Rear disc conversion question

[Elias]

I have a few questions I have a 88 MGM with stock 2.73 open diff. i have a posi that I was gonna rebuild and put in my stock axle but after reading about a few members upgraded to rear disc now I'm think of doing the same. I tried to look for the tread but can't find it i know its here. 1 What years make and model axle would I need. 2 also what parts do I need to get. 3 I also found a rear swaybar that bolt to my lower rear arms (I believe it's the thin one, I think it came of a 89 cv not the bigger one) will it still work or would the donor cars swaybar be better. 4 would I need a different drive shaft if so what year and 5 would the control arm be the same or are they better thank in advance

[sly]

thread: http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...r-Disc-Upgrade

[His Royal Ghostliness]

That swaybar will work for you, as long as your lower arms are drilled. If they're not drilled, just make the holes yourself. Rear swaybar from the car that's donating your rear discs will not work easily, it's doable certainly, but it ain't gonna happen without that magical device that can take make two separate metal pieces into one Stick with the bar you have in that picture, it fits properly.

Driveshaft, there's no need to mess with it at all. Leave it be, unless the U-joints are getting funky, in which case replace them and reinstall shaft after axle rebuild is done.

[jaywish]

It is not required that you replace the axles if they are in good condition.

It is often nice to get another axle housing with control arms, do a complete rebuild on the new assembly and then swap in the whole assembly. If you have the space to work this is a convenient way to go. 90-95? (am I right in the year range here guys?) housings are just slightly wider which is a small plus and are a direct bolt in. The 92 & up could be equipped with disks. This procedure has the advantage of less vehicle downtime and it is also a convenient time to replace the control arm bushings.

[gadget73]

90-97 is the direct swap range with the wider axle assembly. 98+ mounts differently.

[Elias]

90-97 is the direct swap range with the wider axle assembly. 98+ mounts differently.

Also are the rear ends the same on aero Vic's

[BigMerc96]

Also are the rear ends the same on aero Vic's

All CV/GMQ/Town Car axles are the same for a given year range save for the gear ratio. They all have the same physical mounting points and disk brakes. The years that fit a box body are '92-'97, with '95-'97 having slightly larger/beefier brakes.

Town Cars all had 3.08s for the year ranges that'll work for you. That is except for the Town Car Signature Touring from '95-'97 which would have 3.27s.

CV/GMQ had 3.08s until '94. Starting in '95 with the switch to the 4R70W transmission, they received 2.73s as standard. This is excepting the cars with the factory Handling/Performance Package which like the Signature Touring would have had 3.27s. Also the Aero P71 package which also had 3.27 as standard with the option of 3.55 most years.

[mcninetyone]

My car, a 91 CV, came with a 2:73 open rear end. I picked up a low miles, complete rear end, not a PI from a 92 with a 3 L 55 rear end and of course the disc brakes came with it.
swapped that into my 91 and reused my 91 CVPI sway.
Basically a bolt in job!

[Elias]

Also are the rear ends the same on aero Vic's

Thanks for the help I'm still undecided of which gears to go but at least now i knows which ones to look for. Ima go for 3.27 most likely or 3.55

[BigMerc96]

If its a stock LoPo, 3.55s are a bit much for them. I've been in a few boxes with 3.55s and the engine is just out of its power band too quickly. 3.27 would probably be about perfect, its not going to lug the engine like 2.73s but it'll keep the RPMs closer to where a stock LoPo makes "power". Unless they are modified, 5.0s just don't like to rev, they fall flat on their face past 4k RPM. That all changes when you start tweaking the heads/cam/exhaust of course, they can be pretty lively and could really take advantage of a more aggressive gear.

[Elias]

If its a stock LoPo, 3.55s are a bit much for them. I've been in a few boxes with 3.55s and the engine is just out of its power band too quickly. 3.27 would probably be about perfect, its not going to lug the engine like 2.73s but it'll keep the RPMs closer to where a stock LoPo makes "power". Unless they are modified, 5.0s just don't like to rev, they fall flat on their face past 4k RPM. That all changes when you start tweaking the heads/cam/exhaust of course, they can be pretty lively and could really take advantage of a more aggressive gear.

Im In the process of gathering parts I already have a gt40 intake I'm getting Wednesday and maybe some gt40 heads but won't be on the car any time soon just don't want to change gears again when I upgrade its mostly a freeway driver

[His Royal Ghostliness]

I'd stick with the 3.27s then, you Texans are speed demons so the 3.55s may be a bit too much when you're keeping up with traffic at 90mph.

[Elias]

I'd stick with the 3.27s then, you Texans are speed demons so the 3.55s may be a bit too much when you're keeping up with traffic at 90mph.

hahaha

[His Royal Ghostliness]

I was actually being serious tho - nowhere else have I witnessed a 90mph wreck between two pickups pulling trailers the size of some people's houses, them northbound lanes of whatever interstate runs out of San Antone by Austin towards Dallas must have been closed for quite a while to clean up that mess.

[DerekTheGreat]

If its a stock LoPo, 3.55s are a bit much for them. I've been in a few boxes with 3.55s and the engine is just out of its power band too quickly. 3.27 would probably be about perfect, its not going to lug the engine like 2.73s but it'll keep the RPMs closer to where a stock LoPo makes "power". Unless they are modified, 5.0s just don't like to rev, they fall flat on their face past 4k RPM. That all changes when you start tweaking the heads/cam/exhaust of course, they can be pretty lively and could really take advantage of a more aggressive gear.

This. Not sure when Ford made the decision but sometime 86+ all Signature series and up trim level Town Cars were standard with 3.27's. Mine has 'em. Put me a Trac Loc back there when I got it and bought snow tires cause I thought I was going to drive it in the salt and winter.