Wedge 1981 TR8 (300hp) need ideas Pros/Cons to upgrade my rear end differential. Do i go Quaife or Ford 8/9inch? or other alternatives

[TR8ToddSomers]

I have a 1981 Highly modified Triumph TR8, Stroked out original engine to 300hp. I have upgraded front suspension, and brakes. Swapped out my Transmission for a Toyota supra W57. 15 in. Wheels Vertical doors. Body kit. But now i need finish the drive train with LSD, posi, Quaife Diff with better gearing... OR ...i was told a whole ford 8" rear end or with axle that comes with brake rotors...Anyone with Pros and cons and or with used parts...Im in Iowa USA... please call 515 718.5681 or email tsomers at protonmail ...I dont want a monster...just a reliable and mean rear end to max out the ability of these beautiful cars. See my pic View attachment 106972

 

[IdahoNuke]

Cool car, Todd.

IMHO: The Ford 9-inch is kind of the standard, traditional, rear end for high power hot rods. But a lot of people use the Ford 8.8 because it's more available and can be had with limited slip and disk brakes. It can easily handle 300 hP. One out of a first gen Explorer (a little over an inch wider than the stock TR8) might fit pretty close overall. It would also have options for gearing. That's probably what I would do.

But it's not what I did. Consider that a first generation Miata independent rear suspension and differential would fit perfectly (1/4 inch narrower than the stock TR8) and probably handle the power just fine. They are available with limited slip. It would be a lot of work swapping in the rear subframe for the solid axle and leaf srpings. But obviously you are not afraid of change.

Good luck!

Reese

 

[mctriumph]

The only thing wrong with the Dana rear axel is that there never were any different gear sets to be had for it.
It is a 3.7 and is bullet proof.
Our Triata race car had the Miata subframe and suspension under it from a 1.8 as the 1.6 is wimpy and will fail.
This involved much welding and making up shock towers to put the coilovers in. The final bit was shortening the Miata
torque brace and fixing it to the bulkhead behind the seats. This lowered the car a good 2 inches and gained rear disc brakes.
This took only a day and transformed the car. PM me for more details
Mad dog

 

[Pat MM]

Here is a great site about the 8.8” axles. Many different widths and ratios are available.

Ford 8.8-Inch Rear Axle History & Specs - The Ranger Station

Here is the Ford 8.8 axle history and specs as it relates to the 1983-2011 Ford Ranger. It became standard in 1990

www.therangerstation.com

 

[mctriumph]

Funny story about the Dayna in the Tr7/8. Contacted the manufacture to try to chase down some
411 gears. The man I spoke to laughed and said he wasn't born at that time. No records were found.
Mad dog

 

[TR8ToddSomers]

Ok All great suggestions ... Let me limit my question...First NOT a limited budget and i dont want to reinvent the wheel. Its like when i give it the beans ...im not thrown back in my seat... Performance wise ... adding a Quaife dif would give me a score of what? 30% bump? Vs 8.8 Ford? Would the performance bump be more or less that the Quaife. Yes I know it will cost more to modify the whole rear axle.... BUT i would get disc brakes AND i heard you can change the gearing on the Ford for quick of the line vs High end speed. And when you ask what do i use it for... i wanna be able to use it as a daily ...and maybe hit a few auto crosses... but just like to pull up next to a Porsche and watch his mouth drop. llol So i guess you call that Stage 2... Thanks for all your advice guys....

 

[Rocky_LC]

I don’t know which Dana axle variant is in a TR8, but this can help you.

There are numerous ratios available for the Dana 44 (which is basically the same as the Salisbury in the Jaguar and Jensen Interceptor).

Rocky