I'm looking at my options to change the diff ratio/ axle currently escort English axle with 3.54diff,

Its just to lowly geared with is current diff and has so much more power and torque it would easily pull a lot higher gearing and of course would make long journeys more enjoyable as well.

Dedion would be the obvious choice but the price of a 3.14 sierra diff makes it a tad expensive which got me thinking!!!!!!!!!!

If you can shorten the sierra drive shafts to fit a book width dedion why cant you shorten the axle tubes and half shafts of a 2.8 Capri axle!
The 2.8i special has a plate type LSD and a 3.09 diff ratio witch to my reckoning would be ideal !

Opinions please?

Dave.........................

Think they do that for the rally cars and call it a "baby atlas" bloody dear tho. Would think that a 2.8 lsd is not a cheap bit of kit either ?

Well at the risk of being shot down. Why would it not be possible?? there was a baby atlas axle for ford factory rally cars. Looking at mine I can't work out how the tubes are held into the diff casing (tight fit and puddle welded anyone care to comment). If you could shorten the axle tubes a sleeve/weld them then you could use the escort half shafts (I think).
Someone'll be along soon with more info.

The drag racing and custom car fraternity have been narrowing live axles for years, so I can't see why you shouldn't. Pull the halfshafts out and see how the drive flanges are fitted, I think they are welded. You may be able to remove them and refit them to the shortened halfshaft. You probably have turn a new seat and use a sleeve for the bearing inner. Shorten the case each side by exactly the same amount and job done.

David

I haven't got an axle yet and haven't even looked at an atlas axle it was just an idea but sounds like it would be worth looking into !

I've seen them go for about £250 on ebay which doesn't seem a bad price considering I get the right ratio and LSD for that price.

Using the escort half shafts is an interesting idea but would of thought the atlas shafts are thicker but again worth looking into!

Another question for anybody using an atlas am I right in thinking the book tunnel needs to be wider for the atlas diff?

Dave.................

Could you not leave the axle at the original width as it is only 2 inches wider than an escort one? If neccessary get a pair of new wheels with a different offset to fit under the rear arches?
If not it should be feasible to shorten it either by cutting at the diff housing or flange end and then removing the portion in the diff or hub flange and re welding.Im not sure if the escort shafts would fit the capri diff though.
Paul.

Why bother shortening it? I am using a standard Capri axle and book width car with 11" wheelo arches it all fits fine. You do have to widen the tranny tunnel at the back as the diff drive is a bit more offset than the escort.

Caber

Suspect the 2.8 axle is 4 inches wider than the Escort --- Capri axles come in different widths.

Shafts can be bought in various lengths from Quaife and Robinson Race Cars (Strange). I wouldn't expect them to be too cheap though. Alternative is to have the shafts shortened and resplined by an engineering company and do the housing yourself.

Axle narrowing is pretty common, there is an outfit narrows Rover SD1 axles for fitting to MGBs and they also redrill the hubs to suit different PCDs-- a search of MGB V8 and TR7 web sites should find it.

Info here

http://www.vord.net/cars/mgb_mods/rear_susp/axle.htm

I did consider using the a standard width axle but didn't want to change the rear track or fit wider arches and spoil the look of the car I like it as it is

As far as I can find out the escort axle is 48" and the 2.8 capri is 52" the mk1 Capri used a 50" axle but they fetch silly money!
Don't think I can loose 4" with wheel offset

Dave.....................

Thanks for all the info guys!

Looks like it could be the way to go if I can find an axle at the right price!

Anyone got a Capri 2.8i Special axle for sale

Dave.................

yes , the whole car , but it hasnt got an LSD , in fact , it sjust a 2.8 injection capri , hasnt moved for years .

saying that , i can buy a volvo rear axle for £40 that comes with a LSD , but it wont have an ideal ratio .

and youll have to redrill the hubs for 4 stud , in fact some of the rally boys are starting to use them as atlas replacements .

If you do end up doing this, shorted only the left hand side, this will move the pinion to the left on final fitting, as the bigger diff has a bigger pinion offset,this should bring it over enough to clear your pinion/driveshaft from the chassis members by your bum. If you were building from scratch, its a good way of getting the driveshaft close to centerline for a straighter, slimmer tunnel . It's also done on a lot of production cars.

Right, lets cut to the chase, might be no need to do any narrowing, if you do some searching!!!...................

The "baby" atlas was the axle fitted to the mk1 capri 3 ltr.

Find one of those, and you have a narrow casing and shafts, then you just need the lsd unit and cwp out of the capri special axle, the cwp is almost worthless as everybody wants the higher numbers not the 3.09 one, I binned one not long ago!

Failing that, get the capri 2.8i axle, and find some baby atlas halfshafts s/h (yorkshire rally spares will have some probably) then grind out the plug welds either side of the axle centre housing, knock out the axle tubes, cut em down, remachine the ends, knock em back in and plug weld them up again.