The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi all, just starting my mk3 cortina project and im currently rebuilding my rover v8. i was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of what gearbox to use with the v8 and atlas axle? would i also have to get a custom propshaft? Thanks

The cheapest way would be the LT77 or R380 gearboxes which would have been fitted to the RV8 in it's original installation. The R380 is reputedly stronger but is also rarer and more expensive. if you went with either of these then you would need a new propshaft as the Ford gearboxes (Type 9 and predecessors) are designed to accept a male splined end from the prop whereas the Rover units have a flat flange.

Ford T5 'boxes have been mated to RV8's but the bellhousings are reasonably rare and expensive.

thanks for the reply.yeah that was i was thinking, i know some people have used the 2.8 type 9 box and nothing has happened but im hoping to upgrade to an american v8 at some point in the future so would need it to be as v8 friendly as possible. do you think the atlas axle will be able to withstand the torque of the v8?

the limiting factor on how long a axle will last is traction, I know plenty of cars with v8s and atlas axles, probably need a slipper so you load the shafts evenly,

yeah sounds good just have to try and get my hands on one of those now expensive if i have to buy new. so what propshaft would be the best to use with the lt77 box? and would it have to be modded at all to fit to the atlas axle?

Don't worry about the prop, just sort the engine & box & axle, then get a custom prop made up. £150 ish, Bailey Morris, Recoprop, there's loads out there.

Chris.

Thanks for the website looks pretty good, im a long way off having to fit it all into the car so wil have the money by then to get one made. have you used them before chris?

Yup, used them both a few times. Never had a problem with either. Prices pretty similar too.

I think Bailey Morris might be a bit better for slightly unusual stuff (I wanted a CV joint in one propshaft).

Chris.

cool thanks very much for the info completely forgot to look at recoprop there yeah could be a very specific thing im looking for so would be better probably going for Bailey Morris

ghost6412 wrote:Hi all, just starting my mk3 cortina project and im currently rebuilding my rover v8. i was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of what gearbox to use with the v8 and atlas axle? would i also have to get a custom propshaft? Thanks

hey,
i am doing what you are doing-a mk3 cortina with a rv8 too
i am hoping to use a borgwarner t5 gearbox from a sierra cosworth
i have a bell housing for it i bought on ebay,but i need to make an adapter plate.i have been arsing around trying to sort out flywheel options as my engine was a 3.5 efi auto from a range rover
i am fecking out the efi and fitting carbs for now and have learnt that the rover sd1 v8 flywheel is the best for the job at hand.
what mk3 cortina have u?mine is a 4 door 74 that was an auto so it has a bigger tunnel in it for the t5 gearbox.
you lucky buuger with the atlas axle,i cant afford one as my project is more scrapheap challenge than concours,i am sticking with the 1600 axle until i break it,if i get that far.

pm me and we can brainstorm,i have a few more websites and forums i'm in and out of,tis great fun

best of luck with yours too,by the way

I'm not sure about the width or ratio of the atlas axle. But the MGB Salisbury axle is a strong unit. The 1800 cc axle and the V8 axle have the same shafts and casings but different ratios. You can get a 3.07:1 ratio V8 axle from MGB Hive for about 500 quid outright purchase with no exchange.
I stick shed loads of power through my MGB axle.
FWIW ??

another axle option is a volvo unit,i have been digging up info about them.

the swedes are using them with grunt of 3 or 400 bhp and aussielockers can be used with them

the axle from a volvo 240-1030 model seems to be the best with a lsd

heres a link
http://people.physics.anu.edu.au/~amh11 ... o_dana.htm