Last I spoke with him I thought he said 10.9 but could be wrong. What does the 1.5 stage rear entail? I'm trying to look way down the road but I do like the option of going with a puddymod diff. I look at it as it won't be much of a hassle converting it back to stock if I should part with the car one day.

Going back and forth because at this point I'm use to the power of the car and I'm sure I'll be use to 550whp and want to take it past that power level as well one day. Right now just wanting to take it day by day but I want to make up my mind while I still have a good diff in the car that I can give Ben. Would like to drop the hammer on one of these options before next season.

 

I would also go with Ben. I emailed him about his diff and he's really there to support his reputation. He did reply to me a little rude but he's straight forward. Also he did mention about a local s2k hitting 9s with 1.5+ diff he has. I was also going for FB 8.8 but I just want to plug and play my diff. Haven't got my diff done by Ben but I know for sure he will be doing my diff. Btw, I also want the power you're wanting 500-600hp and I'm happy

 

ben really is a standup guy. I decided after I grenaded my first diff I would build it up. got another and started upgrading it myself ct engineering main caps and j's racing pinion collar. in the past I had built some domestic diffs but this was the first time I had used a pinion collar. needless to say its not easy to get the pinion preload right with a shimmed collar the factory crush collar is much easier. so after I got the diff in and put some miles on it I started to get some whine on decel and posted up on a thread discussing a similar issue. ben graciously offered to look at both our diffs as he had some time in his schedule and only asked for parts, shop supplies and shipping. he did an excellent job on my diff. while I missed the pinion preload I didn't check Hondas work he found the ring gear was .004 off true. I can say that it runs quiet and smooth 3000 miles so far at 9 psi 340whp and just upped boost to 13psi so will see how its doing in another 3000 miles. the stage 4 should do it with a good set of axles and good suspension setup as wheel hop and hard shifting are the two killers. learning to shift smooth at redline and preload when launching will go along way to making any setup last not saying you don't already know this but though it should be said. good luck with it either way you go should be awesome 550whp will be a beast. call or pm ben tell him what your looking for and he will tell you which way to go even if it means its not his

 

I have been thinking of going with the InlinePro R200 diff kit, but lately I have started considering Puddymod Stage 4 diff. It will cost about the same as far as total price, but then I can get the S2000 diff with Quaife LSD and 3.9 final drive. The diff with the R200 kit will be a salvage yard used diff without guarantee, possibly ready for a rebuild which will increase the cost drastically. I already have stronger axles that should be up for it. It will also be a lot easier to just swap the diff out rather than changing the whole drivetrain.

 

Good info in here. Whats the price breakdown on a 8.8 setup? I agree, its a bit more work, and a plug and play option do sounds better. I've been around the community a bit and haven't heard of any of Ben's diffs messing up, and i've talked with him a bit as well a few years ago and finally met him in Orlando. Great guy.

 

He was probably referring to me. https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/105...t__p__22825773

I've gone 10.8 @ 135 on the stage 1.5 with 255/16 Hoosier drag radials. 1.7 sixty foot. ZERO issues.

Anything will break if you guys try launching with street tires. Put slicks or drag radials on the car if you're going to race.

 

I'm running the puddymod stage 4 diff for over two years.



After 6 months @ 400-450whp, the diff was making squealing noise and seized up. Sent it back to Ben and paid shipping both ways. Fixed it at no cost. Got the diff back with a 3.9 gear ratio and never had a problem since.

The diff is holding up to the power it is making right now.




On my next build, if I ever have to, I might go with the 8.8. If the 8.8 ever breaks after lots of abuse, it will be an easy replacement?

 

the puddy diff is great for 90% of people

I like the 8.8 because the parts for it are realllllly cheap. Need a different gear ratio.. $200 for whatever you want from ford racing, want a more agressive LSD, repack the trac-lok for like $50. There are tons of shops that can get a ford 8.8 together with out it making noise etc.

Hell if you break it and need parts in a pinch you can get them from your local parts store.

IMHO if you get to where you need upgraded hubs and all I'd jump to the 8.8. The biggest advantage to a puddy diff is stock axles/driveshaft work. Go with 5.9 axles and bigger hubs, you threw that advantage out the door.

 

I agree

 

Some great pros for going with an 8.8. I think the real question we're forgetting is how many times will Ben be willing to replace a blown diff. If you blow an 8.8 diff it's a few hundred. If you blow a stage 4 diff it’s free but after how many times of grenading the diff? If you beef up one thing you make something else weak in terms of our axles. Also you break an 8.8 axle I doubt it’s 1800 to replace like driveshaft shop axles for OEM replacements.

Also let’s keep in mind what anyone’s car for that matter will be intended for. I know after I choose an option I plan to take mine to the track periodically. I guess if you just do pulls here in there around town then an puddymod diff is great.

Really the only drawback to the 8.8 is the initial cost where as puddymods route is cheaper. On the other side if things keep breaking then I would assume it would surpass the cost of a 8.8 setup.