Drivetrain advice for engine swap
MR.GTX, it's the torque that will kill the rear. Not the HP. The 8-1/4 is up to most street duty, no problem. Loyd 360 says to many problems. I haven't seen any problems in street cars. Never once. He makes a mention of the C-clip in the rear. The weak point. If this C-clip breaks, the axles with tire can slide out of the tube. This IS a dangerous thing. However, since your not racing and a mello create engine is all it will see, I can not find a problem in use of a C-cliped rear. The only other rears that are NOT C-clip are the 8-3/4 and Ford 9.
I do not have a torque rating that the 8-1/4 fails at. Loyd360 seems to have an adversion to C-clip rears. I can understand that, once bitten, twice shy.
While a 8-3/4 is a great idea, bucks can get in the way. Or lack there of. Same with the 9-1/4. While a bigger ring and pinion can hold more power, the rear isn't very popular and ring and pinion ratio's are in short surply when it comes to verity. Shorten this rear is a thing I have never seen. While in theroy, a good canidate, for the cost, you may want to look into an entire DANA assembly that will bolt in for a few bucks more.
By the time you referbish the rear and upgraded it with new parts, the DANA bolt in is a sweet deal. All new and ready to go.
Loyd360 also said;
you also can get a short block crate, edelbrock heads, intake etc a little cheaper than the whole crate motor!!
I went this route. It is a good idea. I did a MoPar create short block (JUNK!!!!!) and the Edelbrock heads and intake with a Carter 750 afb, Hooker super comp headers. Theres some fellas here that run low 12's in there A bodies with this set up. This set up is in my E-body Cuda. No times. Just run the street.
The cost of this build isn't in my head, but, since I was getting discounts through the MoPar club and wisely argued at the speed shops there prices vs. Jegs and other speed shop bigs prices, I offered cash while purchasing alot of things at once. They like cash and are happy to fold up some green backs right into there wallet without being taxed.
Shop wisely and save. Talk to the counter peoples and ask for there boss on a cash purchase. Be willing to deal.
I got my Edel. heads intake and everything (Short block up)to blot it on and go for $1300.