right fellas,
book chassis (cortina front uprights etc)

which will give better handling ??

Mk2 Escort Rear Axle (52" wide??) or Capri Rear Axle(62" wide i think ??)

cheers
Ray

[Edited on 13/3/10 by rayward]

[Edited on 13/3/10 by rayward]

dont think there's 10" difference - surely not??

Well the Escort one is lighter for starters. I guess the power output and gearing is more important really. I had a 3.45:1 Cortina axle in a Tiger and then swapped it for a 4.11:1 ratio. Think the Escort has a longest ratio of 3.54:1??

Big weight and strength difference. Unless you need the strength of the Atlas, the much lighter English axle will work better on a 7 IMO.

Escort is more like 48" and the capri 52"

Capri is a good way to get a cheap 3.09 diff for bec. it is heavy.

Book chassis is made for Escort and there are still loads of parts available.

You also need to make a little mod to the chassis to really fit it in, this robs seat space. I would go with the escort axle if doing again.

i did it and it doesn't take any space - you just need to move 1 tube. u2u me or look through my posts i've discussed it before.

Basically move the 19mm vertical tube 19mm to the outside of the car (ie you panel to the opposite edge. This gets you 19mm and enough to get the axle in (well on my car it did).

(would explain more but i've got a stroppy dog that really wants and needs its walk)

Toyota Corolla GTS axle fits, but the pumpkin is offset to the drivers side (UK) so could be a problem over there. Tunnel needs to be moved to the nearside 1".

In this day and age it is better to use Sierra parts than follow the original book.

The Capri axle is only 2" wider than the English Axle. The Cortina axle is 4" wider than the English. The most common English axle ratio is 3.89:1.
If I was building a book chassis again, I'd go for a De Dion with a Sierra diff.

David

cheers for all the replies,

a bit more info , i've seen a car, which is book chassis but has a capri axle fitted, just wondered if i would be better changing it for standard escort one or leaving as is

Ray

No leave as it is unless you are going to race it.

I have the capri axle and its +4" over the escort.

At least 2 different widths of Capri axle latter ones are the same width as the Mk3-5 Cortina.
The Escort axle is actually slightly on the narrow side.

ive also made the front track 4" wider to match the axle.

With 19mm offset and 6" rims the back wheels just fit in a 10.5" arch.

excellent cheers, the one thats in has a LSD too, which is a bonus !

Ray

That sounds like the 2.8 special if its standard and will have the 3.09 gearing.

suitable for a bike engine then ???

Ray