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Originally Posted by 3.8WillEatYou  ok... I'm new to the whole rearwheel drive arena... so will someone please be kind enough to tell me what the ( explicitive) is a rear-end swap??? I know nothing about cars except what I learned while working on my neon-from-hell... (srt-4) 
... so what gives?!? why do I need to swap out my rear end for 9"... 9" what?  |
Ok, there are a few things to know:
1) the differential (the "pumpkin" looking thing in between the rear wheels that has two axles sticking out of it - google it if you need more info
) comes in different sizes/cases and is measured across its diameter in inches. So, a stock V6 has a 7.5" diff., the GTs and most Cobras have an 8.8", and the largest version is the 9". And yes, bigger is better (stronger).
2) there are different axles that come out of these cases, and they are designated by the number of splines (don't quite know exactly what this is, but again, more is better): V6 has 28 spline, GTs have 31 spline, and I'm pretty sure there are higher splines (like 33)
3) there are different kinds of differentials - check out wikipedia for more info (open diff and LSD = limited-slip diff). V6s have an open diff, so we can only do one wheel burn-outs.
GTs have an LSD, so when they launch, both wheels are churning.
So, what's a rear-end swap? Take the back off of a GT (diff, axles, suspension parts, brakes, support frame) and put it on a V6. It will give you a stronger diff (7.5" to 8.8"), an LSD (better burnouts
), and in some cases, a taller gear ratio to help with acceleration. (for example, 94-98 V6s have a ratio of 2.73, while most GTs and 99-04 Stangs have a 3.27 (and optional 3.55 & 3.73). And you can get them cheap (off wrecked cars, ebay, craigslist, etc).
The downside is you are getting a used diff with wear & tear on it, and it's probably overkill if you aren't making a lot of power... But I think the good outways the bad, IMHO.
Ford 9" rear end swap with 8.8 
and my 1st baby on the way... 
