RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

Hi, Im looking for some advice regarding diffs for Pinto powered MK1 escort road car.

Will a Quaife ATB in an english diff with 'early' MK1 axles (supposed to have tougher splines) be fine for some abuse @ 130BHP?

Also looking at a shortened BW78 from R31 Skyline. How much extra weight would be in this compared to English diff?
I know it's a bit of overkill but I know someone who can do the modification for me mates rates if I supply the diff.

Will there be any classing issues with racing the car if it has an R31 diff?

Thanks

Bw78 is +20kg.

Quaife would cope with it.

Never broke an axle, just star gear breakage, and short service life on bearings.

On a scale of 0 (worst) to 10 (yeeha!) a quaife Torsen diff would rate about 2, if you were lucky (have had one for 10+ years in dad's car). A properly built english diff and clutch plate LSD will handle 130Hp and be your lightest option. Next step would be Toyota Hilux with a good range of ratios available, but your looking at +15kg or so on the english.

Thanks fellas. Scott, that's some surprising info regarding the quaife ATB. How does the trans-x LSD compare ? What clutch type centres are readily available for English diff?

I have a 3J LSD and have mates running 180+hp using them in race cars with no dramas.

The Quaife would be perfect in a road car though as will be less clunky then a plate type LSD.

Cheers

Matt

The quaife might be OK for the road, but you'll curse it the first time you push it hard and it spins the inside wheel. I've no idea what a decent centre is, I've heard Tran-x for the English axle is OK . A large range of ratios is available.

Both plate type LSD's (examples being 3J & Tran-x) and Quaiffe atb's would handle 130bhp with ease. For a road car punted briskly only on the road the Quaiffe would be fine but on the track once you unload the inner rear you will still get wheel spin. Plate type LSD's are far more suited to the track. 130bhp will hardly tax either, assuming they are assembled correctly and using good oils, just make sure you control any axle tramp. That's the real killer when only moderate power is put through an 'english' axle
SFE

I have had a tran-x centre with 2 peice axles behind my Zetec for about 3-4 years now and have had no issues. Trouble is from memory this company has now been sold off and cant be purchased ???

Mik

Hey Haydn. I put a BW78 in the rally car and while it's indestructible I wouldn't do it again, it adds to much to the unsprung weight.
Back then there were no options available for the English like there are now . If it were me I'd go for a set of 3J shafts and LSD.

When Tran-X closed the CEO went and started 3J and changed the design a bit and have removed a lot of the clunks and clanks. They have a great reputation for a quality product.

I have one in mine and driving on the street you can't hear anything. It has 45 drive, 90 degree overrun with a 65Lb preload. This gives good drive on power (45 degree ramp) whilst still allowing a bit of slip on overrun/cornering so acting like an open diff.

Cheers,

Matt