Beefing up rear end
 

In the planning stages of ordering a Superformance Cobra. I was questioning the strength of the Ford SVO 8.8 rear. I understand many rearend problems can be traced to worn or damaged bearing caps. Plan on installing trick billet steel main caps for more holding power. Also plan on a Auburn Pro differential and T/A cover. Plan on 600 HP small block stroker, a TKO. Here's the question'(s), how will the rear shafts hold up, traction, etc. Any sites that you can recommend me to for research would greatly help, but I find the members here have real world experience and would like to know what can I (and others) do to increase strength and traction.:confused:

superformance rear ends
 

The 8.8 rear in supers is surprisingly good. It's a nodular aluminum case, and has the large diameter ring gear. I've only seen them break when people hit the curb, or downshift from fifth to first gear, then only the rear cover breaks. This rear holds up to 640 lb/ft without problem, but never put on slicks with that power output and dumped the clutch at 5000rpm. The Tremec you'd probubly run will break first.
If you put in a different differential in the 8.8, you may have to grind .100" or so of the ends on the axles that stick into the diff. Otherwise, the bottom out on the cross shaft that spiders ride on since it's bigger now. That will not allow the retainer rings to seat where they should, the axles will come out 1/2" and gear oil will be able to leak out the axle seals.
The only issue wuth SPF rearends is on the older ones, before they reinforced the forward mounts. The pass side forward diff mount would tear on the cars that make 500 lb/ft or more that have hard drivers.

The axles are quite sturdy, but the CV boots can and do tear. Really good ones are available though if you do need to replace them. On older cars they also can get the band unwrapped off the inner CV if thre rear torques over too far and lets it kiss the framrail. This was corrected a while back by SPF as they moved the diff about 3/8" to avoid this contact.

I would second Aeroace's comments and add that from what I saw at Run & Gun and other track events, traction and strength are not a problem.
Rick

Thanks for the info guys!:) Rod