Hi, can someone tell me what power and torque one can safely feed through an english axle, and if any of them ever came with standard fit LSD's? If not are these available in the aftermarket?

Cheers!

there are plenty of LSD's available either plates or ATB - google and you'll find suppliers.

(although i'll give you a clue, TranX and Quaiff (not sure of the spellings) do two different types).

As for power, anecdotally i've heard people say 150bhp is the limit. I've also heard people say they have a 200bhp engine and its fine - the advantage of our cars is they're a lot lighter than the production car they where designed for many years ago so stress things a little less.

Hi

The Escort axle using standard Ford half shafts is good for 250 Hp and up to around 180 Lb torque. Currently have a customer running 243Hp and 175 Lb Torque in a sprint car. Car is used in anger with many standing starts on grippy tires. Not a single failure yet in many years of usage.

The only LSD that Ford ever used was the specials for the works MK2 Escorts. The after market ones are either a Quaife ATB or a Tranex type Plate diff.
If looking at pure competition use the plate type would be the one of choice. But this needs to be setup with the correct ramp angles to suit the conditions it's going top be used for and the weight of the car taken into consideration. It Will also need continuous rebuilding and checking at the preload wears away. Not something to be used as a fit and forget.

For fit and forget usage the Quaife ATB is the item to use. It simply uses multiple stacks of gears to bias the drive to the wheel that requires it at any given time. However to gain the best advantage out of this unit you have to make sure that your axle is very compliant within the chassis. Once you raise a wheel of the ground or significantly lower the load on one of the rear wheels it effectivly becomes a STD open diff and will spin the lightly loaded wheel. Theres not many people who understand this which is why the ATB gets a good review from some and a slagging from others. This type of diff is also more favorable in light cars as the plate type has a tendency to promote under steer on corner entry. The ATB unit dose not have this effect. Hence the ATB is used more and more on circuit car Especially the Bike engined variety.

Cheers Matt

Thanks guys!

Can anyone tell me what the weight of the complete axle is with standard drums?

I can tell you I lifted and moved mine into position back in the chassis by myself last week. I would guesstimate 25kg + the shafts, so all in maybe 30kg?

if you search my posts about a year (or two) ago i weighed one when looking at de-dion.

edit - found the thread,
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=85354

basically minus wheels and brakes about 33kg.

including two wheels and brakes 75kg.

[Edited on 3/3/10 by MikeR]