CTS Spider

[Mater]

the panthers used the 8.8 and also have discs as well. so finding parts is realy easy for the 8.8


the panthers had a few gearing options. most civies had 2.73 or a 3.23 (mine) the interceptors had 3.23 or 3.55. and every one can be had with limited slip

[Stich496]

not all panthers use the 8.8 some have the 7.5
town cars are another option with low gears 2.50 ish

[Mater]

i am talking '92-'11 only option was 8.8

[Beagle]

A 7.5 with a rebuilt traction lok will probably live with no more weight than you're going to be pushing with it. You can buy a new traction-lok for a couple hundred if it's open and you want a limited slip. The Rangers and Aerostars had all kinds of gears if the 2.73's turn out to be too high, and I imagine there are about a milllion of those in the yards. I just don't see the 7.5 auto-imploding...

Spool! Oh, wait, she will want it to turn... hmm. I couldn't find one anyway, and I'd fozzie locker it before doing that. M4204C75 is Ford's replacement Traction-Lok, or maybe a Detroit Locker from Drivetrain Specialties? Again, back to the weight, I'm thinking even with the lowly traction-lok, it's going to be a handful in the rain.

I love this page for reference: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

[SuperBuickGuy]

@ Mater - good suggestion on the panther platform, it doesn't matter if I'm cutting 6" off each side or 6'

we have one u-pull it yard - the other yards sell the parts for the price you would normally pay for the entire car. in the u-pull-it they didn't have any ranger pickups, even CL doesn't have any ranger pickups with 8.8s - most have 7.5s, and there are lots and lots of exploders being parted out.

as for rain, the car won't have a top or wipers - so its rain usage will be limited.

[STINEY]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.......no top or wipers? Only driven when not raining?

So THAT's how you are going to win the MPG bet. Pretty sneaky, building a car that can never be driven up there in rain soaked Washington state, I commend you on your craftiness.

[BBR]

X2 on the trac lok 7.5. They are significantly stronger than their peg leg brethren. Had you envisioned this project earlier, I had a 3.08 geared trac lok 7.5 that was originally in my Mustang. It was ripe for the pickin'. Sadly it went away with the big junk pile when I moved.

With a very light car, I think a 7.5 will be fine and an 8.8 would probably be overkill.

[milner351]

No top?

that's going to kill aero and therefore - kill mpg....

[SuperBuickGuy]

It's almost like you guys think I don't listen to you. 1) roadster windshield and toneau cover; 2) belly pan; 3) lowered with front spoiler; 4) google "Columbia River Gorge, I-84" look on google maps then add this little overlay - I used to live there and used to really enjoy the windsurfing.... why? did I mention slight downhill (from the east) and 60 mph tailwinds?

and you thought I became a lawyer because of my good looks and charm

the 7.5 I have is 3.08.... too bad about the trac loc that'd have been cool

[BBR]

Pretty much every Mustang GT from 82-85 had one in it. Shouldn't be too hard to find one. Some were 2.73, some 3.08 and others 3.27.

I'd just get the trac lok unit and swap it in with my existing gears.

[Stich496]

i am talking '92-'11 only option was 8.8

I have a 99 and there is a listing for both..
not like fel pro couldn't have screwed up on the listing, but I'd think it be fixed by now..
but mine does have an 8.8 disc rear

[Mater]

according to the '97 ford services manual only axle is a 8.8 it could possibly have changed witht he 98 remodle


but i have never seen a panther at my work with a 7.5 and i work on civilian and fleet

[SuperBuickGuy]

I love UPS... they make me happy
two, black boxes


with these cute little hairdryers inside (it is for my wife, after all)

[BangShift McT]

Light car, torquey motor, boost, wet roads. No, this won't be a problem...

[SuperBuickGuy]

so, love the new article about cheap turbos in Car Craft... wonder where they got the idea to do the story?

Bryan - don't forget vertical torque curve and my wife who likes her ecobox because it takes so long to speed up that she doesn't get as many tickets... nope, not a problem at all (did I mention I'm building a funny car roll cage in this too? - only slightly kidding)...
anyway, another 15 minutes of progress

I hope Bob chimes in on this one - I think -1 degree of camber isn't enough for a car that will see track duty


bright side is the stock springs with the stock spindle height is perfect (bad news is I have a new set of 2" drop spindles that will be collecting dust until my next ebay blowout)


so I built myself a 2x6 turbo mount and set the turbos in the engine compartment - there will be some figuring as I think the passenger side will be the worst side (now it'll be the driver's side because those Italians are just persnickety)



I think this should be entitled Ikea table... or "some assembly required"


actually, I think the next step will be to figure out which end of the turbo gets engine exhaust, then build a jig to hold the turbos in place, pull the engine and build the manifolds in the middle of my shop floor....