Need source for aluminum diff housing for CSX/Kirkham cars...

[blykins]

Are there any other sources for these besides Shelby or the Kirkham boys? I need an empty housing, no gears, no diff, etc.

[RICK LAKE]

blykins Who's rearend is it? Junkyard should have a rearend. I don't know what it is but if special, go get something that you can easily get parts for. I thought that some of the Ford trucks had aluminum rearends that would work. The other way would be going to a Franklin rearend and having the best of both worlds. I have seen this done but it's hard to do in a ERA chassic. Rick L.

[blykins]

It's the Dana 44/Salisbury variation that comes in the CSX/Kirkham cars....you won't find one in a production vehicle.

[KarlCSX2498]

Hello, These guys have one listed on their site.


http://www.ndmetal.co.uk/gallery.asp...&secondaryid=1

good luck, karl

[blykins]

Thanks Karl...

What's the exchange rate again? ROFL

[Jerry Clayton]

Brent---few suggestions

Dana 44 from 88-96 vette
ford explorer
Lincoln/t-bird
GTo
Camaro
Viper

[blykins]

The Explorer is an 8.8 IRS and that's probably the direction I'll head. Ford Racing has the aluminum 8.8 center section with cover for $299....that's a lot better than $2500....

[Jerry Clayton]

A lot of car builders(not cobras) are using the C6 suspensions with the viper center--reason is the trans /rear are coupled on the C6 and crowds your wallet pocket while driving altho of course the building does do some relief in that area

[jdean]

John Chesnut I believe has designed a plate that allows the Corvette pumpkin to be divorced from the tranny for a conventional drive shaft set up if you are interested in that direction.

[Jerry Clayton]

Here you go Brent

E-bay #170574863882

only 1000 miles

[gsharapa]

The guy that built my car actually builds one himself that is identical to the CSX/Kirkham rearend. I'd be happy to give you his email via PM as he sell parts individually of the cars.....

[blykins]

Gary, if you would, that would be great....

[RICK LAKE]

Blykins If this rear is this hard to get, what happens if you break it and need to replace?? The other thing is Aluminum center sections. They tryed this in the 70's major problem with Buick cars. Every 5-10 years they try again and have gotten better, been 40 years. Have seen GTO center section replace with a little extra hard driving and better tires. Heavy car to start. Vettes are the same issues for the C6. Better to go with a C2 or C3 and buy the 12 bolt upgrade. This is the one they use for drag racing. Good for 900HP. IMO if you are going to do light driving and no abuse, go aluminum. If you are going with 600HP, the only rearend for this would be an Full size Ford expodition. You would need to look at gear ratios. Outside brakes, strong axles, large CV joints, and can haul 10,000.Can find them in Junk yards and cheaper than other rearends.
The other question is cooling this rearend if you go aluminum, Expension rate again is up to .002" and this is enough to get carrier walk, cap walk, back lash chance. LPW sell rear carrier covers with support bolts to load caps for carrier, well worth the $200.00. Been running one for 14 years, no failure yet. Cooler system will be about $500.00 if you do the work. Good Luck Rick L.

[blykins]

Rick, I'm trying first to go this route....I know guys with CSX cars that put over 700hp through them without issues. If price turns out to be the determining factor, then I'm going with an 8.8 IRS. I don't sweat the aluminum center sections, I run aluminum 9" center sections without issues.

[LMH]

McClusky (sp?) used to cast his own. You might try calling him to see if he has a 4HU case for sale.
If you do use the 8.8 Ford, go with the 31 spline unit from an SVT Cobra. They are stronger and aluminum. CV joints are a little hard to find though.
Larry

[blykins]

I've sent out a few emails....we'll see what comes back. I'm not going to spend as much time on searching as I know the Dana 44 style center sections are $$$$.

I'm really heading towards the 8.8 stuff. Ford Racing sells their new aluminum center section with pinion flange and diff cover for about $275. I like starting from the ground up and building my own stuff, that way I know what parts are in it and how it's been treated.

[bret a ewing]

Blykins,
What type of cobra is this going into? If it is basically a CSX4k frame and you can find a stronger more cost effective alternitive please let me know I may need a replacement in the (hopefully not too near) future. I'm not sure of the durability factor of the Shelby aluminum 3rd member. I polled the Shelby Owners Group forum on this subject, with no response back.
My car is seeing more open track the last couple of years and I have durability concerns from increasing the tire compounds from Goodyear GTII's to Avons and now Hoosiers.
I can feel the rear really load up when applying full throttle on wide uphill sweepers. I'm not sure how much this thing can take.........not so much the Dana 44 but the alum housing itself.

[MAStuart]

If you are using or building a original style frarme is why you need the original style center section . A jag can be used (dana 44) with the right mounts. Or do you want the alloy for the weigth reduction. Mark

[vector1]

Originally Posted by MAStuart

If you are using or building a original style frarme is why you need the original style center section . A jag can be used (dana 44) with the right mounts. Or do you want the alloy for the weigth reduction. Mark

on an 8.8 the wt. difference between an aluminum & iron piece is not that great, big strength difference though.

[Jerry Clayton]

Alum weighs 1/3 what steel weighs