Me and a friend (Vaux2.0l) are building a Locost, we're planning to use an Escort axle as in the book, but with a 2.0l 16v Astra GTE engine and 1.8l Carlton box. What sort of performance could we expect with this? Acceleration/Top Speed? Is this a good combination or should we use a different box?

Would it be ok to weld up the diff. in the axle until we can afford an LSD replacment, I know this increases tyre wear but would it do any other harm?

if you weld the diff you will snap your halfshafts but before that happens you will find the car won't stear but will try to go straight ahead...