Question: Is this a truely a real 2003 Cobra?

[somethingclever]

.What is the general opinion of the 8.8 vs a 9"? I would suspect the 8.8 is not as desireable, but that most 8.8's are left in place for ease of installation and fitment.

The general opinion is it's not needed to upgrade unless it a serious dedicated drag car.

WIth aftermarket axles the 8.8's are well into the 9's, and since you said in another post you'd be happy with low 12's high 11's out of this street car, I don't think you need to worry about upgrading to the 9".

Plenty of people are in the 10's with stock 03/04 cobra axles/diffs so the factory 31 spline limited slip is also working at that level.

Before you start buying any parts you may want to pull the diff and an axle and see what you actually have. You may already be good to go.

I dunno what type of 8.8" you have in there, but it will hold more than enough power for your car.... 8.8" = GM 12bolt... I had a Moser 12-bolt in my car with 33 spline axels, and i think it was rated for something like 1200hp... I had a Detroit True-Trac diff in the car... I was running the hp in my sig, and the new owner now has it in the Mid 900's rwhp/rwtq, and the rear is still holding up wonderfully last time i heard.....

a 9" is obviously stronger, but I think an 8.8 would be fine and dandy for you.. probably other places you could put that money....

imho

But you also only ran your car on the street which is an apples and oranges comparison when testing the strength of parts under high loads.