Mk2 Cortina Diff limits? What are they?

[robw]

Hi!
What would be the HP limit of the Mk2 Cortina diff? I need to hold 180-200hp. Is there any way of having it rebuilt to handle this? I'm having a hard time finding a suitable donor to have a diff shortened to fit under the bum that's not big dollars. Will be turned by a rover 3500 engine and auto.

[sowen]

No idea on what the Cortina axle can handle but what's the width hub face to face, somebody my have a suggestion for a possible suitable donor axle?

[v8ian]

Ooooh, The axle will support as much power as any other ford dif, normally its the spider gears that break, an LSD will help prolong the life of the axle, an auto box will be a big help to the longevity of the axle too,
Axle narrowing, I did mine myself, but had custom shafts made to suit my axle, failing that, Ford, in their wisdom made many different width english axles, and a measure and swap about could yield results, Might be worth looking at a mk1 Cortina, as they used the same chassis as the mk2 so it should bolt on, TBH I'm not sure if the axle is narrower, but the mk1 body is narrower than the Mk2, another option is a Mk1 3ltr atlas, its about an inch wider than the stock mk2 but the 2.8 lsd fits.

[robw]

Well I have the original diff under there at the moment, and I've been looking up the Savage and Perana and they seem to just use the standard diff? I'll try to find an LSD centre maybe as a start. I've got motivation again to try putting a Rover 3.5 in, so I'm looking at diff options. Rumour has it that a 70's/80's Borg Warner 8" will fit in the housing?? I know the track is 1295mm or 51" at the rear, so about that lol.
Over here toyota Hilux diffs are a preferred donor but will still need shortening to fit the corty. Somehow I feel upgrading the centre might be the way....unless my engineer wants to go to a 5 stud pattern of course....

[v8ian]

I ran a celica hatch axle, but that was narrowed using Moser custom made shafts, that handled 300hp, manual box and hundreds of drag racing launches.
I'm fairly certain that a 8" wont fit inside an English casing, however, I think Mustang 2, 8" axles are 52" and most are 4 stud, its not too hard to find LSDs either, this axle also must be easier to narrow as its a common axle to narrow, along with the 9"

[robw]

Thanks Ian
...so any ideas on how many ponies the standard will hold with minimal abuse?
....also any ideas on what an LSD would hold?




....just done some more research, and I think I have a salisbury under there, not a banjo (english). I didn't realise there were two types. Will check when I get home. The salisbury will be stronger, right? 

And the rabbit hole goes deeper... Salisbury=Borg Warner=Baby Atlas.  Atlas diffs are highly regarded but apparently the 'baby atlas' has the same diff gears as the english banjo (according to one source)? Any idea if other stronger centres fit? Very confusing. 


....and now it's only a baby atlas if the backing plate is round. Something else if it's squared off - pretty sure mine is...a Koln diff I think they call them?? Pics don't look like mine either. I think this is going to turn into a 'what diff is that?' thread lol.


This is not mine - but it looks like mine....
s449.photobucket.com/user/kruptd83/media/DSC01851.jpg.html