General Car Related Discussion. To discuss anything that is related to cars and automotive technology that doesnt naturally fit into another forum catagory.

The atlas or baby atlas axle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-08-2009 | 01:13 AM
  #1  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default The atlas or baby atlas axle

Can anyone give me any info on these
I am after some info on what kind of power they can handle diff wise
What car were they originaly fitted to etc etc
Or would a ford 9" be better for track and santa pod?
Your thoughts please
Old 02-08-2009 | 09:30 AM
  #2  
markk's Avatar
markk
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,638
Likes: 105
From: Lancs
Default

the atlas comes in many differant forms, with many stages of modifications, the best being (as you would expect) the most expensive, fully floating twin taper.

to be honoust they are not the best, the design is very old and alot of the parts are remade still but can be substandard, if your car is has good torque and your going to be using sticky tyres for launching constantly then this is not for you.

have a look at some of the sellholm/tractive axles. or even better make it more modern - independant
Old 02-08-2009 | 10:46 AM
  #3  
Retro Al's Avatar
Retro Al
RWD IS KING
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,657
Likes: 3
From: Yorkshire
Default

The atlas and baby are the same axle just differant lenths,and they can cope with serious power, nearly all the cosworth powered escorts run a atlas,ring tom at http://www.fostek.co.uk/ hes the man to talk to, if your doing a lot of drag racing and your going to be running massive wide slicks then a 9" would be better but they are very heavy and ive heard parts are hard to get
As far as indepentant goes its been done loads and its never been any better than a live axle,i know ricky hutch has a full bmw rear set up on his mk2 escort and it was having trouble with it and was thinking about going back to a live axle
Old 02-08-2009 | 11:06 AM
  #4  
costina's Avatar
costina
Live long and prosper!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 372
From: area 51
Default

i've a atlas in mine with a 2.8i lsd been fine with no probs but i'm only running 330bhp they are very strong tho don't Kevin with the red mk2 have good power and run a atlas??

Paul
Old 02-08-2009 | 11:39 AM
  #5  
markk's Avatar
markk
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,638
Likes: 105
From: Lancs
Default

if all you want is straight line then yes, stick with the live axle.
Old 02-08-2009 | 12:20 PM
  #6  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

Originally Posted by Alg1k
Can anyone give me any info on these
I am after some info on what kind of power they can handle diff wise
What car were they originaly fitted to etc etc
Or would a ford 9" be better for track and santa pod?
Your thoughts please
Know nothing of the atlas.

But the 9" will sap a lot of power to drive it. There are other alternatives, that are almost as strong, but more efficient.

The GM 12 bolt, The Ford 8.8" and perhaps some of the DANA offerings.

The 8.8" is working fine for me.

Also look into which axle offers the best selection of ratios
Old 02-08-2009 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
dave cos4x4's Avatar
dave cos4x4
Professional Waffler
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 26,872
Likes: 30
From: Liverpool
Default

Dingy may be good for advise on the axle you need too.
Old 02-08-2009 | 04:18 PM
  #8  
the original's Avatar
the original
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
From: NWFP
Default

i don't rate mine
Old 02-08-2009 | 10:29 PM
  #9  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

What to do what to do ????
Im not having any trouble with the Hilux axle but fu** me is it heavy
As the car is having a revamp im thinking of upgrading the axle but which one
I want to do some pod and track days so need a compromise on the two
I also want to lose some weight out of the car
Im on a diet but i dont think that will help much
Old 02-08-2009 | 10:34 PM
  #10  
marco polo's Avatar
marco polo
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 5
From: birmingham
Default

Originally Posted by Alg1k
Can anyone give me any info on these
I am after some info on what kind of power they can handle diff wise
What car were they originaly fitted to etc etc
Or would a ford 9" be better for track and santa pod?
Your thoughts please



yo yo darren ah kid


do what we use to do with the old mk1 mk2 escorts with V8's in them

get a ford mustang axle 9" or the 8.8" and shorten it

we never broke them at all built proof

strong as fook these axle and there loads of ratios available for them aswell


marco
Old 02-08-2009 | 10:40 PM
  #11  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

If you want to save weight, here is an example of one option ( based in the US, although Im sure there are UK sources too who could fabricate )

This one is based around the 9" stuff. Its a fully fabricated rear axle.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/gears-...-new-pics.html



Although the basic Ford 9" housing isnt too heavy anyway I think, and would probably be more than adequate.

There is lots of good info and links within that site.

Some Moser based offerings.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/gears-...ance-plus.html

Again, whilst these are primarly aimed at Camaro's, obviously they can be custom built to fit pretty much anything.

Or for info on the Ford US stuff,

http://forums.corral.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=303


If your budget stretches, there are so many options really.

I ended up with an 8.8", I modified the housing to the width I wanted myself. Im using Mark Williams 31 spline shafts and a Ford Racing Torsen diff.

Moser shafts are a lot cheaper, but I twisted their 31's although they would probably work fine on your car.
That said...I did run multiple low 10's with their 28's too before they twisted. So maybe there are quality control issues as well.
Old 02-08-2009 | 10:45 PM
  #12  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

Summit even sell complete new assemblies. Although given you'd want to have drive flanges to suit your wheels etc....it may be better to buy a used unit and build from there.
Or just take the hit and upgrade from new

http://www.summitracing.com/search/P.../?keyword=axle
Old 02-08-2009 | 11:02 PM
  #13  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

Cheers Marco ,Stevie ,
Maybe the ford 9 then
Some good reading there
Has anyone got the weight of a fully built 9 or 8.8 axle,
Old 02-08-2009 | 11:07 PM
  #14  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

Mine is bloody heavy. The centre section is cast iron, and the tubes are fairly thick.

The 9" basic uses a pressed steel housing. It also benefits from a removable centre section, which would make ratio swaps easier. Normally this is cast iron, but you can get alloy ones.

If you contacted some of the axle fab shops, they could give you weights etc.

GM 12 bolt would be similar to my 8.8" I think in design, although maybe a little lighter. Both are apparently a lot more efficient than the 9" though, so would sap less power to drive.
Old 02-08-2009 | 11:13 PM
  #15  
puddy's Avatar
puddy
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 1
From: surrey
Default

If you are going to use the 8.8" (9" would be over kill unless you are doing

all out drag racing) speak to andy robinson mate , 01256 880589

puddy
Old 03-08-2009 | 01:05 AM
  #16  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

Originally Posted by stevieturbo
Mine is bloody heavy. The centre section is cast iron, and the tubes are fairly thick.

The 9" basic uses a pressed steel housing. It also benefits from a removable centre section, which would make ratio swaps easier. Normally this is cast iron, but you can get alloy ones.

If you contacted some of the axle fab shops, they could give you weights etc.

GM 12 bolt would be similar to my 8.8" I think in design, although maybe a little lighter. Both are apparently a lot more efficient than the 9" though, so would sap less power to drive.
Need to source an 8.8" then
Is it possible to get them over here ?
My axle i havnt weigh it but with it fully built with brakes took 2 of us to lift it off the bench
I tried to lift it onto the bench my self and it was impossible even putting one end on at a time
No wonder they could not destroy the Hilux on top gear i think its made out of armour plate

Cheers Puddy will have a chat
He does the 8.8" axles ?

Last edited by Alg1k; 03-08-2009 at 01:06 AM.
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:21 AM
  #17  
puddy's Avatar
puddy
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 1
From: surrey
Default

Originally Posted by Alg1k
Need to source an 8.8" then
Is it possible to get them over here ?
My axle i havnt weigh it but with it fully built with brakes took 2 of us to lift it off the bench
I tried to lift it onto the bench my self and it was impossible even putting one end on at a time
No wonder they could not destroy the Hilux on top gear i think its made out of armour plate

Cheers Puddy will have a chat
He does the 8.8" axles ?
Yep,andy will tell you all you need to know

puddy
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:41 AM
  #18  
Twellsie's Avatar
Twellsie
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,271
Likes: 9
From: Nuneaton
Default

Daz, Chad runs a very simikar setup to this on his stock cars



he has them bult buy a company called RCD, they use the cast diff housing, cut off the cast tubes and weld on fabricated tubes to your length/spec, with torque arms, compliant links, output shaft etc as required
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:10 PM
  #19  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

Andy Robinson can build you a fully fabbed axle like in the pic too. I seen one he did on a guys Porsche. Expensive I'd imagine though.

Not sure if the 8.8" comes in anything here in the UK. But Im sure any of the people who deal with US parts suppliers could get some used ones cheap to start work with.

I'd have preferred the 9", purely for ease of ratio swaps. But at its current spec, the 8.8 is working fine.

You can opt for larger shafts with a 9" ie 33spline or more, which you cant with the 8.8"

But at 33, there are virtually no LSD offerings, its nearly all spools. You dont want that, they're bloody horrible.
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:40 PM
  #20  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

Originally Posted by Twellsie
Daz, Chad runs a very simikar setup to this on his stock cars



he has them bult buy a company called RCD, they use the cast diff housing, cut off the cast tubes and weld on fabricated tubes to your length/spec, with torque arms, compliant links, output shaft etc as required
That sounds good
Must find RCD and get a quote
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:42 PM
  #21  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

Originally Posted by stevieturbo
Andy Robinson can build you a fully fabbed axle like in the pic too. I seen one he did on a guys Porsche. Expensive I'd imagine though.

Not sure if the 8.8" comes in anything here in the UK. But Im sure any of the people who deal with US parts suppliers could get some used ones cheap to start work with.

I'd have preferred the 9", purely for ease of ratio swaps. But at its current spec, the 8.8 is working fine.

You can opt for larger shafts with a 9" ie 33spline or more, which you cant with the 8.8"

But at 33, there are virtually no LSD offerings, its nearly all spools. You dont want that, they're bloody horrible.
Stevie do you know if there is much weight difference between the two axles at simlar lenghts,
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:47 PM
  #22  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

Honestly no idea.

Obviously with 9" parts, you can use a pressed steel case, or a fully fabbed case with alloy centre piece for the diff unit, which will undoubtedly be lighter.

With the 8.8" or GM 12 bolt, you're stuck with the heavy steel/cast casing, and not much you can do to lighten it I think.

Just depends how much money that weight reduction costs.

Some also say the pinned tubes in the fixed types like mine are a weakness. They weld the tubes to the centre, and some add braces too.

I DIY welded mine, although I never experienced any problems with the pins just. My crappy welding has probably weakened it if anything lol

I wouldnt actually say my casing is overly heavy. But the diff itself is heavy, the CWP is heavy, the shafts are heavy lol.

But thats gona apply to them all.
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:51 PM
  #23  
marco polo's Avatar
marco polo
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,644
Likes: 5
From: birmingham
Default

hi daz

if you want me to ask the twins ill will galdy do so , they know where to get the axles from .... as my mate he fits these axles to the Mazda Rx7's with the tunned lS1 engines in them

marco
Old 03-08-2009 | 08:54 PM
  #24  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
C**t
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 261
From: Norn Iron
Default

some 8.8" setups in this thread

http://forums.corral.net/forums/show...ght=axle+brace

http://forums.corral.net/forums/show...ght=axle+brace
Old 03-08-2009 | 09:01 PM
  #25  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

Originally Posted by stevieturbo
Honestly no idea.

Obviously with 9" parts, you can use a pressed steel case, or a fully fabbed case with alloy centre piece for the diff unit, which will undoubtedly be lighter.

With the 8.8" or GM 12 bolt, you're stuck with the heavy steel/cast casing, and not much you can do to lighten it I think.

Just depends how much money that weight reduction costs.

Some also say the pinned tubes in the fixed types like mine are a weakness. They weld the tubes to the centre, and some add braces too.

I DIY welded mine, although I never experienced any problems with the pins just. My crappy welding has probably weakened it if anything lol

I wouldnt actually say my casing is overly heavy. But the diff itself is heavy, the CWP is heavy, the shafts are heavy lol.

But thats gona apply to them all.
Cheers Stevie
The reason im being so anal is that im building another car and need it to be as light
and as reliable as poss
The old Dolomite was let down with weight
Perhaps i will have to use one of these heaveeeey axles and just live with the extra weight
Old 03-08-2009 | 09:02 PM
  #26  
Alg1k's Avatar
Alg1k
Thread Starter
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2
From: In my garage, coventry
Default

Originally Posted by marco polo
hi daz

if you want me to ask the twins ill will galdy do so , they know where to get the axles from .... as my mate he fits these axles to the Mazda Rx7's with the tunned lS1 engines in them

marco
Cheers Marco if you could do that it would be great
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mk1turboestate
Cars for Sale
12
02-12-2015 08:31 PM
atm
General Car Related Discussion.
1
01-09-2015 04:56 PM
TrevCos
Non Ford parts & other stuff for sale
2
22-08-2015 06:05 PM
Old ford
Ford RS Cosworth Parts for Sale
0
31-07-2015 06:50 AM



Quick Reply: The atlas or baby atlas axle



All times are GMT. The time now is 01:48 AM.