8.8 in a fc

[Leggman1]

I finally got my fc on the road and I couldn't be happier except for one thing. The 5.11 rear gear in the tII diff has me turning way too much rpm's. I am running 2000 rpm at 60 mph and that's with a aod trans.
My only real option at this point is another rear end.
Should I stay with a irs or go to a solid axle.
The car as of right now is a daily driver and I like it too much to make a race car out of it.
Please chime in with any or all suggestions.
Thanks again
Dave

[N2v8fcs]

Granny's has a solid 8.8 kit and Ronin has an IRS 8.8 .

BTW...The T2 diff is 4.10 

[Leggman1]

Okay, I don't know where I came up with the 5.11 thing. Evidently in checking old posts I was told long ago that it's a 4.10 ratio. The best way to resolve this short term is to run taller tires in the back.
How tall can I go without it looking stupid?

[Leggman1]

I called Tire Discounters and told them what size tires I have (215-60-16) and asked them how big I could go and of course their answer was I need to bring it in so they can do Whatever.
 I guess Monday I will take it to them so they can druel when they see the engine. They can't force me to buy new tires.
 I like driving something rare and different.

[usmcpi]

What size tires do you have now?  When I had my t2 with 4.11's and 275/40/17 (which according to Nitto are 25.6" tires) and was turning around 1700 RPM at 60mph.  I went to 3.73s in a solid 8.8. 

You could also look into rebuilding your AOD with a better 4th gear.  May be more cost effective. 

Also while rebuilding it...might as well replace the weak stock input shaft with a stronger unit  I had a fox body with TFS top end package and it absolutely trashed that stock AOD within a week(while on the street I may add just stomping it here and there from rolls) and left me with only 1st and 2nd gear.  Not fun trying to go 60mph redlining in 2nd gear with the 4.11s i had in it.

[usmcpi]

What size wheels do you have?  That determines what tires you can run, not your current tire size...

[Leggman1]

I believe they are 7-1/2 X 16

[usmcpi]

245/45 or 235/40 are about the widest you can/should go.  Not sure what current tire offerings are, but you may be able to get those in larger sidewalls for a taller tire.

[383mazda]

What gear are you running in your 8.8?  I've got my ronin kit and ford rear end in the garage but am looking for different ring and pinion.  Has 3.73 in it right now but I'm thinking I should go lower.

[Leggman1]

I don't have a 8.8 yet. Just researching and looking for parts right now

[usmcpi]

For a N/A car, I would go 3.73s, maybe 3.55s at the lowest (numerically)

[gc3]

I like driving something rare and different.

what? since when were v8 fcs rare and different? 

i ran 245/50/16s for a while, looked normal to me.

[Leggman1]

I have only seen one other fc on the road around where I live and it was all stock.  In my town people drive tractors down main street.

[Leggman1]

I have a line on a solid 8.8 for 200 so I think I will go that route. What are the pros and cons of a four link over say ladder bars?
Also the solid 8.8 is out of a explorer so it does have disc brakes. The big question is will it have too be narrowed??

[Grr]

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