paulgsi Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 thinking of changing to an atlas on my own car just for better availability of ratios and lsds, just wondering has anyone on here converted theres and is it just a case of swap over the brackets from manta axle on to atlas and add just two top link boxes , any pictures of it done ? was thinking volvo also but they are thin on the ground where i am and i dont think parts are as readily available as an atlas, what are ye boys using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Have a word with Chris Birckbeck as he has produced internals for the Manta/Kadett C axles that are much stronger and is currently being used in historic rallying. http://www.teambirkbeck.com/ Regards Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascona400r Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Paul - try getting an atlas axle out of a 2.8i Capri which has the lsd already in it. They are getting harder to find though. On the green Ascona i built i used a 2.8i Capri axle and changed the cwp to a 4.7 Also bough a set of 2 piece shafts which are stronger than the std shafts. Yea you need to add top link boxes for the top links, but the setup just won't work by leaving the bottom arms the same as the std Manta. You ideally need to get 2 Commodore bottom arms which also need lengthened from memory. I know of 2 people who just welded the original spring holder to the atlas axle and had the swivel point in front of the spring holder as in the original car - doesn't work. They both changed to Commodore arms same as the 400 setup and bingo, job done. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autocrosser Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I'm currently converting my rallycar to FF atlas http://forums.mantaclub.org/topic/33861-cav-coupe-rallycar/ I'm using 400/ commodore arms and top links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgsi Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 ya im wondering why all the converted axles use all those commadore arms , why does it not work out with the original manta lower spring seats , ? is there any alternative to the commadore arms as i dont think ill find them to easily ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascona400r Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 ya im wondering why all the converted axles use all those commadore arms , why does it not work out with the original manta lower spring seats , ? is there any alternative to the commadore arms as i dont think ill find them to easily ! Not entirely sure on the physics of it but i know it affects the travel in the axle. Never came across the problem personally as i always used commodore arms but read it one on a forum and it always stayed with me. Some of the BMW rear arms will do your job, bit of fiddling required but they do work - or just buy these and alter them.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270245747573?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1633wt_952 Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bones Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I have just had a look on the Birkbeck website and noticed that a used steel torque tube is £380!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgsi Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Was looking at it again and your right Brian it couldn't possibly work with standard trailing arms and just the top links but it would work ok with a propr 4 link kit plus the two standards spring seats and trail arms and a pan hard rod , I'm going checking out a 2.8 Capri axle during the week hopefully it has a limo , , your car must go like stink with a 4.6 in it , the opel axle is crazy for parts , a set of bearings is nearly 400 quid , LSD is another 700 and very limited in cwps unless you have another 600 or so to spend , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascona400r Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Was looking at it again and your right Brian it couldn't possibly work with standard trailing arms and just the top links but it would work ok with a propr 4 link kit plus the two standards spring seats and trail arms and a pan hard rod , I'm going checking out a 2.8 Capri axle during the week hopefully it has a limo , , your car must go like stink with a 4.6 in it , the opel axle is crazy for parts , a set of bearings is nearly 400 quid , LSD is another 700 and very limited in cwps unless you have another 600 or so to spend , Definately need different lower arms thats for sure. I suppose with the correct top and bottom arms then any axle with lsd & cwp options woukld do the job as long as close to the correct width. Just depends how much you want to spend i guess - the atlas axle definately is one option to take due to the amount of parts available for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutts Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Salisbury 4ha axles are cheap (heavy but cheap) take great amounts of power ratios are readily available from 2.88 through to 5.70, I bought a good 4ha for £100 lsd ( powerloc) for £150 and 4.55 to 1 ratio for £70. full bearing kit is just a tad over £100 and £200 for it to be built and set up correctly. almost unbreakable they recon. plus side is that if you buy one with 5 stud drive hubs almost same as a 400 for the ronals to fit on. buy a TJM front hub kit and a 400r comes more believable on looks alone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason b Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Out of interest, what internals does Chris Birkbeck modify? I thought it was pinion bearings that caused most of the problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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