FD Explorer 8.8 Diff Kit

[osburn383]

Did you settle on a ratio? I also have a 04 GTO t56, and i would think 3.73 gears would be no good. I have the Auto FD 3.90 and it sucks. I was actually thinking of going 3.27 with my ford 8.8.

I'm running a t56 Magnum with 3.31 gears. 75mph and im turning 2,000 rpms, and my first gear is usable now. 
[/quote]

No im back up looking for one since i got a new job.
I was thinking the gto ratios where not good for a 3.73.
First gear as it stands i never use it.

Thanks for the input.
Would love a magnum but have other mods to get first.

[osburn383]

Ok after doing a little research and a gear ratio calculator I think the 3.55 will be good for my ratios and power output.
With that ratio it says it will be doing 2500rpm in 6th gear at 88mph on 24inch tall tires.

Will probably pickup a new cobra lsd since its about 220 from american muscle since they have it on sale.
Just need to wait for the my local pull yard to have a sale weekend to get the housing and axles.

[moores.4]

A few packages arrived today from Ronin Speedworks.. left the US last thursday and has arrived in Australia the following Wednesday (5 business days). 
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All items were extremely well packaged and as you can see custom.. I will only be running the earlier model Explorer diff with the single front mount on my FD as Australia didn't recieve the later model Ford Explorer and the cost of freighting the later model diff from the US wasn't economical. The FC was designed with the same combination so running this on the FD won't be a problem. (the other mount was included in the kit in case I wanted to change it down the track)
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I also decided on keeping the trac-lok for street driven application so invested in a full master rebuild kit from Drivetrain America and the Cobra Carbon Clutch diff pack from Ford racing.
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A huge thanks goes out to Joel and the Team at Ronin for producing a quality kit with outstanding customer service. Joel was extremely accommodating and patient working through every challenge I presented him with a workable solution. 
Now just need to find time to rebuild the diff and pull the rear subframe for assembly.

Thanks, Rob.

[65imp]

We got you man!

[frijolee]

Very welcome Rob,

Always fun seeing our parts end up on cars abroad.  Without the internet that probably couldn't have happened 30 years ago.  For anyone who missed it: Rob's car is absolutely top shelf quality.  http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=21838.0, that makes us doubly proud when the most discriminating users are picking us.

FWIW: we're in process of building a custom FD 8.8 for another user with both front interface points un-welded and delivered "on the side".  He already has a built Cobra rear end so he's going modify our setup to fit.  I expect we'll have more info one how well that works out after we get this delivered and he's up and running.

[moores.4]

Hi All,

removed my rear subframe from the FD yesterday so thought this was a good opportunity to grab a few snaps of the Explorer diff Vs the FD RX7. As Gyan mentioned in an earlier post the Explorer diff sits 3/8" (10mm) back further than the factory FD Diff.

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[moores.4]

Hi,

need to know if the driverside hard brake line that runs to the caliper needs modifying or does it clear the inner Explorer CV boot? 

thanks,

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[Jordan Innovations]

Yes, it'll probably need to get moved - I don't recall exactly where the factory one was, but I know my lines (similar placement) needed moving.

[frijolee]

Boots can grow a bit at high speeds so you want that line pretty well clear.  The easiest way to do it is just by hand with the lines hooked to bracket to be sure everything moves together.

[pdx95fd]

I just installed my new 8.8 kit. It looks great! I ran into an issue . When putting the rear subframe back in, it hit the charcoal canister. I didn't realize it at the time and now the canister is kinda smashed. Can I just remove it?  has Anyone else had this problem?

[moores.4]

I just installed my new 8.8 kit. It looks great! I ran into an issue . When putting the rear subframe back in, it hit the charcoal canister. I didn't realize it at the time and now the canister is kinda smashed. Can I just remove it?  has Anyone else had this problem?

The canister has to be moved slightly you can reuse one of the original mounting holes the other I just drilled and put in a rivet nut all fits okay. Not sure how you would have smashed it putting the subframe back in it ??

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[osburn383]

Just got my Kit In Yesterday!
Very nice quality parts and packing job.
Now time to go by LKQ on Friday to get my Diff assembly.

[moores.4]

Hi Guys,

been a little busy to update, the install is finished and going well. I want to again thank the team from Ronin for an awesome conversion kit for the 8.8. I still can not believe the difference it has made to the car with the 3.73 gears over the 4.11 as I can now use 1st and 2nd gear and at 3,500 rpm in second the car acts like an animal and just spins like it is hitting boost and stays stout all the way to the rev limiter..  It has dropped 300 rpm at 100 kMH/62 MPH on cruise in 5th (1,800 rpm) and 6th (1,500 rpm) so for a street application I'm sold on the 3.73 ratio. Also love the ground clearence as you can see by the photo plenty of daylight and most importantly no wheel hop..

Big thumbs up for outstanding customer service and a quality product to match...

Rob.

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[chrispypunk86]

What is everyone using for their snap ring on the rx7 stub to axle? I tried using the factory one and it doesn't want to sit in the groove.

[99RedCivic]

What are the options for the 2 polyurethane bushings on the differential? What manufactures make bushings for these?