rear sway bar while you're back there if you don't have the pony package, got plenty of those too. Always taking them off GTs to upgrade them, and the stockers are perfect upgrades for V6 cars.
thankz guys. i think that i'll go with the 8.8 axle. planning on getting the x-charger and axle at the same time. axle work should be easy right if doing it on your own. what about installing the x-charger at home. is it easy or what.
I would imagine the X-charger is similar in setup to the Whipple and i see guys doing the installs but they know their stuff. IMO unless you are in the biz, leave a blower install to the pros
8.8 rear axle really worth it. 
(Mods in profile)
