03 cobra diff options

[MineralCobra]

Hey guys,

The diff decided to quit today on 03 cobra and not in a nice way.. it broke on a 2nd gear pull sending oil and metal pieces down the road. This is still a IRS car.

What are some options for swap, what fits, what's an upgrade etc would like some recommendations so I can start searching to buy a unit. Would like to keep the 3.55 gears they work well w my stick turbo setup. Thanks

 

[01yellercobra]

So the center section blew apart completely? I believe the MN12 T-birds have the same housing, but in cast iron.

 

[MineralCobra]

So the center section blew apart completely? I believe the MN12 T-birds have the same housing, but in cast iron.

Honestly not 100% sure I have to life it up and take a look. But Im sure everything is done inside as broken. Car dosnt move, oil and chunks down the road.

If case is good would it be worth rebuilding? This diff has over 100k miles on it and served well from whipples to twin turbo now 1150whp so no complaints, just want to get it back on the road.

 

[01yellercobra]

If you have chunks on the road I'd say at least the cover is done. But I'd plan on a new housing at this point.

 

[cobracide]

LPW cover or Brace. Surprised you didn't have that already with a turbo and all. LMR has parts. Sometimes you see whole setups being sold here for solid swaps but not that much nowadays.

 

[MineralCobra]

If you have chunks on the road I'd say at least the cover is done. But I'd plan on a new housing at this point.

Thats what am thinking

 

[MineralCobra]

LPW cover or Brace. Surprised you didn't have that already with a turbo and all. LMR has parts. Sometimes you see whole setups being sold here for solid swaps but not that much nowadays.

Yeah I did have the brace that one of the 1st things i did on the car along w all the bushings etc

I use to see diffs and entire IRS being sold left n right.. but ofcourse when you need it none to be found lol

 

[cobracide]

Got it - check out this then.

LPW Support Cover, Differential Cover, Rear End Girdle

LPW high performance aluminum differential covers (rear-end girdles). GM, Chevy, Ford, Dodge Ram, Mopar, Dana, Jeep, Amc applications available

www.lpwracing.com

 

[01yellercobra]

I have the FRPP cover on mine. I like it because it has the supports for the main caps.

 

[biminiLX]

I just picked up a ‘99 Cobra IRS to build for my ‘93 Cobra.
I have a factory Torsen out of a 2013 Boss 302 and GT500 as well as a Tru Trac for a 2014 GT500.
All of those are stock stick/straight axle 8.8s but do those non-IRS differentials still work in the IRS?
-J

 

[01yellercobra]

I just picked up a ‘99 Cobra IRS to build for my ‘93 Cobra.
I have a factory Torsen out of a 2013 Boss 302 and GT500 as well as a Tru Trac for a 2014 GT500.
All of those are stock stick/straight axle 8.8s but do those non-IRS differentials still work in the IRS?
-J

They should as 8.8 is 8.8. But the half shafts on the 99's have 28 splines on the inner CV joints. The 01 and 03/04 have 31 spline inners.

 

[biminiLX]

Yes thank you.
I was starting to research if it can be converted to 31 splines if I’m buying axle shafts anyway. Car will make 650-700rwhp and never see a track, street fun only.
-J

 

[01yellercobra]

Yes thank you.
I was starting to research if it can be converted to 31 splines if I’m buying axle shafts anyway. Car will make 650-700rwhp and never see a track, street fun only.
-J

You'll just need the right half shafts. The outer hubs are all the same. I would go with the 03/04 at a minimum. I grenaded a stock 01 shaft getting on the freeway once on a hard 2-3 shift. I was a little over 600 and running drag radials.

 

[MineralCobra]

Yes thank you.
I was starting to research if it can be converted to 31 splines if I’m buying axle shafts anyway. Car will make 650-700rwhp and never see a track, street fun only.
-J

I have a set of stock 03 cobra half shafts if you looking to buy. Idk where you located

 

[a94cobra]

I have a set of stock 03 cobra half shafts if you looking to buy. Idk where you located

Still have those?