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Chain diff or car diff
Paul (Notts) - 13/4/12 at 08:26 AM

Working on the chassis plans at the moment for my Terrapin build. The biggest decision seems to be the cost of a LSD chain diff.

For the same price as the chain diff I recon I could get a BMW lsd diff, shafts ,hubs, discs, brakes.

This would mean extra weight and a longer wheel base. + a small loss of power in the drive system.

My only concern with the chain diff is the shafts. I recon one shaft would end up being very long..


Help…I need to make a decision and stick to it…

Chain diff or prop and car diff.

Paul

I know this has been covered before but I still can make my mind up.......

drive system
drive system


minitici - 13/4/12 at 08:33 AM

If you look at the bike engined single seaters in any hillclimb paddock you will see that the majority of them have unequal length driveshafts.

Single seaters have such good traction that torque steer tends not to be a problem.

There are a couple of chain drive differentials which allow the sprocket to be fitted outboard of the left side bearing carrier thus moving the differential central to the chassis.


Paul (Notts) - 13/4/12 at 09:06 AM

If I go chain drive do I use ford sierra rear hubs or is their an other option?

Paul


matt_gsxr - 13/4/12 at 09:14 AM

According to this book


Fiesta bits work well. Very hands on approach, I'd recommend it.


iank - 13/4/12 at 11:32 AM

Have a look here for some useful information.
http://www.westgarage.co.uk/index.html


Lightning - 13/4/12 at 11:53 AM

or there is these guys. they say they will modify my escort cain diff for RS trubo LSD for £250 . Probably gove it a try

LINK


russbost - 13/4/12 at 01:15 PM

Generally bike engines suffer with far less surge probs if they are the same way round they were in the bike, hence I feel chain diff works better. You could buy all the BMW bits as you suggest, then just take the LSD out of the casing & modify it for chain drive - we use the standard Toyota MR 2 diff this way in the Furore & keep standard length driveshafts.


MK9R - 13/4/12 at 03:05 PM

Less power loss through a chain drive, on a 170hp engine you will see about 7-9hp more at the wheels using a chain compared to a conventional diff


zilspeed - 13/4/12 at 04:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by minitici
If you look at the bike engined single seaters in any hillclimb paddock you will see that the majority of them have unequal length driveshafts.

Single seaters have such good traction that torque steer tends not to be a problem.

There are a couple of chain drive differentials which allow the sprocket to be fitted outboard of the left side bearing carrier thus moving the differential central to the chassis.



Douglas

I am informed that a certain Reynard 903 which we are about to see runs a jackshaft and secondary chain.
For equal length driveshaft I presume ?

Also, when Mr Murray's car eventually breaks cover, equal length driveshafts too.
You probably already knew this anyway


Hope the old bugger stills knows how to pedal.
He's up to his oxsters in filler and body moulds as we speak