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I've had owned my kadett c1 hatch since I was 15 (19 now) and have had it on the road only once for a few months in the summer with the 1256 four speed and I've decided that it's going to need a bit more get up and go...
I want to be able to use the car daily when its finished and not have to stop at every petrol pump i pass so the plan at the moment is a 1.8 blacktop from a focus (got one for free) on a 32/36 dgav carb running a nodiz ecu for the sparks.
Gearbox wise I'm thinking 6 speed rx8 which can be had pretty cheaply and will likely need the tunnel enlarged but not sure on hydraulic or convert to cable clutch yet.
I've been offered an atlas axle from a Capri which I believe is a 52" casing so will likely need shortened or some wider arches... thinking of four linking it but not sure on how the best way to do this is?
I want this car to be sort of a fast road car but might come South in the future for some track fun and shows ( I live in orkney) so I'm thinking to strengthen the shell the same as the sportpart manual. if anyone has a pdf of this it would be great to get a copy?
Very welcome to any advice or productive criticism so fire away!
Will upload some pics when I can remember how...
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hagus
Part of things
Posts: 35
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Sounds cool mate, back in the day people used to put the manta a series axle in chevette, so good luck finding one of those... Lol
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Yea I've heard that but finding one up here is even more impossible! Thinking to go atlas for ease of parts if needed and future upgrades like an lsd or possibly more power if I feel it's not enough... 🤣 it's just wether or not I'd need to shorten it or put wide arches on that I'm not sure about 🤔
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Sounds like this could be a nice project  And looking forward to it. |
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I would just put an English axle on there. The width should be right and if it's a pretty standard Zetec on the road it shouldn't brake shafts( unless your hooning it about doing donuts etc ). If you go Atlas you need to shorten it so you need to buy shafts. If your buying shafts then you think- may as well go 18 spline. If you go 18 spline you need to change the diff - LSD. Before you turn round you've spent the best part of 2 grand ( guess how I know). With an English it will coat you £100 and a weekend rewelding brackets etc. You will have to link it with either axle as you will no longer have the torque tube. I'd use a 3 link - standard bottom arms and one in the centre on top of the axle as the easiest option.
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I would just put an English axle on there. The width should be right and if it's a pretty standard Zetec on the road it shouldn't brake shafts( unless your hooning it about doing donuts etc ). If you go Atlas you need to shorten it so you need to buy shafts. If your buying shafts then you think- may as well go 18 spline. If you go 18 spline you need to change the diff - LSD. Before you turn round you've spent the best part of 2 grand ( guess how I know). With an English it will coat you £100 and a weekend rewelding brackets etc. You will have to link it with either axle as you will no longer have the torque tube. I'd use a 3 link - standard bottom arms and one in the centre on top of the axle as the easiest option. I understand where your coming from and appreciate the advice! The reason that I was planning on an atlas is that I've been offered one for a very good price (around what you'd say an English would cost) and that way it would be future proof if I decide to run more power down the line or go hooning around burning rubber ect which is a possibility... 🤣 I've heard that you can narrow the 52 inch by cutting an inch off the splined part of each halfshaft and narrowing the casing the same as there is enough splines on the shaft to still fully engage the diff? We have a large lathe where I work so getting things straight shouldn't be too much of a problem! If anyone has any info on this it would be great to hear! Interesting about the 3 link setup, sounds a bit simpler than the 4 link and I'm guessing it would make it easier to retain the rear seat? It would be good too see if you have any pics or diagrams of the setup? |
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Even if you cut 2" out of the axle your still at 50"( I guess you worked that out too😊). An English is 48.25" standard. You need to measure your axle to see what it is already. The measurements are flange to flange not hub to hub. You can shorten the English the same way if need be. I did similar myself on my Escort. I didn't cut the axle but removed the wheel bearing, machines the 0.5" off the bearing seat and replaced which effectively shortened it by 1". Until I put in a bigger engine and the week fell off😄.
I've no photos of the 3 link sorry. My brother used it on his Morris Minor autograss with Honda S2000. Enough grip to make it wheels off the line and demolish Atlas axles. A lot of class 3 autograss cars use this set up and I think Toyota starlet hot rods may have too.
Keep us posted of any developments
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Thanks for the input, I'm still weighing up ideas atm so I'm open to any suggestions! The kadett is 1370mm hub to hub so that's around 54 inches. I'm not 100% on what a 50 inch atlas would be hub to hub but surely wouldn't be far off that? English axle would likely be well up to the job but living on an island at the top of Scotland isn't ideal for sourcing classic car parts haha I've also heard of schimitar 4ha axles are the right width and might know where one is sitting unloved..
On another note which site is best for hosting photos? I've tried Flickr but I can't seem to find the link to attach to forums?
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Thanks for the input, I'm still weighing up ideas atm so I'm open to any suggestions! The kadett is 1370mm hub to hub so that's around 54 inches. I'm not 100% on what a 50 inch atlas would be hub to hub but surely wouldn't be far off that? English axle would likely be well up to the job but living on an island at the top of Scotland isn't ideal for sourcing classic car parts haha I've also heard of schimitar 4ha axles are the right width and might know where one is sitting unloved.. On another note which site is best for hosting photos? I've tried Flickr but I can't seem to find the link to attach to forums? I just load pics straight on here from my phone. I'd have thought you'd add probably another 6" in total to the overall width. You could also try other axles. Volvo, 4ha off a scimitar (se5?) the Works HS chevette used one off a mk2 jag I believe until they went Atlas |
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Last Edit: Feb 4, 2018 21:02:20 GMT by jonsey
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Hi! I am thinking the same job of zetec what you did. Did you get it done? How you did the mounts and would you send some photos under hood to here!
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Why zetec? Xe would be my 1st choice!
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