Being a cheapy student this locost will most likely be my sole method of transport. With this in mind I'm concerned at the prospect of motorway travel in a 4 geared car (assuming I don't bite the bullet and go all bikey). I've been ferried around in a mate's 4 gear metro and boy did it make a racket over 65mph.

I don't fancy changing the box (looks complicated and I've been warned off the type 9 for some reason which I've now forgotten....), but the diff sounds an easier job. Only trouble is I don't know what the hell I'm doing when it comes to differentials.
Running on the standard escort gearing am I likely to need earplugs and a total lack of mechanical sympathy to maintain 70mph for any length of time?

Any advice on choice of diff, where to get one, or warnings away from changing it are more than welcome!

If you change the diff to make 4th a higher gear then so will 1st 2nd and 3rd. This could make acceleration poorer unless you're planning on using a more powerful engine. You've got to ask yourself, do I feel lucky, well do ya!...punk! no seriously, what will you be using the car for most, motorway cruising or around town shuttle.

I realise I'll pay a penalty in terms of acceleration but, as in life, all things are relative.

I currently drive my mum and dad's 1992 1.3 escort. 0 - 60 is best measured with a calendar, and it rolls like a barge in a storm.
I am building a locost in the hope of an improvement on this!

To be honest, I won't be expecting much over 70mph from it as I can't afford to get any points on my still young drivers license.

I just don't want the engine to blow up on long journeys.

I will mostly be using it on A and B roads, and not much in town.

If possible I'd like some kind of happy medium between the two.

I'm currently the proud(?) owner of a 1.3 crossflow, but when I hit 21 I'm hoping to drop a 1.6 in which might solve any dissappointments I suffer from an initial lack of oomph.

Basically - a lack of power I can deal with. I can always get a bigger and better engine as and when my bank manager is feeling friendly. But I don't want to be stuck miles away from my mates and without the option of motorway travel!

Sorry to give so much conflicting info - I hope some of it is decipherable.

Cheers for any help anyone can give.

nothing wrong with the type 9,much stronger than
the escort box,5 speed gives overdrive to and looks a darn sight sexier,ask any sheep!

quote:

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I've been warned off the type 9 for some reason which I've now forgotten

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the other thing to remember our cars weigh less than 1/2 of the donor cars weight, so lots of stress is taken out that way.

Had a ropey 1.3 chevette engine in my locost for the first three years with associated 4 speed 'box. Being a "cheapy student" it was and is my only car, hence it gets used for everything, motorways included. Put in the 2.0i pinto with 5spd box last summer, which makes it significantly better - the extra torque and 5th makes motorways much easier than before. Think the box is a type 9 (from a Granada) and have had no probs (so far...). If you intend to upgrade engines and box's make the tunnel wider - makes future swaps a lot easier!