[455poncho]

I'm building my next project, a 1972 cuda 440 car. I plan to get 550 - 600 hp out of the motor, already have the combo picked out. Question, will the 8.75" rearend handle that much power?? I plan to put 16"x 8" wheels on the car, so it should break traction before breaking anything else, correct??

[cuda66]

Do you have a rear end yet? If you don't then the 8 3/4 is the next best thing to the ford 9 inch. when you look for the rearend you want to check out the castings on the driverside of the pumpkin in the front (the big chunk). The factory made three versions of the rear end. the strongest of the three have the casting numbers ending with 489 488 ( think this is the chunk with a 1 7/8inch tappered pinion). the next is the 742 which will have a smaller diameter pinion. the third I cant remember off hand. The castings were made for different size cars with different hp ratings. But from what i see if you can tear up a 8 3/4 rear you didn't set it up right when installing the ring and pinion. What are so cool about this rear end is that you can purchase a couple of different third members (chunks) and set them up with different rations and it doesn't take that long to swap from gear to gear at the track. I found one that was on ebay and it sold for around 70.00. it was an open carrier not a limited slip or a spool. but all in all that rear end should handle everything that you can throw at it. Cuda

[455poncho]

Thanks for the info!!! When I bought the car, the guy took the third member, so all I have is the axle tube and axles. I missed a 489 case on ebay with all new parts for $300. I'll keep looking, thanks again!

[cuda66]

I might have the perfect thing for you. I know a guy that is parting out a car and he might be willing to sell the third member out of a 8 3/4 if Im not mistaken I think it is a 489 case with an open carrier. I can ask him how much he wants for it if you like. Im sure that there would be shipping on top of the pricew that he quotes but I think he needs the money. Joel