Axles: which ones

Alley Kat · Post by **Alley Kat** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:58 pm

After an axle with LSD to handle at least 350lbs torque; is the Scorpio 4x4 one any good?
Its to go in my Amazon when it recieves its V8. Volvo lsd's seem a bit rocking horse plop, any other ideas gratefully received. Ratios vaguely around the 3.5 mark ideally.

JSF55 · Post by **JSF55** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:35 pm

3.6 xjs jag !!

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:09 pm

while researching another project I was told the 2wd sierra cosworth Diff was pretty well unburstable, I assume the 4wd version is the same unit and therefor is much the same. I was also told the ordinary sierra/granada diff was also pretty strong (especially in higher ratios, ie the diesel ones) and I believe alot of cobra Kits usethem with ford and chevy v8's. I think it is alot like the rest of the transmission, if it is in a light car and you don't "dump" the clutch at every set of traffic lights it will last alot longer than with chav type abuse!
the jag unit in meant to be as tough as old nick, if you need even more then uou can get chevy 12 bolts and 9" fords are available from the states as dif center units to take driv shafts (ie as a non live axel set ups as the ford and jag) and they take big big power!
Best of luck
Mike

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:21 pm

I have seen more than a few Sierra Cossy diffs come out in pieces, as soon as you apply a bit of HP, some Grip from decent tires and a bit of weight, which the majority of Kit cars do not have, the diff will go pop, The fact that Ford manufactured bigger/ stronger aftermarket diffs for the Sierra and Escort is an admission by ford of their shortcomings. The granada cosworth LSD has a bigger crownwheel/pinion may be a better option,
If you can find one, a Toyota Calica ST diff has plenty od strength, and I havent had to look at mine even with all the abuse it has taken over the years.
Ian

Alley Kat · Post by **Alley Kat** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:21 pm

John, cheers but gotta be a live axle ; )
Mike thanks for that. I keep reading conflicting things about the 7.5" Ford ones, along what Ian sez.
Ta Ian, interesting.
The car will be about 2600lbs, street mostly but strip too, motor approx 300bhp - 340lbs torque but would want to add a fair bit to that in the future.
cheers chaps,
Bill

V8Zed · Post by **V8Zed** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:29 pm

Alley Kat wrote:John, cheers but gotta be a live axle ; )

Bill

That rules cossie/granada diffs out then

Volvo 740/940 maybe?

Alley Kat · Post by **Alley Kat** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:28 pm

Oops, all a bit new fangled for me.
Did ask about Volvo LSD axles but was told they're hard to find these days, none have come up for sale in months on the UK club. US Ford seems most likely candidate now.

V8Zed · Post by **V8Zed** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:47 pm

Alley Kat wrote:Oops, all a bit new fangled for me.
Did ask about Volvo LSD axles but was told they're hard to find these days, none have come up for sale in months on the UK club. US Ford seems most likely candidate now.

Don't give up yet.
Loads of ol 240/740/940 Volvos in breakers yards.
Just means a bit of diggin about

mwncidur · Post by **mwncidur** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:21 pm

Hi all,

What width axle are you looking for or doesn't it matter?
What about a range rover or disco back axle, then buy a quaiffe diff for it?
Axle is dirt cheap.......

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:50 am

Are you after a live axle or independant ???

Cossie axles are poo for many reasons.

Firstly, suspension geometry is crap. Just look at any lowered Sierra.
The diff....
ALL 2wd Cossies had a 7.5" diff, big CV's and shafts
ALL 4wd cars had a 7.0" diff, small CV's and shafts, same as say a 2.0 Twincam

I am led to beleive a Granada Cosworth V6 had a 7.5" LSD, but with smaller driveshafts.

I Know the V6 Granadas used an open 7.5" diff, small shafts I think.

Id say the CWP and shafts are fairly strong, but the diff pin breaks very easily.
So fitting a proper LSD to one, would make it pretty strong.

Some of the Volvo axles are bound to be a good idea for a live axle ?? esp if you can get one from a turbo car, which will likely have a LSD.

Dont know much about other live axles used though.

Independant ??

Well, there's BMW, Opel Omega, some Volvo, and no doubt countless others ( Supra ? ) Nissan, some Subaru... depends what diff ratio you want too.
The Omega one might be worth considering....take a look at this thread. I thought he was using a Holden/Pontia GTO axle, but he's actually using a Omega rear end for his LS1 conversion.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605899

V8Zed · Post by **V8Zed** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:01 am

Late Capri 2.8i ?
Only thing is they don't exist under £300

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:11 am

Hi
Ian, I stand corrected on the Sierra Diffs then, interesting as the info came from an remanufacturer who did many makes of diff, maybe they had alot of ford sierra diffs to get rid of?
Ally cat, a live axel is getting out of my knowlage, other than the RR axel has the diff offset. The 9" ford would be too big and heavy, but well suported by aftermarket bits, the chevy 12bolt the same. The smaller US ford live axels would be cheeper and more suitable than the 9" but still supported by the aftermarked and available withan LSD and disc conversions if needed.
Best regards
Mike

Alley Kat · Post by **Alley Kat** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:15 am

Thanks everyone. Live axle wanted. Sorry for confusion; someone offered an axle, after I'd said I wanted live, so didn't think any more of it.
8.8 Ford seems likeliest choice. Looked for Volvo info, and the turbobricks guys seem to go for those as well, once past a certain point. 8.8 seems a good weight & cost option.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:08 pm

Alley Kat wrote: 8.8 seems a good weight & cost option.

I can assure you, they are no lightweight !!!!!! They are f**king heavy !!!

And so far, seems to be quite strong, although mines full of atermarket parts. Still only 28spline though, due to lack of information and forethought when I first started with it.

Lewis · Post by **Lewis** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:11 pm

Salisbury 4HA, some come with LSDs as well I think! They can handle a bit of grunt!