View Single Post
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 05-26-2003, 07:55 PM
David Kirkham's Avatar
David Kirkham David Kirkham is offline
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery
Original Shelby Owner


 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Provo, Ut
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham, 427
Posts: 6,990
Not Ranked     
Smile

Gents,

We have run quite a few tests and all diffs run hot. You can run a cooler...BUT!!!

I don't think it is required. We have run them for years and never had a probem. Thomas has tracked his many, many times without a problem and he doesn't have a cooler.

Also,

Beware of a differential oil cooler on a street driven car. Tracks are relatively clean, (rocks, nails, assorted crap). One puncture of your oil cooler and you will run out of differential lube. If you are lucky, you will hear the differential going south. You only have about 5 seconds before it COMPLETELY SIEZES. (Ask Lynn Park about his Freeway experience in a Cobra.)

You can not run a differential dry for 100 yards without DESTROYING it. (Just ask on of our customers who forgot to read the "NO OIL IN DIFFERENTIAL NOTE ON HIS WINDSHILED IN ABOUT 5 INCH LETTERS" (He didn't make it around the block on the test drive.)

If you catch a rock in your engine oil cooler, you can generally hear it and look at a gauge and realize you have to shut it down. No such luck with a differential. Siezed differential, (or oiled down rear tires) makes for a real bummer of a day. Blown up engine sucks. Siezed differential and you very well may end up with an unexpected visit to the "Underground Condo."

David
__________________
David Kirkham, President Kirkham Motorsports
Manufacturer Aluminum Body Kit Cars and supplier to Shelby* for their CSX4000, CSX7000, and CSX8000 289 and 427 Cobra
*Kirkham Motorsports is not affiliated with Ford or Carroll Shelby or any of their trademarks.
"Fear is the thief of dreams."
Reply With Quote