My CS 8.8 is now in and what a great improvement! I'm taking it easy for a few hundred miles but just in terms of driveability....no more trouble getting into 1st or reverse, no more "rubber band" feeling of changing gears and the drivetrain feeling wound up. I look forward to banging through the gears, but I'm waiting about 500 miles. I kept the 3.73 ratio and went with the Ford clutch limited slip.
CREATIVE STEEL: CTS-V 8.8 Rear Diff Swap BOLT IN
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let us know if you hear anything.. thanks
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congrats!! welcome to the "now I can drive my v how i damn please club" hahah any pics of the main center bearing bracket you got from DSS? just wondering if they changed the design yet?
up date, this has been going for a long time.
I installed mine last weekend (iron complete kit with Ford LS carrier, 3.55's, upgraded girdle cover, and upgraded outer CV's) and am in love with my V again! By far the best upgrade you can possibly do for the V IMO. I already had the RevShift cradle bushings installed and the whole car still feels much more stiff/solid, yet still rides like a Caddy. Should have come with a Ford rear instead of a German rear from the factory. The one major difference that I have noticed right off is there is now much less rolling resistance; and I already had the Gen IV rear. I believe that I am getting as much as 30% better MPG now as well.
A few points...the shifter is literally a hair away from the driveshaft, but does not touch. I have the RevShift trans insert which caused minor vibrations with the OE driveline, however, these have now been remedied as well with the 8.8 kit. Don't know about the carrier bearing issue, so I cannot comment.
The only thing that I have noticed is a pretty bad groan when at 1500 RPM in second, third, and really bad in fourth. That is lugging the motor though, and I can change my driving habits slightly to account for this. Honestly, it may be my trans as it is second, third, and fourth but not fifth or sixth gears. More to come later on with that.
Also, the OE drivers side exhaust contacted the differential and had to relieved slightly, and the girdle cover had a fair amount of overhang from the differential housing, so a grinder was used to relieve the cover slightly.
If you go through this thread from the beginning, you'll see that I was originally somewhat critical of Max and the amount of time it took to get the DIY kit to market. I believe that Max has brought an excellent product to market at a very reasonable price and could not be happier with the product or the transaction. Kudos!
And now, a few pics:
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A few points...the shifter is literally a hair away from the driveshaft, but does not touch. I have the RevShift trans insert which caused minor vibrations with the OE driveline, however, these have now been remedied as well with the 8.8 kit. Don't know about the carrier bearing issue, so I cannot comment.
The only thing that I have noticed is a pretty bad groan when at 1500 RPM in second, third, and really bad in fourth. That is lugging the motor though, and I can change my driving habits slightly to account for this. Honestly, it may be my trans as it is second, third, and fourth but not fifth or sixth gears. More to come later on with that.
Also, the OE drivers side exhaust contacted the differential and had to relieved slightly, and the girdle cover had a fair amount of overhang from the differential housing, so a grinder was used to relieve the cover slightly.
If you go through this thread from the beginning, you'll see that I was originally somewhat critical of Max and the amount of time it took to get the DIY kit to market. I believe that Max has brought an excellent product to market at a very reasonable price and could not be happier with the product or the transaction. Kudos!
And now, a few pics:
twin turbo rear mount V1 CTS-V built 383. 875/860RW pump/met
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177 Posts
has any one with this kit noticed that the driver side axle does not sit all the way into the diff as the passenger one does. it also dosnt lock in like the other side. i think the spacer that came with the kit the sits inside the diff is not supposed to be there
am i the only one with this issue?
am i the only one with this issue?
Mine is the same way. I wondered at first, but I've been beating the hell out of it, and no problems as of yet. I've prolly only put 3 or 4k on it.
twin turbo rear mount V1 CTS-V built 383. 875/860RW pump/met
Joined
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177 Posts
ok i just wanted to make sure it was ok. i have about 4k on mine and its holding up just fine at 875/860 rwhp/tq so i think im good 
Holy devils nutsack batman... Is that your daily driver?ok i just wanted to make sure it was ok. i have about 4k on mine and its holding up just fine at 875/860 rwhp/tq so i think im good
twin turbo rear mount V1 CTS-V built 383. 875/860RW pump/met
Joined
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177 Posts
No not right now.i did dd it for a month or 2. Right now shes my garage queen as Im wating on my rev shift bushing for the last few weeks.
Whats up with Creative-Steel website? Won't load.
I ordered the 8.8 partial kit a month ago, got the brackets and hardware with in a weeks of the order, but still waiting for the axles and driveshaft.
Well I'm still waiting:annoyed: I'm running out of patience
That is a DSS issue. CS is at the mercy of DSS to build and ship these in a timely manner and to make matters worst DSS just moved to a new facility which i'm sure slowed some things down.
I could not get either side to lock in. I removed the clips from the old axle, and put them on the new one. Not sure if this was a good idea but they locked in after that. The clips that came on the new axle do not seem big enough to catch. Had a hell of a time getting the drivers side in.runsfromdacops said:
Ok I need help. I installed the 8.8 diff in my cts-v today and went to put the axles in and they will not clip in. I put the rear diff together myself using a stock carrier from a explorer with 31 spine spider gears. Is the irs spider gears the same as a solid rear? I've looked on the internet and they appear the same and does not state any difference. Please help
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