StevieH Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Hi im sorry if this has been on here before but im new so please bear with me. Im putting an Xe , manta 1.8 gearbox and 1.8 back axle into a chevette and would like not to use the torque tube . So hears my question can you do away with the torque tube and have a prop from the gearbox direct to the back axle ? If yes what do i need . thanks in advance cheers steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutts Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 best bet is an isuzu piazza turbo back axle, same width as chevette/kadett but 5 linked and lsd if you are lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cact1972 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 best bet is an isuzu piazza turbo back axle, same width as chevette/kadett but 5 linked and lsd if you are lucky. My mate has just sold one (with LSD) on ebay for £400 buy it now! Sold in 20 mins!!! Just to give you an idea of price etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzta Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) The manta rear axle is alot wider will it even fit ? As far as i know you cannot remove the torque tube, you can however reinforce it. Edited March 2, 2011 by monzta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieH Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 The axle is wider but the car has hsr arches on so its fine everything else lines up ok , just putting in a large transmission and exhaust tunnel and doing that takes away the mounting holes for the torque tube thats why i wanted to remove it . Oh well better start looking for a different axle then cheers guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doveyte2800 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 hi, The axle from a Relient Scimiter 5a is the same width as a Manta a and is 5 linked if required. You will need bottom and top links either fabricating or buy a escort kit. The beauty of this axle is its cheap and you can fit many jag lsd diffs, the downside is its HEAVY. Ps. ths is the axle type used by the works on their Chevette rally cars. Hope this gives you some ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cact1972 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 (edited) hi, The axle from a Relient Scimiter 5a is the same width as a Manta a and is 5 linked if required. You will need bottom and top links either fabricating or buy a escort kit. The beauty of this axle is its cheap and you can fit many jag lsd diffs, the downside is its HEAVY. Ps. ths is the axle type used by the works on their Chevette rally cars. Hope this gives you some ideas I have a 4HA axle virtually the same width as manta/ascona b, off a scimiter going on my Ascona .They are very strong and a Dana LSD also fits as does the jag powerlok as mentioned above. Retropower have a good knowledge of these axles so maybe worth getting in touch with them. And yes they are heavy!! Edited March 3, 2011 by cact1972 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantaray Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 yes it is possible to fit the axel without the torque tube. but you have to 4 link it. I am fitting my axle this way as this is how it was fitted to the Chevette that it came off. This might help you: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieH Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Cheers Mantaray , i thought it would have to be 4 linked if it was possible but i was worried about how the prop shaft joined the diff now the torque tube was not there. any photos of your axle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cieranc Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) I've been thinking similar, and asked on the Chevette forum: My Defender has a 3 linked front axle with 2x arms and a Panhard rod. Each arm locates on the axle casing in 2 places, preventing axle rotation. Is there a reason why this wouldn't work on the Manta axle? This extremely professional technical drawing illustrates the Defender front axle: With arms like this: So, could this set up work with the Manta/Kadette/Chevette rear axle: Obviously the Landy arms are heavy / substantial units, but they're keeping upto 3.5 ton in a straight line across rough terrain. Arms such as these could be made from 2 equally bent steel tubes. Any reason why this wouldn't work? Edited March 7, 2011 by cieranc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 That setup works but is very crude. I would not do it that way. A chap called darcy with a rat look chevette saloon has a 4ha on ladder bars like that and to be fair it works, (runs 12 sec qtr miles on 350hp or so) The issue with using a manta axle is that they are not the strongest to start with, so spending time and money modifying one to fit seems the wrong approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cieranc Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) Works but crude, that's my kind of engineering! Was just thinking out loud, as (without hijacking the OP's thread too much) 5 linking is just not an option for me. I want the inside of the car all original, so cutting into the space for the back seat is just not happening Which doesn't leave a great deal of other options. That said, it'll be pushing 150-170 hp so perhaps the standard Manta axle will cope?? I also wondered if a half leaf spring might work, such as with commercial trailers? Edited March 7, 2011 by cieranc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 If you're only pushing 150-170 bhp the standard manta axle with torque tube will be fine. Just make sure the bushes are all in good condition and improve the doughnut in the front of the torque tube and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Yea, with only that sort of power the standard manta axle will be fine, and to agree with the above, either pack out the doughnut or get a polyurethane one in there and there's not much wrong with the std setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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