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Mk3 Cortina, back axle, steering and front hubs?
chittybangbang - 30/10/06 at 12:30 PM

Hi,

I was hoping that I could get a definate answer on this, as I have been a little confused by some other posts and websites I have found.

I have now got my garage space and equipment I need to start looking for a donor for my project.

I would really prefer to use a Mk3 Cortina rear axle as I prefer the width and I know of a donor car.

However, I would also like the front track to be the same as the rear, so has there ever been a set of plans to make a wider front suspension/wishbone setup to accommodate the extra width of the track and steering rack.

I would like to keep the chassis the same width as the book, rather than moving to the wider design.

So, ideally I would like:

-Standard-width chassis
-Mk3 Cortina rear axle
-Mk3 Cortina front hub assemblies
-Mk3 Cortina steering rack
-Front track same width as rear.

Has this been done, and more importantly, when properly set-up would there be any handling issues that would make the traditional book design preferable?

Many Many thanks for any help.

02GF74 - 30/10/06 at 01:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by chittybangbang


However, I would also like the front track to be the same as the rear,


Can I ask why? My front is narrower than my rear and it has never worried/bothered me - is there something you are not telling us?

adampage - 30/10/06 at 03:40 PM

... but mostly for Caterham and Westfield unfortunately. Quite a few Westfields are wider at the rear than the front, and many people are switching to 'wide-track' front suspension.

Kits are made by Caterham & Westfield themselves, Freestyle, SBD, CAT Motorsport, Caged, and others.

If someone had the dimensions of an original set of bones and the required extra, they could make a set fairly easily.

I would have thought that someone like MNR, MK, GTS, etc could knock some up pretty easily.

The main reason I believe is for better turn-in & grip. Not sure of the technicalities, but I'd think someone on the site would be!

HTH,
Adam.

[Edited on 30/10/06 by adampage]

MikeRJ - 30/10/06 at 09:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by chittybangbang

Has this been done, and more importantly, when properly set-up would there be any handling issues that would make the traditional book design preferable?



Yes, the Cortina axle weighs a metric shitload, and it's all unsprung weright so getting a good compromise on the spring and dampers rates is difficult. The English axle ia a featherweight by comparison.

If you like the wide rear axle on standard width chassis look (personaly I don't) then why not consider using either a De-dion axle or IRS with a Sierra drivetrain? This will give you is pretty much the same width as a Cortina, without the unsprung weight penalty and with the possibility of a reasonably priced LSD if you should need it.