jamesabbatt Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Hello all, I've been having some trouble with chewing up differentials, im currently running a live axle and that was originally used on the old marina, this would have been used to deal with maybe 70 to 80bhp. Im running closer to 160bhp due to a zetec engine change, so im putting the power down as the problem! I’ve been told that switching to an Escort mk2 axle will do the trick. (Actually im going to look at one tomorrow night!) and I just wanted to turn to my caterham brothers, (and sisters), to see if anyone out there could shed any light on if this is the way to go? Has anybody done this before and knows of any pitfalls. Any other suggestions would be great before I part with my hard earned. Thanks for reading and hope you can help!! Jimbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorgen Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 there is a lot in the archives on this subject. Do a search for english axle and it will give you most of what you need to know. Hope this helps Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rox. Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I had the same problem. Im running a 170bhp xflow with the Ital liveaxel and I have changed diff 3 time the last 6 month. I bought a English axel but I havent converted yet. The English one is a little wider than the Ital. Is it only to bolt on? /Johan from Swden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted March 9, 2008 Area Representative Share Posted March 9, 2008 You will need to open the tunnel slightly around the diff nose as the Ford is slightly offset towards the driver side. Ford axle should take upto 250 BHP and you will need to change your front hubs to Ford fitment if you want the same PCD to the new rear axle. Otherwise it should be a straight forward changeover. If you have a disc brake conversion, you will need to fabricate a different handbrake cable arrangement similar to the de dion race cars (with their under dash handbrakes) HTH Nick The BEC has gone - now onto an R400!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Pretty much all you need to know is here. Steve SE7EN-UP! -----If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. ----- Edited by - Se7en-Up! on 9 Mar 2008 16:09:42 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revin Kevin Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Rox, just out of interest what parts of the diff have failed in your three failures, the CW&P or the diff itself? Cheers Chris Edited by - Revin Kevin on 10 Mar 2008 18:20:06 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rox. Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Chris. It was the CW&P, after the first time I tought it maight have been a bad install by the previous owner. But after I had the new one installed by a proffesional and it broke after 2 race days, I bought a ford axel. I will make 4 link on this one, I have no experience of this but I think it will be really goood. Anyone that have any experience about 4 link on Caterham? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon redshaw Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 James, If you need to see a car installation that has an English diferential, i have one. Am not too far from you nr Chester so if you decide to go down the English route, i have covered most tracks that you will look to walk down! I put a vauxhall engine into my super sprint car and the english axle is perfect. Rgds Simon7R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revin Kevin Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Rox, Thanks for your, I'm not in the power league to give my Ital axle a problem but I'm trying to gain info for the future as I intend to develop the Ital rather than change to the Ford. For your info there is apparently an uprated Ital CW&P avaliable. Cheers Chris Edited by - Revin Kevin on 11 Mar 2008 09:14:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon redshaw Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Good idea for ital axle is to fit a set of discs and also go for quaife internals plus lsd. Steve at SPC is (in my opinion) the best man around for dealing with rear live axles. He fitted a meaty billet aluminium disc holder to the end of my english each axle arms. This holds all the internals together and stops excess wear. He will give you good advise also. he advertises in lotus 7 club magazine. james whiting have done the same int he past for the fireblade conversions. They may be usefull to talk to. KR Simon7R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revin Kevin Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Simon, Good ideas, already have some of these mods on the Ital, just trying to sus if the CW&P is the last week link and if so talk to the manufactures of the so called uprated CW&P to negate having to change to ford in higher powered cars. Just my little my project. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I think it will be cheaper the ford route, more choice and an easy mod. Staying with the Ital, you have limited (read expensive) options ahead.. a S/H diff for the Ford is about £50 and many more ratios available.. Just my opinion. UPDATED: Here is my costings on the Axle replacement: Axle Casing (modified for Caterham fitment by Arch) - Speak to Mick at Redline - cost is approx £175 Half shafts, modified for rear disc fitment (but work with drums) - £45 each - www.randallmotorsport.co.uk (speak to Nigel, also on ebay) Diff (depends on the ratio, but about £60) - Ebay or randallmotorsport. Small Flange (3 1/4 inch) - £20 - Randall motorsport Pinion Oil seal and Diff Gasket - £10 - Ebay Brake Drums (go for the Rs2000 ones) - Ebay or Turbosport or scrappies - About £10, but will need re-conditioning Jon ----------------------------------- Ital or Ford... the choice is yours.... Hmmm, I'll have the ford please Bob. Edited by - jonboylaw on 11 Mar 2008 14:48:15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revin Kevin Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Jon, I've priced it all before and by the time you match wheels and hubs (read I don't want different pcd's front and rear) you are close to £1k. Also i don't want to mod the tunnel etc, on top of I already have LSD and I havn't broken it yet. I'm just hedging my bets as to what is the next week point and if it's the CW&P and the avaliable uprated item does the job it will be cheaper and less hassle. A CW&P change is a couple of hours work which I can achieve myself without incurring cost. But I agree for BIG HP I think there is no option but a well built Ital isn't as bad as everyone makes out. The actual design is better than the ford, it's just a daintier design and a bit lighter. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revin Kevin Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Hi all, Just for your info, I have spoken with the supplier of uprated Ital CW&P's, he stated the these will take in excess of 180lbs of torque. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezky Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I have a similar dilema myself. Bought a ford axle on flea bay last year, but didn't get round to sorting it out. Cost to modify and rebuild is putting me of at the moment plus having to get new alloys front hubs etc. Looking at over £1k. Also heard that it is possible to fit ford internals in the ital casing. More likely to go down the uprated CW&P and may be LSD. May be of interest but quaife sell uprated halfshafts for the TR7 not sure if they are the same length as the ital ones. Anybody know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revin Kevin Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Q102, TR7 shafts don't fit. The new shafts from caterham/Mcmillan motorsport are supposedly uprated but these don't seem to be the week point. the week point is the diff and CW&P. Quaife rate there LSD high (I have been using one for a while now) and with the uprated CW&P the Ital should be strong enough for most purposes. The uprated CW&P apparently has been used in GT6's with over 190 lbs of torque without failing. I'm staying with the Ital and unless your into monster engines I really don't think you need a ford axle. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezky Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 First off all : the Ford axle is slightly smaller than the Ital. Jigsaw racing is also a good place to talk to for uprated ital axles. The must have's are : uprated CWP, baffles in the axle and also important is a non collapsable bush on the pignon and a LSD is also a big help Rox, if you need pic. off a 5 link axle with short radius arms i can send you some, just send me a PM with your e-mail address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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