Hi folks.

Axle options (again)

Book Locost (Q-plate, sourcing donor parts individually which currently seems cheaper than finding a donor - the benefit is that I can choose from the whole ford parts bin).

To me the ideal Locost follows the Chapman 'just add lightness' philosophy.


If you were building a 'Blueprinted' Locost (i.e. built to perfection and making use of all the tiny improvements suggested over the years) what is the absolute best live axle choice?

I'm sticking to the basics: I have Cortina uprights and I'm looking at a circa 175bhp Zetec and type 9 and it will be driven quite hard.

Obviously the book is written for a mk2 Escort English and I'm aware that some have fitted Koln and Atlas axles. I like the narrow, standard arches but understand that a slightly wider axle helps fill those arches more completely which benefits the aesthetics but I'm not sure of the impact on suspension/geometry.

I'm perfectly happy to use a shortened atlas if there is significant benefit (as I'll have to pay for custom shafts) - I'm looking for a fit-and-forget

I suppose the three main concerns are weight/tube wall thickness, ratio/LSD availability and width/geometry.

My understanding is the following:

Strength and LSD availability = Atlas
Width and weight = English.

I'm perfectly happy to source a number of axles and to choose the best parts from each.

I'd like to stick to components from the Ford parts bin rather than straying into aftermarket bits (which is the main appeal of the Atlas as its already strong and has LSD availability.

Would really appreciate some advice.

[Edited on 21/3/14 by gasket999]

[Edited on 21/3/14 by gasket999]

Alfa GTV 2000 105 Dunlop axle, LSD standard, massive half shafts, Very strong & light. I was looking at baby atlas and it would have cost around £4k with diff and all the right bits, but then found out about these. You can find them from around £350 most likely to have a 4:1.1 ratio, 108 pcd as ford and plated ZF or ZF type LSD. You would need to add a plate or two to the diff, I had mine tuned/checked out, including a new pinion bearing for less than £200.

Pictures in my archive. Proper bit of kit!!!!!!!

id go english

175 bhp will not be an issue an atlas is alot more weight really for no reason unless you want mega power later in life

but there are plenty that put over 250 through the english me included

Very good point about going English. I used an English axle with LSD and had issues with only 128 bhp at the wheels as it cracked the end plate so I went to a steel end plate with no issues, but and its a big but that was on a heavy rally car. The less weight the drive train has upon it means instead of it destroying the diff the wheels will simply spin up so I reckon English could be an option. I've gone for the Alfa as I have 260 bhp @ flywheel but English might have done the trick.